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February 2025 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
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Celebrating National Pet Dental Health Month
Most folks think of February as the month of love, but in our office, we celebrate Pet Dental Health Month. Dental health is incredibly important for dogs, cats, and all pets. More than 80% of dogs have gum disease, and 70% of cats have bad dental health by their third birthday. If pets have bad bacteria in their mouths, it will inevitably affect other parts of their bodies. Here are three tips to improve your pet’s dental health in our office and at home. Be Proactive: I visit my dental hygienist every six months for a checkup, but many pet parents only bring their pets in when they have a problem. Remember, proactivity is always better than reactivity. Every human year is comparable to 5–7 years for dogs and cats; their bodies grow old more quickly than ours. So, for your pet, that annual checkup is actually a seven-year check-in. Even if you bring in your furry friend annually, too much time passes between visits. A dental visit every year is fine for young animals, but we recommend coming in at least every six months as they age. Smaller animals should see us more often because small dogs have more trouble maintaining good oral hygiene. Whenever you bring them in for an exam, we will always check their teeth and mouth.
and tartar buildup on teeth. We take X-rays to look for problems under the gum line.
While 50% of human teeth are visible with the naked eye, only 25% of pets’ teeth are above the gumline, so these X-rays are
critical. Checking out the roots of the patient’s teeth will show any problems below the gum line.
We use anesthesia for this procedure and cleaning because pets don’t cooperate and hold their mouths open for us while we work. We understand you may be nervous about this, but we do this out of necessity. The anesthesia process is as safe as possible with an IV catheter and monitoring. Brushing: We should brush daily, and your pet should, too. A baby toothbrush or other soft bristle brush works well for an animal’s teeth. Silicone brushes can slip on your finger, which may be easier than a longer brush for smaller dogs or cats. Your pet won’t volunteer to brush on its own; pet owners must take charge. Use toothpaste formulated for pets — not human brands. Another option is an oral rinse or water additive, which we have available. Making time to clean your pet’s teeth will pay off in the long run, both in health and in fresher breath! This month, celebrate National Dental Health Month by taking advantage of our 20% discount on any dental procedure. We look forward to helping your pet achieve good dental health and enjoy a longer, healthier life!
Regular Cleanings: We do X-rays, extractions, and cleanings in the office, just like any other dental practice. During the cleaning, we remove plaque
“This month, celebrate National Dental Health Month by taking advantage of our 20% discount on any dental procedure.”
1 WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM – Dr. Jeff
As a pet owner, the thought of your pets no longer being with you is something you don’t like thinking about. After all, you’ve had them their entire lives. Now, imagine the roles are reversed. What if something happens to you first, and you can no longer care for your pet? It’s a daunting thought, but pet estate planning is designed to ensure your pet is well taken care of in the event of your passing or incapacitation. Who will care for your pet? Before discussing the legal and financial aspects of pet planning, the first step is to consider who will get physical custody of your pet. Like planning for children, you must be comfortable with the caregiver. Have they interacted with your pets before? How do they treat their pets? Family and friends will likely be your go-to, but never assume they will take on the responsibility of your pet. Whomever you’re considering, be sure to have an intentional conversation with them about your wishes. Determine the finances for the lifetime of your pet. How much is enough? First, do the math to figure out how much you spend caring for your pet now. Then, take that amount and project how long your pet is likely to live to determine a number. Also, consider reasonable compensation for the person caring for your pet. Life insurance and retirement plans are excellent financial sources for funding your pet’s lifetime care. Establish a pet trust and trustee. Unlike life insurance and retirement plans as funding sources, pet trusts legally shore up the financial obligations of caring for your pet. Ultimately, the money you leave the caretaker isn’t a lump sum they can spend anywhere; it provides accountability for how they spend it. Your caretaker can be the trustee, too, but it could create a conflict of interest. A professional trustee is probably best to ensure funds are distributed according to your wishes. Explore Funding Options and Pet Trusts Planning for the Unthinkable
Dusty Laufer has seen many sides of pet ownership, from running her own dog-grooming business for six years to working in a veterinary clinic for more than a decade. When she and her husband found the perfect house just a half-mile down the road from our Cedaredge location, she PROVIDING LOVING CARE FOR PETS BIG AND SMALL Meet Dusty Laufer
was pleased to find a job with us that was a good fit, too. Dusty started as a receptionist last month, checking patients in and out, helping fill prescriptions, and answering the phone. She sees our pet parents in many circumstances, from joy over a newly adopted puppy to sadness at having to euthanize an aged pet. “I just love helping the people and the animals,” she says. “It can be hectic, but you just keep going until you get it all done.”
