Ask your vet: How often do you clean your dog’s teeth? | Local

A: A: February is National Pet Dental Health Month, so this is a good time to think about your pet’s dental health.

The frequency of tooth cleaning depends on the oral health of each pet, as it needs to be cleaned more often than other pets.

Dental illnesses can cause serious pain and discomfort, and as pets grow older, they may have difficulty eating and lose weight. Evaluating dental health annually is essential for their health, especially for older animals, as oral pain and infections can also affect their dietary patterns.

Dental disease begins with the buildup of tartar on the teeth, which travels below the gum lines, leading to root abscesses and infections. Severe dental disorders can have a significant impact on the quality of life of animals as they age, so early treatment is essential.

Preventive care is the best way to keep your teeth healthy for long periods of time and reduce the number of tooth cleanings required. Brushing your pet’s teeth with a pet-friendly toothpaste is the best way to keep your teeth healthy for the long term. However, not all pets, especially cats, can tolerate brushing, so other options to consider are daily dental treats and chews, gels and wipes on teeth, or dental water additives. Is to use.

As tooth illness becomes more serious, performing a thorough tooth cleaning is the only way to deal with all the problems. Thorough tooth cleaning inspects and evaluates all teeth. A full mouth x-ray should also be done because a significant amount of dental disease is under the gums and cannot be identified without x-rays.

Teeth cleaning, which is done simply by scaling the teeth without anesthesia, can remove visible tartar from the teeth, but this type of cleaning is appropriate for the underlying dental health that can only be assessed by X-ray. Do not rate.

Whatever you can do to support your pet’s dental health, it will improve your pet’s quality of life as it grows older. An annual examination of a healthy pet by a veterinarian helps to assess the health of the pet’s oral cavity and assess the need for thorough tooth cleaning.

Q: What is the difference between a 3-year vaccine and a 1-year vaccine?

A: Technically, the 1-year and 3-year vaccines are the same vaccine, but the interval between boosters depends on several factors. The younger the animal, the more often the booster will be because it is trying to get the best immunity to the animal when it is young. The area in which you live also determines the recommended type of vaccine and the frequency of booster immunization. Due to the high prevalence of parvovirus in Flagstaff, the vaccine may be boosted every year up to a certain age and then every three years to ensure immunity.

The final factor is based on how the manufacturer labels the vaccine. Most vaccines have not been labeled for more than 3 years. Your pet may still be immune for more than 3 years, but legally, the vaccine is not labeled as effective beyond a certain date and is re-administered every 3 years. need to do it. Your veterinarian can guide you about the best vaccine for your area and your pet.

Q: Q: My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes and was overwhelmed. What should I do first?

A. Follow your veterinarian’s advice. If you haven’t done so already, discuss the proper diet for your cat and minimize the carbohydrates in your diet. If you are worried about injecting insulin, or if you are afraid to hurt your cat, schedule an injection practice time with one of your veterinarian technicians. Open communication is essential, so don’t be afraid to express your concerns.

Diabetes is a serious illness and there is no cure, but it is not a death sentence. It can be well managed with insulin therapy, proper diet, consistent exercise routines, and regular tests. So don’t panic! With patience and diligence, you and your vet can control your pet’s diabetes and keep her healthy for years to come.