February is a busy month in the world of pets and pet care. This
is National Pet Dental Health Month, and it’s also National
Spay/Neuter Month. How important are these events to pets? Well,
let’s look at both and see.
February is a busy month in the world of pets and pet care. This is National Pet Dental Health Month, and it’s also National Spay/Neuter Month. How important are these events to pets? Well, let’s look at both and see.
Dental Care
Healthy teeth and gums are very important to pets. Tartar on the teeth can give Fido or Fluffy a lot more than just bad breath. Plaque-covered teeth causes inflammation of the gums, a condition called gingivitis. It’s just the same as in people – with time, gingivitis leads to more serious dental disease, including loose roots or even tooth abscesses. Worst of all, in pets, gingivitis can also contribute to the development of kidney or liver disease. This is a lot more serious than just simple bad breath.
Preventative dental care is easier than ever these days. Among other solutions, there are special foods that can help keep teeth free of tartar or plaque. But if a dog or cat already has this brown substance on its teeth, the pet needs to have a teeth-cleaning before other problems develop.
Take a look at your pet’s teeth. If there are any brown stains or blemishes, or if your pet’s breath smells like a pair of old dirty gym socks (or worse!), call your veterinarian and schedule an examination and evaluation. You’ll be doing your furry friend a big favor.
Spay/Neuter Care
February is also Spay/Neuter Month, and pet owners are encouraged to take their pets to a local clinic and have them altered. Year after year, we talk about the terrible overpopulation of dogs and cats. And each year, we hear about the huge number of kitties and puppies that are euthanized because they can’t be placed in a good home.
A number of celebrities have given their time to help this cause. Betty White, Doris Day and many others have often talked about the importance of spay and neuter surgery to help control an exploding pet population.
Yet for one reason or another, many people fail to take their pets in for this easy and inexpensive procedure. They overlook several huge benefits. Spaying and neutering are simple surgeries that simplify life for pets and their owners. Male and female dogs and cats are a lot happier to be with their owners after this surgery because they no longer have any hormonal influence to distract them.
Think about it for a minute: Intact female dogs and kitties can spend more than 50 percent of their life reproducing. After estrus and breeding, their pregnancy lasts about nine weeks. Then they nurse and raise their young for two to three months.
During this time, life isn’t the least bit simple. The mother’s metabolism is focused on her offspring, literally draining her of her own energy. And soon after weaning the litter, many of these girls go right back into estrus, look for a mate and start the whole cycle again. No time for playing with toys. No time for just hangin’ out and being a good companion pet. There’s always “work” to do.
Life for male dogs and cats isn’t any better. These fellows are driven by their testosterone to look for a mate anytime a female is anywhere in the neighborhood. Their hormones don’t allow them a chance to ever completely relax. They are driven to reproduce. Their only hope? Neutering. “Fixed” males don’t have any hormone-fed distraction and are always better pets because of their laid-back attitude.
Spay or neuter surgery also eliminates the possibility for serious health problems in later years. Altered pets never suffer from geriatric problems such as uterine infections or prostatitis.
There are lots of clinics offering special incentives for spays and neuters this month. So do it. Call one right away and do the right thing. Have your pet altered.
Q&AÂ
Q: We have a pet bunny who lives in the house, but she also is allowed outside to play on the lawn. We take our dog and cat to the vet once a year for a checkup and
vaccinations. Should we be doing the same for Betty Bunny? Does she need any vaccines?
A: I always recommend an annual health check for pets. This allows your veterinarian to evaluate your pet’s overall health. Annual checkups help detect early health problems before they get out of hand. So, a checkup is a good idea, but Betty probably won’t need any vaccinations when she goes in to see the vet.
There’s only one virus vaccination given to some bunnies occasionally. It helps prevent a disease called myxomatosis. This disease is caused by a pox virus, but it is usually only spread by direct or close contact with other infected rabbits.
If Betty is strictly a homebody and never travels to rabbit shows or other places where there are lots of other bunnies, she has little risk of contracting this disease. Talk with your vet if you have questions about the myxoma virus and whether Betty needs to be vaccinated.
