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Why Do Dog Dentals Cost So Much?

February 9, 2017

While working at the veterinary hospital, I went over an endless number of estimates with our clients. My goal was to make sure that everyone understood the healthcare and treatment they were purchasing for their pet. I felt that if I could help people understand the costs and how they relate to their pet’s overall care, I could help them better understand not only why their pet needed the treatment, but also, why certain treatments were priced at a specific level.

If you read pet blogs at all, you are probably very aware that February is National Pet Dental Health month. This year, instead of talking about the importance of pet dental health like I have in the past, I thought I would take the time to explain some significant variables in the costs of a dog dental.

Firstly, when you visit your vet’s office for your dog’s annual exam, you vet should always examine your dog’s teeth. When looking at their teeth, they are evaluating the health of your dog’s gums, as well as the level of plaque on their teeth. Specifically, they are looking for any areas that might be causing your dog some pain and discomfort.

Periodontal disease is usually under-treated, and may cause multiple problems in the oral cavity and may be associated with damage to internal organs in some patients as they age.” – American Veterinary Dental College

Many veterinarians recommend annual dentals when they see periodontal disease becoming a regular problem in your dog’s overall health. However, most veterinarians will urge you to schedule a dental soon if they feel the level of periodontal disease has increased to a point where your dog is experiencing sensitivity and probably some pain (not to mention the level of plaque that could be on their heart). No matter the circumstance, you always have a right to request an estimate from your veterinarian regarding the costs of the dental. Some pet parents experience a bit of price tag shock when they receive the estimate. Let’s breakdown a few reasons for the costs, fluctuation, and variability in your dental estimate.

Anesthesia

Time and time again, we would hear at the veterinary hospital, “How could a dental cost this much? I saw a dental available at my pet store for $150!”. (Just to give you an idea; the costs of a dental with anesthesia in the Bay Area would be around $400-$600). What most pet parents don’t know is that a $150 dental is called a “gentle dental”. Which means that your dog is not anesthetized during the procedure. I thoroughly outline the reasons I believe your pet shouldn’t have a gentle dental here.

So what you are paying for when you schedule a dental at your veterinarian’s office is a dental with anesthisia that will allow the doctor and technicians to properly and thoroughly clean your dog’s teeth and make sure that all plaque is removed from the teeth and under the gum line.

Pre-anesthetic bloodwork

Anesthesia is not something to mess around with. I would never encourage a pet parent to pursue a surgery lightly, and nor should your veterinarian. That’s why, many veterinarians recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork prior to any anesthetic procedure. This bloodwork will reassure your veterinarian that your dog’s kidneys and liver are functioning properly (i.e. they can filter the anesthesia through the body without causing problems), and let your veterinarian know that there aren’t any abnormalities that would increase the risks associated with anesthesia.

So, if you have your dental estimate in front of you, you might see a line item for pre-anesthetic bloodwork if your pet hasn’t had any bloodwork recently. This line item is important, and a necessary cost in my opinion for any anesthetic procedure.

Surgical Time

Surgical time is probably one of the biggest variables in a dental estimate. Actually, it might not be included if your veterinarian doesn’t believe that your dog needs to have teeth surgically removed. However, if your dog’s periodontal disease is severe, they might need to have some teeth removed. Properly removing teeth from your dog’s mouth is a surgical procedure and requires a significant amount of the veterinarian’s time. Sometimes this time could be upwards of an hour. On the estimates we provided, we would include the minimum time we believed the doctor would need to remove the teeth on the low side, and the maximum time on the high side (we deterimined this based on the severity of the disease and the number of teeth affected).

Dental X-rays

If you dog has teeth removed, they will need dental x-rays. Why? Because the x-rays provide your veterinarian will a clean picture of the health of the roots, which can help your dog keep teeth that looked bad, but had healthy roots. And, it will provide your veterinarian with the reassurance that they removed all of the root if the teeth were indeed extracted.

Dental radiographs are required to correctly diagnose and assist in treatment of patients with extensive disease.” – American Veterinary Dental College

Why is it important that the whole root is removed?

Because roots that are left behind often cause reoccurring problems, possibly infections, that can cause your pet to have another dental (meaning, another anesthetic procedure) to remove the root.

Frankly, I wouldn’t have my dog get a dental somewhere where they didn’t have dental x-ray. It’s simply not thorough.

Weight of Your Dog

If you have ever purchased a medication for your dog, your may have realized that the larger your dog is, the more expensive their medications will be. Your dog’s weight will also play a role in the cost of their pre-op medications, anesthesia, and post-op medications.

