SUBWAY’S CORNER
Dental Diligence Pays Off
GRONK AND PAISLEY’S SPARKLING SMILES
Hello, my fellow fur-covered royalty and our beloved humans! It’s your pal Subway, back with another purr-sonal insight into feline health. Today, we’re tackling something close to my heart (and belly) — cat obesity. Yes, it’s a touchy subject, but it’s one we need to talk about because our health depends on it. Why does cat obesity matter? Obesity isn’t just a little extra fluff. Nearly 60% of U.S. domestic cats are overweight, and this can lead to serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and even certain cancers. Being overweight also makes it harder to groom ourselves, leading to skin infections and matted fur — definitely not the look we’re going for! Why are we getting so plump? Let’s be honest: Our humans love us a bit too much with treats and extra meals. Combine those extra calories with a lack of exercise (yes, chasing laser pointers does count as exercise), and you’ve got the purr-fect recipe for a plump cat. My vet mentioned that a healthy Body Condition Score (BCS) for us cats is a 3 out of 5, meaning our ribs should be easy to feel, and our waistline should curve inward. THE WEIGHTY ISSUE OF CAT OBESITY
Gronk and Paisley are two very sweet and happy papillons that are 7 and 6 years old, respectively. They both presented to Dr. McGinty in July for routine
teeth cleanings. Their owners know the importance of dental hygiene and periodontal disease prevention, and both dogs have been receiving routine teeth cleanings since they were about 4 years of age. To prepare for their teeth cleanings, both dogs had blood drawn to check their basic organ functions and had electrocardiograms performed to help determine their heart health. These tests all returned as normal for both and confirmed they were safe to move forward with anesthesia and a full cleaning. Gronk and Paisley were both placed under general anesthesia in which a technician routinely monitored their blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen level, anesthetic depth, EKG, and all other important vitals. Full mouth dental radiographs (X-rays) were performed to determine the health of all teeth and look for any abscesses, tooth fractures, or jawbone loss. Approximately 70%–80% of dental disease lies below the gum line, and dental X-rays are the only way to determine if it is present. Both dogs’ images showed healthy, normal teeth and jaws. Dr. McGinty then performed a thorough oral examination of each dog, assessing the health of each tooth and surrounding gum tissue. He also looked for any oral masses and checked the health of the tongue and tonsils. Gronk did have a chipped incisor tooth that Dr. McGinty removed to prevent pain and secondary infection. The technician performed a thorough cleaning of each individual tooth with an ultrasonic hand scaler. Once the tartar and plaque were removed, their teeth were polished with a special paste designed to help remove any micro-scratches from the tooth crown. This helped to prevent bacteria from attaching more easily after a cleaning. All paste and plaque were then flushed out of their mouths after the cleaning and laser therapy was used to help with any gum inflammation and swelling. A fluoride foam was then applied to help strengthen their teeth. Both dogs recovered well from anesthesia and were very happy to see their owners at discharge, complete with their clean teeth and fresh breath. Periodontal disease and any secondary infection can cause systemic health issues for pets, and it is important to be proactive with oral health. Secondary infection and inflammation can predispose pets to heart disease and kidney disease. To prevent this at home, daily teeth brushing with a pet-approved toothpaste and a toothbrush are the best first line of prevention. “Healthy Mouth” water or food additive is another option, especially for pets that don’t tolerate brushing well. This helps to flush bacteria from the teeth and prevent plaque accumulation. Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)-approved dental chews and toys are safe and effective for pets. This label is on approved products and include Veggiedent Chews, which we carry at the clinic; we send a sample home with all our teeth-cleaning patients. We also recommend avoiding harder objects such as ice cubes, hard animal bones, and antlers as these put pets at higher risk for fracturing teeth. —Dr. McGinty
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