Dusty knows all about getting it all done. To start her dog grooming clinic, she went to school and learned grooming techniques for dozens of breeds. Among her most memorable clients was a Great Pyrenees. Known for their weather- resistant double coats, males of this breed tip the scales at 100 pounds plus, and this guy hadn’t been cleaned up for a while. “It took us hours to get him bathed and brushed out,” Dusty says. Her favorite story is about accidentally setting off a fire alarm while grooming a Welsh Corgi. “His coat was so bad, we were in a small enclosed space, and his hair was flying all over the place!” Life with her own pets these days is much quieter. She and her husband adopted a heeler mix named Lexington, or Lexi, as a puppy, from a shelter in Texas. “She is a hoot. She talks to us, and you swear she understands what we’re saying,” Dusty says. They also have owned a 22-year-old cockatiel since he was a fledgling. Asked what she is looking forward to most about her new job, Dusty says learning more about our clients and their pets. “Getting to know them is the fun part.”
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FURBALL FRENZY How Often Should You Groom or Bathe Your Cat?
Grime-Covered Fur: If your pet has climbed up a chimney, had a bad litter-box accident, or soiled their fur while ill, you may be forced
Most cats take fairly good care of their hygiene, but even the most fastidious felines benefit from regular grooming sessions. Periodic brushings keep your cat’s coat free of loose hairs and dead skin cells. These sessions also help maintain a close bond with your cat and aid in noticing external parasites or unusual lumps or bumps on your pet’s body that may be a sign of health problems. But what about bathing your cat? While most pet parents prefer to avoid having to dunk their feline friends, some cats need baths every now and then to prevent parasites, infections, or matting in their fur. Long Silky Coats: Cats bred for their long, soft hair may have trouble keeping their coats clean and tangle-free. In addition to brushing your cat daily to prevent tangles around the armpits, backs of the legs, or ears, teach your long-haired cat to tolerate baths when they are young. Many pet parents with older, long-haired cats prefer relying on a professional grooming service. Long-haired cats that get stubborn mats in their fur or refuse to be brushed can also benefit from frequent haircuts.
to bathe them. Don’t bathe your pet until any mats and burrs are removed, however. These will be even harder to remove after a bath. Large or heavily matted tangles or burrs may need to be cut out. Use clippers rather than scissors to avoid accidentally cutting your cat’s skin. Overweight or Old Age: An elderly cat may have difficulty reaching all parts of their coat, and overweight kitties often have similar problems. Also, if your cat has arthritis, they may be in too much pain to attend to their own hygiene. These pets may require more frequent baths and can benefit from frequent grooming. If you need to bathe your kitty, use only a hypoallergenic shampoo specially formulated for cats, and get some advice from your vet on minimizing trauma to your pet. Also, don’t hesitate to enlist a second person to help!
Clients Spreading the Word
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
UnNtiloFtiucrether Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on Saturdays until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Brenda Miller Sequoia VanManen Martha Young Steffani Lehr
• At the time of scheduling a
dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least a 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
• Due to the increasing cost of
credit card processing, there is now a 3% service charge added to all clinic services and products. If paying with cash, check, or PIN debit, there is no charge.
We Reward Referrals!
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17800 HANSON RD. CEDAREDGE, CO 81413
1 inside this issue 3 Ways to Ensure Your Pet’s Dental Health
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Pet Trusts: Who Will Care for Them?
Meet Our Receptionist, Dusty!
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When Bathing Your Cat Is Worth the Battle
New SCVC Policies
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A Cat’s Pilgrimage From Yellowstone to California
Susanne never lost hope and recalls a moment during their trek home when she saw a double rainbow in the sky. “That’s a sign for our Rayne Beau that he’s going to be okay,” she said. LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN A Determined Feline Finds His Way Home No Matter the Distance NC aenwc eAl l aptpi ooni nPt mo leinc yt When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
Cats are known for many things: their independence, impeccable balancing skills, and endless fascination with shoelaces. However, who would have guessed that our beloved feline friends have an innate GPS built into their brains?
The Anguianos finally got the call they had been waiting for about two months after their Yellowstone trip. Their microchip enrollment company called and said Rayne Beau had been found and turned in to the Placer SPCA in Roseville, California (over 800 miles from Yellowstone and 200 miles from their home)! The next day, Benny and Susanne drove to Roseville to pick up Rayne Beau. Upon arrival, they discovered he had lost 6 pounds, had minor paw injuries, and was malnourished. While seeing their beloved fur baby in such a condition wasn’t easy, the Anguianos made it a point to fit their cats with AirTags and Rayne Beau with a GPS tracker. Rayne Beau’s ability to find his way back home remains a mystery. However, it proves that love (and feline internal GPS) can overcome any obstacle, no matter the distance.
This furry tale of two kitties all started when a California couple, Benny and Susanne Anguiano, decided to take their two cats, Rayne Beau and Starr Jasmyn, on their first trip to Yellowstone National Park. The couple says this wasn’t the cats’ first rodeo. In fact, they loved looking out the big windows of the RV at the different wildlife. However, their epic park adventure turned into a nightmare on this particular trip. Shortly after arriving at Yellowstone, something startled Rayne Beau, and he ran into the forest. The couple searched for him for four days, leaving out some of his favorite treats and toys to lure him back to them.
Unfortunately, Benny and Susanne’s efforts were short-lived, and they had to return home to Salinas, California.
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