Severity of the Periodontal Disease

The more severe your dog’s periodontal disease, the more treatment they will need, which can increase the costs of all of the previously listed variables. To avoid some of these cost increases, you can do the following:

  • Brush your dog’s teeth regularly (If your dog hates brushing, Carol from Fidose of Reality has some other suggestions)
  • Take your dog to their annual exam. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you regarding your dog’s periodontal disease before it becomes too severe.
  • Explore additional preventatives with your veterinarian like supplements or water additives.

In summary, I highly recommend dentals as part of your dog’s overall healthcare. However, I would encourage every pet parent to fully understand what they are paying for and how it affects their pet’s health before scheduling a dental!

I hope you found this information helpful! Has your dog had a dental? Were the costs what you expected?

Battling Dry, Itchy Winter Skin: Isle of Dogs

January 8, 2017

I have always preferred the winter months to the summer. Most likely because my birthday is in the winter and I absolutely love Christmas time. But one of the downfalls of winter is dry skin. Dry skin brought on by winter conditions is not something that is unique to humans. Pets too can suffer from dry, itchy skin in the winter. If you have never suffered from dry itchy skin, consider yourself a very lucky person. Not only can dry, itchy skin be uncomfortable, but it can also cause your pet to scratch excessively, which can damage their skin. Because this problem affects many pets and people during the winter time, I want to introduce to you a new product from Isle of Dogs which was created to battle this exact problem.

Caring for Winter Skin

To properly care for your pet’s skin, veterinarians recommend the following:

  • Avoid over-bathing: bathing your dog too often can reduce the natural oil production on the skin and can lead to chemical irritation
  • Use a soft brush: brushing your dog’s skin can help remove the dead skin buildup, remove loose fur, and stimulate the hair follicles and natural oils on the skin.
  • Consider changing your dog’s food: If your dog has suffered through winters in the past, you might consider switching to a food with more omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids. We feed Rooney Petcurean’s GO! Sensitivity + Shine Duck Recipe which has Omega oils to promote a healthy skin and coat. If you are considering changing your dog’s food or adding supplements, please consult with your veterinarian so that you can make the best choice for your pet.
  • Consider a humidifier or fan: if you are able to increase air circulation in your home, you can prevent allergens from building up on the carpet.

Does your pet have Dry, Itchy Winter Skin? Isle of Dogs can help!

How Isle of Dogs Can Help

Isle of Dogs CocoClean Shampoo and Odor Neutralizing Brush Spray were designed with coconut oil due to the many benefits this natural ingredient can provide:

  • promotes a healthy and soft coat
  • relieves dry, itchy, flaky and irritated skin
  • strengthens hair and reduces protein loss
  • can improve the health of the protective skin barrier
  • natural deodorizer

Not only does the coconut oil counteract the symptoms typically associated with winter skin, but the Brush Spray can also help you reduce the number of baths you typically give your dog by keeping them fresh between baths. Additionally, the spray is only effective if you brush your dog, which improves the dry, itchy winter skin.

What Do I Like About Isle of Dogs

  • The Brush Spray: Rooney loves to jump in mud and any available puddle which doesn’t leave him smelling great. The brush spray provides me with an opportunity to keep Rooney smelling good without overbathing him.
  • Paraben free: I have made an effort to remove parabens from my soaps and shampoos this past year because I suffer from a lot of skin issues. It makes me feel good to be able to provide Rooney with the same quality of ingredients.
  • The fragrance: Rooney currently smells very good. I even used the brush spray after a trip to the bay and Rooney smelled good despite having salt water on his coat!
  • Shampoo & Conditioner combined: I love that the shampoo and conditioner are combined into one product. While Rooney actually doesn’t mind a bath, it’s always nice to make bath time as quick and efficient as possible. For those who have pets who don’t like baths, this is an additional bonus.

Your Turn!

Isle of Dogs was generous enough to allow us to host a giveaway! Tell us why you think Isle of Dogs CocoClean is perfect for your dog in the comments below and submit additional entries to win a bottle of Isle of Dogs CocoClean Shampoo and Odor Neutralizing Brush Spray.

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Does your dog suffer from dry, itchy winter skin? What has helped your dog’s skin?

