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Veterinary
Q & A: Should I Call The Vet? Part III
My
pet isn't acting "normal", but s/he doesn't seem sick either...
Please see the archive for more
Q & A topics.
If
your pet is sick or injured, you take them to see the veterinarian,
right? What about the times when, while not 100% "normal",
your pet isn't obviously sick, either? If you are a new pet owner or
you have just adopted a new pet, you may not even know what is
"normal" for that pet yet.
Learning
to observe what is normal and to consequently distinguish illness and
normal behavior in beings that can't talk takes time and patience. The
purpose of this article is to serve as a basic guideline to know when
to consult your vet to see if an examination is in order.
You
should always consult your veterinarian should you have any questions
about your pet's health.
This
is part III of this series. Please see Part
I and Part II for more "should
I call the vet?" scenarios.
My
dog has bad breath. Do those 'doggie breath mints' at the pet food store
really work?
My main
concern would be not how to cover up the bad breath, but rather to find
out what is causing the foul odor in the first place. Tartar buildup,
infected gums (gingiva), loose and diseased teeth, infected oral tumors,
and some systemic diseases, such as kidney problems or diabetes, can
cause a change in a pet's breath.
The most
common cause of malodorous breath are tooth and gum problems. True,
if your dog just snacked in the cat's litter box, temporary bad breath
can result! A trip to your veterinarian will determine the cause
of your pet's bad breath and if it is a medical issue. If your pet's
gums and teeth are determined to be the cause, a dental cleaning will
likely be recommended.
Is
a dental cleaning really necessary? Why do they have to put my pet under
anesthesia?
The first
answer is yes. Not only is the bad breath a problem, but an infected
mouth (teeth, gums) can result in other, 'larger' problems, such as
tooth loss, bone infection, as well as heart and liver infection from
the overload of bacteria in the infected tooth socket and gums.
Anesthesia
is necessary to do a complete dental cleaning in pets. This includes
full oral exam, treatment/removal of diseased teeth, removal of plaque
and tartar, and finally polishing the teeth. Animals, no matter how
well-trained they may be, simply do not open up their mouth and put
up with the noise and possible discomfort involved with a full dental
cleaning. Most veterinarians recommend a pre-anesthesia blood panel
and possibly antibiotics prior to a dental to minimize risk of anesthetic
problems and reduce the risk of serious infection.
Related
Reading
Veterinary
Q & A: Dental Care For Pets
The
Importance of Dental Care for Pets
A
Dental Letter
A letter written for
owners of pets examined and found to be in need of a dental cleaning
- by Jennifer Fry, VMD
My
cat urinated in the bathroom sink today. Last night it was the laundry
basket. Is he mad about my house guests?
While cats
have been known to urinate inappropriately to show their displeasure
with a new pet, house guest, living situation, etc. I would recommend
having your cat seen immediately by your veterinarian. Especially
male (neutered or intact) cats. Why? Because cats are prone to urinary
infections, stones, and in some cases, urethral blockages. Male cats,
because they have a long, narrow (and curved) penis, can accumulate
fine silt or an actual stone that can become lodged in the urethra,
blocking urine flow. This is a life-threatening condition that
can result in death within 24-72 hours.
While your
cat may not act like s/he is in a life-threatening situation, changes
can occur rapidly, and time is important. Early signs seen with urethral/bladder
problems include, but are not limited to:
- urinating
in odd places
- straining
in the litterbox, producing nothing (be aware - this is often confused
with constipation!)
- licking
genital area excessively
- crying
when urinating or when picked up
- not
eating, vomiting
Please
do not delay in speaking with your vet about what you are noticing in
your cat. For weekends and holidays, call your vet's regular number
- they will have a number or instructions for how to reach emergency
care. This can be a very time critical situation and the earlier treated,
the better!
Related
Reading
Urinary
Diseases and Conditions of Cats
Related
Forum Discussion
Cat
urinary problem?
We've
seen light blood in her urine recently...
Where
can I go for more information?
Being
informed is your best bet for keeping your pet as health as can be.
Here are some resources for further information about pet care and diseases.
Dog
Diseases and Conditions - A to Z
Cat Diseases and Conditions -
A to Z
Veterinary
Medicine Forum - ask your questions here
Veterinary Q & A - Archive
- Many topics to choose from!
Text: Copyright © Janet Tobiassen Crosby. All rights reserved.
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