Pet Club News January 2010

Kitten teeth should be white and clean, with the upper incisors meeting the lower incisors evenly. The gums and mouth tissue should be pink, or dark if pigmented; a pale color is a sign of anemia.

If possible, accustom your kitten to having its teeth cleaned on a regular basis at home. Gently rub the pet's teeth with your finger. As she learns to accept this, use a soft cloth or a child's soft toothbrush dipped in a solution of baking soda and water or use a toothpaste especially for dogs and cats. Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans. Because cats swallow rather than spit out the preparation, this can cause stomach upset.

Occasionally a kitten will retain some deciduous (baby) teeth after the permanent teeth have appeared. This may damage the soft tissues of the mouth and may even accelerate wear of permanent teeth. A veterinarian should be consulted to determine whether or not removal is necessary.

Oral Hygiene

Inspect your cat's mouth regularly for tartar buildup or a condition of the gums and brush your cat's teeth with the proper brush and toothpaste (made specifically for cats) once or twice a week. Consult with your veterinarian about the correct home-cleaning process or professional cleaning.

Dry, crunchy foods can be helpful in keeping teeth clean by scraping against the teeth and acting like a toothbrush to help remove plaque. Still, there is no substitute for regular dental care.

Dental Problems

Lesions on your cat's gums or foul-smelling breath can be early warning signs of a potential problem. The most common dental problems cats experience result from plaque and calculus buildup. If left unchecked, plaque and calculus buildup can eventually cause inflammation of both the gums (gingivitis) and the membrane lining of the tooth socket (periodontitis).

The infection resulting from these conditions may spread to other parts of the body such as the kidneys or valves of the heart.

Dental problems may also result from injury, foreign bodies such as porcupine quills or foxtail, malnutrition or systemic health conditions that infect the mouth as well as other parts of the body.

Common warning signs of dental problems in cats include:

Red, swollen or bleeding gums
Drooling
Bad breath
Loss of appetite
Dark spots on molars
Raised sores in mouth

Cats and Dangerous Greenery

A cat who nibbles household plants may suffer from oral problems not related to a periodontal health condition. Diffenbachia, or "dumb cane," can cause severe irritation and ulceration to a cat's mouth. The cat may salivate and have trouble swallowing. Prompt veterinary attention is needed. Click here to learn about the plants that should be kept away from your furry companion. For a more complete list of plants that are dangerous to cats, consult your veterinarian.

Dental Care . (n.d.). Retrieved December 23, 2009, from

http://www.purina.com/cats/health/DentalCare.aspx

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Breed of the Month: Dalmatian

Appearance:

Dalmatians are the only spotted breed recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club), and are known for their great endurance, speed and intelligence. Their heritage of both sport and servitude make them ideal for both a family pet and a performance breed. They thrive in agility and obedience training, so keep that in mind if you're considering making one a part of your family. Their short coat is white with black or brown spots.

History:

Spotted dogs like dalmations have appeared throughout history in many different parts of the world, and have been given many different names. The dog known today as the dalmatian has had many different jobs, including a draft dog, shepherd, ratter, firehouse mascot, bird dog, trail hound and retriever. Most notably, he is the only coaching dog. His love for horses remains a basic instinct to this day, and this breed is a natural follower and guardian of any horse-drawn vehicle.

Dimeanor:

Dalmatians are fun loving and people oriented. These dogs thrive in a family environment, and are very high-energy. Because of this, they require daily exercise on a leash or in a fenced area. Dalmatians make adorable puppies and loyal pets. They are a great addition to any household.

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Do It Yourself: Liver Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup cooked chicken livers
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cooked carrot, mashed
1 tablespoon soft margarine

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 325* F. Place cooked livers (should be cooked to well-done) in a blender with water and blend. Combine flour and margarine in a bowl and add liver mixture and carrots. Knead dough into a ball and roll out to 1/4" thick. Use a round cookie cutter or an upside-down glass to cut dough into circles. Place cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Makes approximately 12 cookies.

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Pet Refuge Adoption Spotlight: Gizmo

Poor little Gizmo was abandoned outside by the family who adopted him. To make matters worse, not only did he have to fend for himself in a world he was not accustomed to, but he was also injured! Gizmo was brought to Pet Refuge by a kind hearted person who found him in bad condition. Gizmo may have had some broken bones, but he is "on the mend" now and will be as good as new very soon. In spite of that, his spirits are good and he's a very affectionate, friendly kitty.

To get more information about Gizmo and other animals available for adoption at Pet Refuge, visit the Pet Refuge website: www.petrefuge.com or call (574) 256-0886.

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Ask Dr. Paws

Dear Dr. Paws,

Why does my dog keep scooting along on her behind?

Sincerely,
Britt in Niles

Dear Britt,

If your dog sits on her behind and then drags her rear across the floor, she is probably itchy, and one of two things may be going on.

The most common cause of itchy bottoms in dogs is clogged anal glands. When your dog defecates, her anal glands, or sacs as they sometimes are called, deposit secretions on the stool. These secretions help other dogs recognize who your dog is, her age, and her gender. But sometimes those glands get clogged and need to be expressed by a veterinarian.

Another possible reason for bottom-scooting dogs is tapeworm. If you notice worm segments that look like small grains of rice in your dog’s feces, bring a stool sample to your veterinarian for testing.

Answer courtesy of Purina Petcare

http://www.purina.com/dogs/behavior/ScootingDogs.aspx

To get your advice from Dr. Paws, simply email your question to us. Each month we’ll select a question to answer right here on our website.

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Upcoming Events

Martin's Paw Mart on State Road 23 in Granger

1/4 Pet Palace Nail Trims 5:00-6:00 P.M.
1/9 Humane Society Pet Adoptions 12:00-2:00 P.M.
1/16 Boston Terrier Rescue, Dream Paws Rescue 11:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M.
1/19 Aussie Nail Trims 4:30-6:30 P.M.
1/30 Pet Refuge Adoptions, Heartland Small Animal Adoptions,
Classic Critters Pet Photography 12:00-2:00 P.M.
2/5 Animal Aid Pet Adoptions

Martin's Paw Mart on Cleveland in Saint Joseph (MI)

1/2-1/3 Animal Aid Adoptions, ½ Price Christmas Items

1/9 Save A Stray Adoptions

1/23 Humane Society Pet Adoptions

Martin's Paw Mart on Bristol Street in Elkhart

1/2 Great Lakes Greyhounds 11:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M.,

Earthborn Dog Food Demonstration 11:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

1/16 Pet Refuge Guild 11:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M.

1/23 Second Chance Small Dog Rescue 10:00 A.M.- 2:00 P.M.,

Earthborn Dog Food Demonstration 11:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

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Featured Pet of the Month:

Isabella Scarlet

Age: One Year
Submitted by: Danielle & Joseph Gipson
In a Nutshell: According to Danielle, “This is Izzy, our one year-old Black Lab and Shepherd mix. We adopted Izzy in May from Pet Refuge. They didn't know much about her life before she came to Pet Refuge, but she started out having very little confidence around new people and would bark because she was afraid. Thanks to her foster mom's care and attention, she received some training while still at Pet Refuge and is continuing to get better. If you can get her to smile, she will show you her polka-dotted tongue! She loves to chase the laser pointer light around the house and go to Grandma's house and play. She has two cat friends at home and has brought joy to our lives since the day we met her."

If you have a great pet and want it featured in our newsletter, simply email us a photo. Each month we’ll be featuring a different furry (or slimy, or scaly…) friend right here in our Pet of the Month Feature!

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