Vet Med Direct

Importance of Maintaining Pets' Healthy Gums Too Great to Be Ignored

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Periodontal disease, the leading health condition affecting three-fourths of dogs and cats age three or older (1), is often the result of pet owners not regularly providing at-home oral care and veterinary assessments and treatments. Plaque on pets' teeth forms as bacteria and food particles coat the teeth and develop a biofilm. If not cleaned off, plaque irritates the gum line and can cause gingivitis and harden on the tooth surface to cause tartar. With more accumulation, gingivitis may progress to periodontal disease. Diseased gums can act as a bacterial superhighway into the circulatory system of the pet that may ultimately adversely affect vital organs.  

Among the growing body of evidence is a study (2) published this year in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association on dogs with various grades of oral health. The research showed that diseased and inflamed gums are associated with inflammatory affects in other parts of their body, like the kidney. Fortunately, the study also showed that when gum disease is treated, the systemic reactions lessened, particularly as more severe gum disease is treated.  

"Gum disease, which research tells us can affect more than just a pet's mouth, is initiated by plaque accumulating on teeth and not being cleaned," said Dr. Jan Bellows, veterinary dental specialist and incoming president of the American Veterinary Dental College. "The good news is every pet parent has the power to keep their pet's teeth clean and gums healthy. It starts with daily at-home oral care with brushing or Veterinary Oral Health Council ( www.vohc.org ) -approved dental products. And each pet should have a veterinary oral exam at least annually with professional cleanings as advised."

Product News from The GREENIES® Brand

The GREENIES® Brand recently introduced the fifth generation of GREENIES® Canine Dental Chews. The most powerful teeth-cleaning formula ever, it carries the Veterinary Oral Health (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance for reduction of plaque and tartar build-up and is clinically proven to help maintain healthier gums. The highly palatable, natural recipe with added vitamins and minerals is nutritionally complete and balanced and is available in veterinary clinics and pet specialty stores nationwide.

What's the cheapest pet store? - Buy Cheap Pet Food - Cheap Pet ...

Somebody just gave me a dog yesterday. If you had read my blog, I said that I have a female chihuahua, now I have amale chihuahua that was given to me. It’s tan with a little dot of white. I just love dogs but I want to go to a store that’s only a few miles away from my home with cheap prices. I have a budget of 5.00 but I’m planning to spend about $ 10-$ 20 bucks on the whole supply. I have already bought a collar for about 5.00 bucks! It’s a big ripoff!! I need o buy a bed, clothing, and a leash for my dog. Where can I buy my doggy supplies?

Best answer:

Answer by ♪♫♪PompomPup♪♫♪

Sometimes petco and petsmart have good deals, but a lot of times they’re overpriced. Check the pet areas in local department stores like Walmart, Kmart, etc. They have all those essentials there. Or you could always look on ebay. They have tons of things there, and it’s not all used, either. A lot of it is brand new and selling for cheaper. Overstock.com has some pet things for inexpensive too, sometimes. And shipping there is always super cheap. Good luck!

Look, you don’t have to have the name brands if you are on a budget! You don;t need name brands at all! Go to Wal-Mart, the Dollar Store, or any other general store.

But, sometimes, a better quality, name brand collar, will most likely last way longer than an off-brand collar. Try Pet Co. or Vet Med Direct. Also http://www.kvvet.com has some good stuff.

I recommend using Lupine collars and leashes, they can be a bit pricey, but it is a lifetime guarentee, even if chewed! That means, if anything on the leash or collar brakes, you can send it back free, and it get a new one FREE!!! I have one, they have really cute styles too!Lupine is at the Kv vet website

Dog beds can be anything. A blanket or an old pillow, a fuzzy rug, your bed! They can be found pretty cheap on sale. Try signing up for sale emails for several pet stores, usually they have pretty good sales.

As for treats, training treats anyway, just cut up some genaric hotdogs into itty-bitty bits, especially for Chihuahua!

Hope I helped!

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Schalm's Veterinary Hematology

Antimicrobial therapy in veterinary medicine

Textbook of small animal surgery

Chemical abstracts