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February is Dental Health Month

Dental Care For Your Pet

Three Steps to Success
Your pet needs dental care - regular, professional care from your veterinarian, as well as care at home from you. The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends that pet owners follow three basic steps:

STEP 1: Take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental exam. Don’t wait for his annual checkup if you suspect a problem. You can bring you pet in for a "Dental Check" at Dilworth Animal Hospital with no exam fee. One of our Veterinarians can evaluate if your pet needs a dental cleaning or just set up a dental regimen at home.

STEP 2: Begin a dental care regimen at home. Your veterinarian can suggest steps that may include brushing your pet's teeth. One of the most convenient and effective ways to combat oral disease is feeding specially formulated foods proven effective in combating plaque and tartar buildup. The Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, an organization initiated by the American Veterinary Dental Society to guide consumers, appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats. For further information on the VOHC or their product standards, visit www.vohc.org.

STEP 3: Schedule regular veterinary checkups. These are essential in helping your veterinarian monitor the progress of your pet's dental health routine. Your veterinary health care team can help you schedule the appropriate visits.

For more information please call Dilworth Animal Hospital at 704-808-7387 or visit www.petdental.com.

Canine Influenza Vaccine

If your dog goes to doggy daycare, boarding facilities, or dog parks, we are now recommending the Canine Influenza vaccine.

The Canine Influenza vaccine involves an initial injection followed by a booster 3 weeks later. If your pet has a current physical exam, you will not be charged an office visit fee.

The Canine Influenza H3N8 virus has only been reported in dogs. It has not been reported in this area yet, however, outbreaks have occurred on the East Coast. With the amount that pets travel these days, it is possible that canine influenza could spread to this area. Symptoms of canine influenza include coughing, low grade fever, and nasal discharge. The virus is very contagious and has spread rapidly through kennels during outbreaks. Most affected dogs only develop minor symptoms. A few dogs have died from severe secondary pneumonia. If your pet develops the symptoms mentioned above, please contact your veterinarian and isolate your dog from other pets.

For more information about canine influenza, please contact your veterinarian or read the fact sheet from the Center for Disease control at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/canine/