Disclaimer: I am a Petcurean Blogger Advocate. I am provided with compensation for my opinion on Petcurean products, however, Petcurean is the food we feed Rooney every day. Additionally, I was provided with Isle of Dogs CocoClean products in order to provide my opinion. However, My Kid Has Paws only shares reviews we believe benefit our readers.

Should Pet Parents Use Medication for Behavior Problems?

January 5, 2017

The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. But rather, a series of questions you can ask yourself that will help you determine if medication is the best option to improve, or correct, your pet’s behavior problems. In order to help you make a decision, I want to cover a few things; typical behavioral problems, the circumstances that can bring out unusual behavior, and the questions you can ask yourself to help you make the right decision for your pet.

Typical Behavioral Problems

Aggression

Aggression in dogs can be circumstantial or constant. Either way, it is important to understand the underlying reason for the behavior. According to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, common types of aggressive behavior include: territorial, possessive, protective, or fearful. Once you understand the reasoning behind the behavior, you can work with your veterinarian and a professional trainer to improve the behavior. Many people make the attempt to avoid the circumstances that cause the behavior to arise, however, that isn’t always possible. I will share Charlie’s story as an example:

He was a relatively young Tibetan Terrier-ish mix whose parents were running a daycare out of their home. They had been running this daycare for years. However, as time went on, it became clear that Charlie wasn’t fond of kids. The daycare had started to stress out Charlie. Due to the fact that children often can’t read dog behavior, his parents were concerned that at some point, he would begin acting aggressively toward the kids.

It’s been a few years, so it’s difficult to remember all of the details, but I believe there were a few other indicators that led us to prescribe Fluxotine (anti-anxiety medication for dogs) to ease Charlie’s stress. Not only did the Fluxotine improve Charlie’s relationships with the kids, but it also removed stress in the house which allowed his relationship with his pet parents to flourish. In this case, not only did the medication work well, but it allowed Charlie to stay with his parents despite their current employment situation. The moral of Charlie’s story is that not all aggression should be treated with medication. However, if the circumstances prevent pet parents from removing or avoiding the cause of the aggression, it might be worth a conversation with your veterinarian.

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common problem in dogs and can be such a serious issue that the dog’s behavior can be harmful to their health. This reminds me of a story:

I worked at a shelter and there was this beautiful Alaskan Malamute who had been adopted by the Owner and Manager of the shelter. The only problem was that he had extreme separation anxiety. It was so bad that if she was on the other side of the door, he would do whatever he could to get through that door so he wouldn’t be away from her. Fortunately, she was able to use the resources she had at the shelter to make sure that he was never alone and always looked after.

But what if she had a job that didn’t allow her to keep her dog all the time? This would be the case for many pet parents. In this circumstance, it might have made sense to explore the option of medication to keep a dog with this level of separation anxiety safe.

Fear & Destructive Behavior

What do the two behavioral problems above have in common? Fear. Fear can present in the form of aggression, separation anxiety or just plain destruction. When fear is the underlying factor, medication may be necessary in order to make the pet comfortable enough to begin behavior modification:

“With many problem behaviors related to fear, medication is necessary to reduce the dog’s fear to a level that allows treatment to begin.” – Pets.WebMD

All the above behaviors can be addressed with training as well. However, it’s important to consider your pet’s immediate stress and the severity of the behavior.

Depends on the Situation

Sometimes medication for a behavioral problem is only a situational issue. For example, when I worked at the veterinary hospital, a few patients needed to be prescribed sedatives just to get them to be comfortable within the walls of the hospital. Additionally, I knew quite a few pet parents who provided their pets with sedation or anti-anxiety medication during the 4th of July or other stressful holiday situations.

While not everyone is comfortable with the concept of using medication to alter behavior, medication is something to consider if the behavior is situational as well.

Ask Yourself These Questions

Will medication allow your relationship to flourish?

If a pet is straining relationships in a home, it can be difficult on the whole family. Additionally, it might strain the relationship you have with your pet. If medication can help your pet remain integrated into the family, it just might be the solution. The fact that Charlie (story above) was not brought to the shelter, or a rescue, for his behavioral problem was better for him and arguably better for the entire pet community. Any time a dog or cat is able to stay in their home (assuming their home is safe and they are well taken care of) that is one less pet in the shelter, which is what so many rescues and shelters are working toward.

What if it isn’t a behavior problem?

In the past, I have reminded many pet parents that inappropriate urination is not always a behavior problem. Sometimes, pets are urinating inappropriately because they have a Urinary Tract Infection. It’s important to consider that your dog or cat may be exhibiting symptoms of a disease or condition rather than exhibiting unwanted behavior. Before jumping to conclusions, check with your veterinarian to make sure that the behavior is not a part of a possible health issue.

