Archive for the ‘Educational Handout’ Category

by Dr. Christine Heinz

Supplements and vitamins seem to be a popular subject lately.  Everyone is interested in a remedy that will help them live longer, healthier, and happier lives.  In regards to our four-legged friends, there are a myriad of supplements available with the same intention – longer, healthier, happier lives.  Probably the most common category would be joint supplements – glucosamine-based supplements as well as omega fatty acids (fish oil).

Animals with joint injuires will have inflammation and damage to the cartilage and will begin to develop arthritis.  Joint supplements can help protect the joint against the onset of arthritis.  Glucosamine-based supplements help protect the cartilage and lubricate the joint.  Omega fatty acids help to decrease inflammation due to damage. Read the rest of this entry »

by Brad Phifer, CPDT-KA

I have never had a dog owner come to me and say, “I want an ill-mannered dog that pulls on leash and jumps on everyone.” Most owners want a well-trained dog, and understand dog training is a necessary component of dog ownership. Training your dog ensures he is learning a vocabulary of cues or commands that you will utilize to teach him how to behave in your home. Most dogs learn to perform during training sessions, quickly realizing what it takes for them to gain the reward, but fall short when it comes to being well-mannered in life. Read the rest of this entry »

The old phrase, “variety is the spice of life,” is truly exemplified by the canine species as a whole.  Case in point: the dog’s head.  As we all know, dog heads come in all shapes and sizes, but did you know that there are technically three major categories that they fall in to?  They are as follows: 1) Mesaticephalic—a skull of intermediate length and width.  This classification includes dogs like the Beagle, the Labrador Retriever, and the Rottweiler; 2) Dolichocephalic—a relatively long skull.  This classification includes dogs like the Greyhound, the Whippet, and the Collie; and finally, 3) Brachycephalic—a skull that is broad and short.  This includes dogs like the Pug, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog and Shi tzu.  The brachycephalics have been bred to have compressed faces, shallow eye sockets, and narrow nostrils (or nares) which, although making them all-the-easier to love, also seriously predisposes them to difficulty recruiting fresh oxygen into their lungs.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. David Lee

Feline lower urinary tract disease, also known as FLUTD or feline interstitial cystitis, is a syndrome affecting cats that is often mistakenly thought of as a bladder infection.  Cats who suffer from this will exhibit signs of bloody urine, straining to urinate, urinating and defecating outside of the box, and frequent urination. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Christine Heinz

Hip dysplasia is a painful and debilitating disease characterized by severe degenerative changes or osteoarthritis in the hip joints.  It has been proven that dogs that have very tight hips, where the head of the femur is well seated in the hip joint, are at a very low risk for developing degenerative joint disease.  The opposite also holds true in that dogs that have very loose hips, where the head of the femur can “wiggle” around in the joint or subluxate, are at a very high risk for developing degenerative changes.  While not every dog that has a high degree of laxity in the hip joint is doomed to problems, being able to detect those that are at risk helps us to do the best we can to prevent or decrease future problems.  PennHIP is one of the tools we have at our disposal to help to combat this disease. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Sara Rudwell

Many dog parents may take advantage of opportunities for socialization of their pooch with other dogs.   Dog parks, daycare, training classes, and the like can be wonderful options for giving your dog much needed mental and physical stimulation.  Along with the many positive aspects of socialization between dogs, though, all pet owners should be aware of some health risks that may come with all the “puppy play”.   Included in these risks is the transmission of oral viral papillomas, or mouth warts.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Elizabeth Murphy

At the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center, we focus on preventive medical care and health education for our clients so that they can be proactive about their pets’ health. In keeping with that philosophy, I have been thinking a lot lately about the most important things that owners can do early in, and all the way through, their pet’s life, to ensure that I, as the clinic’s geriatric practitioner, will get to take care of them later!  I think this boils down to “the Three P’s”:  Pounds, Pearlies and Prevention of Peril!  That is:  keep weight under control, keep the teeth clean, and detect health issues early so that their progression can be stopped, or at least minimized.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Elizabeth Murphy

Most of us know that snacking can be dangerous for our waistlines, but not all of us are aware that it can be dangerous for our pets as well – not so much because of the snacks themselves, but because of the packaging.  Anyone who has tried to open a potato chip bag in the last few years knows that the materials that snacks now come in are practically impossible to tear open. This is great for keeping air out of the bag when you are a snack, but not so great if you happen to be a dog or cat. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Sara Rudwell

Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is the earliest sign of periodontal disease in dogs and cats.   When the gums become inflamed, this indicates that plaque, calculus, and/or bacteria has migrated underneath the gum and is causing irritation.   As you might imagine, this can be painful for your pet!   Although gingivitis is reversible with home care and/or a professional dental cleaning, if left untreated it can progress to more serious, irreversible stages of periodontal disease.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. David Lee

Periodontal disease is one of the most common yet under diagnosed and undertreated diseases affecting our pets today.  Periodontal disease begins with the insidious process of plaque buildup. Plaque, a mixture of food particles, cells from gum tissue, bacteria and an armor-like slime coat, is the fuzzy substance we feel on our teeth each morning when we wake up.  Its formation is a process that is constantly ongoing.  Within 48 hours plaque hardens into tartar which is tightly adhered to the teeth.  When tartar is allowed to accumulate, your pet’s gums get inflamed and infected.  Consequently the gums begin to recede, and when left unchecked will ultimately result in gum and bone recession and finally tooth loss.  This is accompanied by a significant amount of pain. Read the rest of this entry »