ANIMAL WELLNESS
For a long, healthy life!
DENTAL HYGIENE:
Why it affects his overall health
VACCINES FOR
SMALL DOGS
How to assess your dog’s
MOBILITY
A landmark study reveals the truth!
5 BEST TIMES
TO TRAIN YOUR DOG
Easy-to-use DENTAL GELS AND SPRAYS
Tips on using conventional meds safely
Calming Games
CATNIP
for hyper dogs
for DOGS
Massage
for arthritis
– how it eases pain and stiffness
ffeline elilinne WELLNESS Hip, cool and healthy!
FEB/MAR 2016 Display until March 9, 2016
CAT
CHAT
DENTAL HEALTH
$6.95 USA/Canada
MADE SIMPLE
HOSPICE for cats
It’s a growing option for aging or terminally ill kitties
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 1
AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
THE
OUTDOOR
CAT DEBATE
BONUS INSIDE!
Finding solutions that benefit everyone animal wellness
89
Contents February/March 2016
Features 18 DENTAL DISEASE LINKED TO ORGAN PROBLEMS
Tooth and gum issues may harm your dog or cat’s kidneys, lungs, liver, heart and even his immune system.
22 5 BEST TIMES TO TRAIN YOUR DOG
Training is necessary, and the lessons you teach him should be practiced regularly. Here are the best times of day to do it.
24 HOW’S YOUR DOG’S MOBILITY?
His posture, range of motion, and the way he moves can have an influence on his overall well-being.
47 COUNTING ON QUALITY
Celebrating 20 years in business, this company takes pride in producing premium, all-natural pet food and treats for dogs and cats.
68 BROOKE, THE DENTAL THERAPY DOG
This “snuggly” golden retriever calms the fears of young patients at a pediatric dental clinic.
If you can’t brush your dog or cat’s teeth, these easy-to-use no-brush dental gels, drops and sprays may be the answer.
48 SHOULD SMALL DOGS RECEIVE AS MUCH VACCINE AS BIG DOGS?
This new ground-breaking study reveals they shouldn’t!
Canines offering comfort to grieving families is a growing trend.
32 CHIROPRACTIC
54 ACUPRESSURE-MASSAGE
A look at the three body types defined by Ayurvedic medicine, along with four herbs used in this modality.
28 KEEP HIS TEETH CLEAN
WITHOUT BRUSHING
STRENGTHENS HIS IMMUNE SYSTEM
Spinal misalignments can lead to inflammation and infection in an animal’s body. Regular chiropractic care naturally helps prevent illness.
36 CATNIP IS GOOD FOR DOGS TOO!
This common herb offers a range of natural health benefits to canines.
38 USING CONVENTIONAL
MEDS SAFELY
Drugs like antibiotics, NSAIDs and steroids are sometimes necessary, but it’s important they’re not used indiscriminately.
44 CALMING GAMES FOR HYPERACTIVE DOGS
Over-excitement can be a problem if your dog won’t settle down. These three games help by rewarding relaxed behavior.
4
62
animal wellness
FOR PUPPY MILL SURVIVORS
Combining veterinary care with this gentle therapy can help heal these dogs, both physically and emotionally.
74 THERAPY DOGS IN FUNERAL HOMES
78 AYURVEDA FOR ANIMALS
90 FELINE DENTAL HEALTH MADE SIMPLE
58 ADOPTING MADE EASY Shelters and recues find homes for more
Cats seem prone to problems with their teeth and gums. Here’s how to help prevent these painful conditions.
62 MASSAGE FOR
More people turn to palliative care for aging or terminally ill felines.
animals by bringing them to special events and venues, and featuring them on social media.
ARTHRITIC DOGS
Does your canine companion have osteoarthritis? Massage therapy helps ease the pain and stiffness.
65 LEARNING CANINE MASSAGE AND ACUPRESSURE
These modalities offer many healing benefits to dogs. This school teaches both with onsite and online courses.
94 HOSPICE FOR CATS
96 THE OUTDOOR CAT DEBATE – PART I
Addressing problems caused by feral, stray and free-roaming felines – and finding solutions that benefit both cats and communities.
38
50
28
Columns
12 Yakkity yak 42 Warm & fuzzy 50 Rewind 60 Passages 72 To the rescue 80 Book reviews 93 Cat chat
Departments
98 Feline Wellness
41
Product picks
90 Social media
66
Animal Wellness resource guide
77
The scoop
82
Social media
83
Marketplace
86
Events calendar
86
ClassiďŹ eds
87 Tail end
book reviews
Tips, contests and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine News, events, and tips! @ AW_magazine
Tips, pet photos, and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine Crafts, laughs, and more! AnimalWellness
8
Editorial
animal wellness
5
Dental disease linked to organ problems
D gs Cats
Tooth and gum issues may harm your dog or cat’s kidneys, lungs, liver, heart and even his immune system.
By Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA
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animal wellness
Do you factor your dog or cat’s dental wellness into his overall health regime? If not, his internal organs are at risk of potentially life-threatening damage. Veterinarians have established February as Pet Dental Health Month, but you should strive to take care of your companion’s teeth and gums all year round in order to avoid the potential for kidney, lung, liver and heart problems.
EFFECTS ON ORGANS AND IMMUNITY One of the most severe aspects of periodontal disease involves the toxic effects oral cavity bacteria have on the internal organs and immune system. Bacteria escapes from the mouth and enters the blood through inflamed gums or exposed blood vessels in fractured teeth, and circulates around the body. It also causes inflammation in the lymph nodes and vessels in the neck and other parts of the body. "Dogs and cats with periodontal disease are more likely to have histopathologic changes in the heart, kidneys and liver," says veterinary dentist Dr. Curt Coffman, when discussing the deleterious health implications associated with oral cavity bacteria. “Histopathologic changes” are cellular abnormalities seen during microscopic examination of body tissues. Dr. Coffman’s perspective that periodontal disease "can shorten a pet’s life by affecting vital organ systems” is good motivation for committing to a daily, lifelong home dental care regime for dogs and cats. Continued on page 20.
How periodontal disease develops
Periodontal disease affects the gums (gingiva) and the structures underneath the gumline that hold the teeth in place (periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, etc.). It’s primarily caused by an accumulation of oral cavity bacteria (plaque). • Within hours of eating or tooth-cleaning, plaque accumulates on tooth surfaces. Plaque is thin and translucent, which means it often isn’t visible to the naked eye, but it can be seen as a tan residue when the teeth are wiped with a soft, white cloth. • If not removed, plaque gradually thickens and turns into opaque tan to brown dental tartar. • Calculus subsequently occurs when tartar mineralizes, appears yellow to brown, and feels abrasive (sandpaper-like) to the touch. • Gingivitis (gum inflammation) is present during all steps of periodontal disease, and weakens the otherwise firm attachment the periodontal ligament creates by attaching the tooth to the underlying alveolar bone. No dog or cat should be forced to endure the more advanced stages of periodontal disease. Along with bad breath, anorexia (decreased appetite), difficulty chewing or swallowing, ptyalism (drooling), and behavior changes (lethargy, exercise intolerance, mood changes, etc.), the deeper, potentially life-threatening problems covered in this article can also arise.
animal wellness
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