Have you considered other options?

I want to be clear. I am not saying that you always have to exhaust ALL other options before turning to medication as a solution. Actually, I believe that medication can be the right solution from the get-go at times (see “Fear” above). But, it is an important question to consider for many. Most importantly, you are going to want to know what all of your options are regarding your pet’s health. The best way to find out, is to talk to your veterinarian, and depending on the behavior, also consult the help of a professional trainer.

Are they harming themselves?

Sometimes an unwanted behavior can actually be damaging to a pet’s health. For example, some cats can over groom themselves due to stress, or, as we discussed, dogs can be destructive due to separation anxiety. Medication might help them take the first steps in the right direction before they hurt themselves or their long-term health.

Is your veterinarian involved in this decision making?

Please, please, please consult your veterinarian. On several occasions I have seen families struggle with a pet’s behavioral problems only to find out later than their veterinary could provide a clear and multi-faceted solution.

Now, hop on over to Carol Bryant’s blog, Fidose of Reality for her Dog Mom perspective on this topic.

medicine versus mom

Canine Massage: Necessity or Luxury?

November 16, 2016

Canine massage is currently being debated amongst many veterinarians and pet parents as to whether canine massage is a necessity or a luxury. However, based on my experience with massage and my years of experience in the veterinary field, I think massage is very useful. In fact, I think the real question isn’t whether or not massage is effective, but rather; is canine massage being used as prevention or treatment? Today, we would like to discuss this debated topic, the benefits of massage to dogs of all ages, and different massage techniques.

via GIPHY

The Great Debate

For human health, the topic of massage and it’s efficacy is still being debated. So, it comes as no surprise that canine massage is such a hotly debated topic. While the evidence of success is clinical, and there are very few double-blind studies, alternative therapies and integrative medicine have made excellent strides in the last 15 years, and will undoubtedly continue to do so as pet parents begin learning more about whole body health. Which is why, despite critics disregard of the benefits of massage therapy, the list of benefits for canine massage therapy is growing! Particularly as it relates to alternative therapies and the whole body approach. Let’s put this idea of luxury to rest, shall we?

Benefits of Massage

If you benefit from regular massage yourself, it might be easier for you to understand the benefits of massage for dogs. Here are the benefits and goals of canine massage, according to the Integrative Veterinary Care Journal:

  • Relief of pain
  • Reduction of swelling and edema
  • Reduction of muscle tension
  • Improvement of circulation
  • Promotion of tissue healing
  • Reduction of fibrous tissue and adhesions
  • Improvement of range of motion

As outlined above, it is clear that there are many benefits to canine massage therapy, but can massage benefit every dog?

Which Dogs Can Benefit from Massage Therapy?

As I mentioned previously the benefits of canine massage therapy are clear, but not all benefits are the same. In some cases, massage therapy is being used as a treatment, while in other situations it is being used as a form of prevention. I have outlined my personal thoughts on the list below. According to the Integrative Veterinary Care Journal, here is the list of ailments that can benefit from massage:

  • Tight and contracted tendons, Ligament and muscle injuries (Prevention/Treatment): Tension in the muscle tissues could be caused by repeat motion or strain. Kat Scicluna, an Equine Canine Sports Massage Therapist, mentioned canine neck pain as a condition due to overuse that many pet parents don’t realize can become an ailment.
  • Chronic inflammatory conditions (Treatment): The most common inflammatory condition being arthritis in dogs. According to VetStreet, 65% of dogs between the ages of 7 and 11 suffer from some degree of arthritis.
  • Scar tissue and edema (Treatment): Scar tissue often develops from a previous injury.
  • Post-surgery or trauma (recovery) (Prevention/Treatment): Alternative therapies such as hydrotherapy, acupuncture and of course, massage, have had a lot of success in post-operative recovery as well as, degenerative diseases and neurological problems (PetMD).
  • Maintenance of competitive levels (Prevention): Massage is very commonly used to maintain the muscle health of competitive horses (VCA). I am curious to see if this practice grows among competitive dog sports such as agility.

Additionally, Kat Scicluna, (ESCMT), mentions in her interview with the Honest Kitchen the benefits of massage for improving emotional issues in pets, particularly those in shelters or rescues with less daily human contact.

“I show up early and begin rotating the foster animals through a series of short massages that will put them at ease and in a relaxed state. It makes the foster clinics more enjoyable for both sides as the fosters are calmer and more apt to human contact after massages. Easier to adopt out!”

Canine Massage: Necessity or Luxury?

Different Massage Techniques

So now, we know that not all massage are created equal, it is important to understand that while massage is a great option for many pets and their common ailments, there are a variety of different massage techniques. According to VCA, here are some of the common techniques: trigger-point massage, craniosacral therapy, acupressure, friction massage, and passive range of motion therapy. Due to the significant variance from technique to technique, it’s important to keep in mind that the more specialized the technique, the more it’s necessary to seek out the right type of veterinary professional to improve, or prevent, a condition for your dog. But how do you find the right professionals with the right background?

How to Find the Right Treatment for Your Dog

Keep in mind, massage is an independent therapy. Meaning, you should always seek out the best treatments and therapies for YOUR dog. So, you know I am going to say it. You need to speak to your veterinarian. Make sure that you receive referrals from your trusted veterinary community, and feel free to ask them for help on techniques if you feel that you want to help your pet with massages at home as well.

To learn more about how you can massage your dog with the appropriate techniques, I will refer you to my friend Carol’s blog: Fidose of Reality, where she discusses the Dog Mom point of view on the topic of dog massage.

medicine versus mom

Words of Caution

While it may seem harmless to perform a massage on your dog (or have a professional do it for you), it is important to keep in mind, that there are situations and circumstances where you could potentially make things worse for your pet (IVC). If your dog has any of the following conditions, please avoid providing them with a massage:

  • Fever problems
  • Any infectious disease (bacterial or fungal)
  • Internal organ problems
  • Gross fractures (or suspected fractures)
  • If the patient is on any medications that would cause major side effects if their absorption rate was increased
  • Under no circumstances should massage be performed on any kind of mass that has not been diagnosed as benign
  • On the area of any recent surgical intervention

I know this last part seems scary, but it’s important to understand how massage effects the body, particularly, when it can negatively effect a condition.

So, I obviously think that massage is beneficial to the health of our pets and not just a luxury. What do you think?

A Healthy Gut for the Holidays: Only Natural Pet

November 13, 2016

I feel like there is no better time of year to discuss gut health for both ourselves and our pets. The holidays are full of opportunities to try tasty desserts and indulge in seasonal foods and drinks, which is great, but not necessarily for the health of our gut. For pets, the holidays serve as a time to get free snacks from house guests. Especially, food they normally wouldn’t have access to, like turkey. In addition to extra snacks, the holidays are also a stressful time for pets due to inconsistent schedules and a generally hectic environment.

Recently, we shared with you the importance of probiotics for your pet’s gut health and if you haven’t started giving your pets their daily probiotic, now might be the time to start. The holidays bring about the top reasons pets can benefit from probiotics:

  • Stress
  • Dietary problems
  • Changes in food

A Healthy Gut for the Holidays: Only Natural Pet

Today, I want to talk to you specifically about Only Natural Pet’s Complete Gut Health Probiotic + Enzyme Digestive Complex! This complex is more than just a probiotic. It combines, probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes to boost the immune system. What is the importance of these items to your pet’s gut health? Only Natural Pet breaks it down for us:

Digestive Enzymes

“Often lost in the cooking process of conventional pet food, digestive enzymes are essential for nutrient absorption. Complete Gut Health features a blend of four plant based digestive enzymes, each with a unique function: Protease for protein, Amylase for carbohydrates, Lipase for essential fatty acids, and Cellulase for fiber.”

Prebiotics

“Essential food for probiotics, prebiotics in Complete Gut Health are derived from chicory root in the form of insulin, a dietary fiber that is not digested by your pets, but easily digested by healthy bacteria in their guts. Prebiotics stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria, supporting overall immunity, as well as increases metabolic activity, which relieves constipation.”

Probiotics

“Sometimes called “friendly” bacteria, probiotics are the microflora living in your pet’s gut. Complete Gut Health’s proprietary blend of probiotics support your pet’s overall health and immunity, as well as supporting with occasional diarrhea, flatulence and stool issues.”

What kind of household can benefit from this product?

While I think that most pets can benefit from additional digestive support, Only Natural’s Pet product fits a household that is looking to take a more holistic approach to the pet’s health care, while investing in their long-term health. However, before adding anything to your pet’s health care plan please speak with your veterinarian.

What do you think? Do you think your pet will benefit from probiotics this holiday season?

 

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