Pets

Is it enough to only clean a dog's teeth with dental chews and sprays or are professional cleaning appointments necessary?

Professional cleanings necessary for dog's dental health

Is it enough to only clean a dog's teeth with dental chews and sprays or are professional cleaning appointments necessary? The answer is no, it is generally not enough to be point blank. Dental chews and sprays can help minimizing or decreasing tartar and plaque buildup, just like brushing your teeth can. But if you think about us, dogs are very similar, dogs and cats are very similar to people. We brush our teeth twice a day, every day, and we still need to go for annual or biannual professional cleanings. And so if we really want to clean properly, it involves general anesthesia with x-rays because a lot of the disease is below the gum line and a full cleaning and extractions if needed. Anesthesia-free dental cleanings are not enough. Now when these need to be done really depends on the age of the dog, the size of the dog. My little dog here, my Brussels Griffin, Freddy, you can see he has a squished face. He needed to have his first dental at three years old and he already needed multiple extractions. So it's really important that you discuss this with your veterinarian and follow their recommendations regarding when a dental cleaning is first needed. But those other things can help and they can prolong the time between cleanings, but they're not enough on their own.

Dental chews and sprays can help decrease tartar and plaque, but they are not enough to replace professional cleanings. Talk to your vet about when a dental cleaning is needed for your dog, as it will depend on size, age, and breed.

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Is it sufficient to only clean a dog's teeth with dental chews and sprays, or are professional cleaning appointments necessary? Generally, the answer is no. While dental chews and sprays can help reduce tartar and plaque buildup, they are not a complete solution. Dogs and cats are similar to people in this regard. Even though we brush our teeth twice a day, we still require annual or biannual professional cleanings. Proper dental cleaning involves general anesthesia, x-rays to assess below the gum line, and a thorough cleaning with possible extractions if needed. Anesthesia-free dental cleanings are not enough. The timing for these cleanings depends on factors such as the dog's age and size. For example, my Brussels Griffin dog, Freddy, with his squished face, needed his first dental cleaning at three years old and multiple extractions were necessary. It's essential to discuss this with a veterinarian and follow their recommendations on when a dental cleaning is required. While dental chews and sprays can assist in prolonging the time between cleanings, they should not be relied upon as the sole method of oral care for your pet.

What are the differences between probiotics for a dog and those for a human?

Key differences: Probiotics for dogs vs. humans

What are the differences between probiotics for a dog and those for a human? So the main differences between probiotics for dogs and for people really comes down to the strains of bacteria that are included. So we think about the microbiome, which is the makeup of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes both good bacteria and bad bacteria. And so any probiotic is really aimed at replenishing the good bacteria in the gut. And so the reason why we typically recommend dog-specific or cat-specific probiotics is because these are based on a dog's microbiome rather than a human's or a person's. And so the antibiotic or the, sorry, the probiotic strains that are included are supposed to be specific for those pets. So that's why we usually recommend dog-specific probiotics.

The main difference between probiotics for dogs and humans is the strains of bacteria included. Dog specific probiotics are based on a dog's microbiome, while human probiotics are based on a human's microbiome.

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The main differences between probiotics for dogs and humans lie in the strains of bacteria included. Probiotics aim to replenish the good bacteria in the gut, which makes up the microbiome. Dog-specific or cat-specific probiotics are recommended because they are formulated based on the specific microbiome of pets, rather than humans. The strains of bacteria included in these products are tailored to be beneficial for dogs. Therefore, it is generally advised to use probiotics specifically designed for dogs.

In your opinion, what is the most concerning issue facing veterinarian sciences, today?

Shortage of Veterinarians: A Crisis Impacting Mental Health

In your opinion, what is the most concerning issue facing veterinary sciences today? Well, there's a lot. You know, mental health is a huge thing in veterinary practice, whether it's veterinary nurses, technicians, veterinarians, high suicide rates. But I think for me, one of the topics I'm most passionate about right now is just the veterinary shortage and the fact that there's a massive shortage of veterinarians, veterinary specialists and veterinary technicians, everything we are very short staffed on. And that is contributing to the mental health crisis that's affecting us. And so we definitely need more veterinarians being trained and we need more help. And I think that's only going to come if pet owners are starting to recognize this and ask for it. So that is probably the biggest issue is the shortage right now.

The most concerning issue facing veterinary sciences today is the shortage of veterinarians, specialists and technicians. This shortage is contributing to the mental health crisis in the field and requires more pet owners to recognize it and ask for help.

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In my opinion, one of the most concerning issues facing veterinary sciences today is the veterinary shortage. There is a significant shortage of veterinarians, veterinary specialists, and veterinary technicians, contributing to the mental health crisis within the field. It is crucial that we train more veterinarians and provide additional support. This can be accomplished if pet owners recognize the shortage and advocate for more resources. Currently, the shortage is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed.

What are the benefits of going to see a veterinary dermatologist for an itchy dog?

Unlocking the Benefits of Veterinary Dermatologists for Itchy Dogs

What are the benefits of going to see a veterinary dermatologist for an itchy dog? So I think this is almost like a bigger topic to answer. What are the benefits of seeing a specialist for my dog, whether it's a cardiologist or an oncologist or like me, an internal medicine specialist? And I think in general, a lot of pet owners don't know that we exist and that, you know, seeking referral for these more complicated cases is an option. And the benefit is really that you are going to see someone just like in human medicine who is an expert in that area. So me as an internal medicine specialist, you know, I am not a dermatologist. I am not going to be good at the things that your regular family vet are going to be good at, like talking to you about prevention and vaccination. But for internal medicine issues, that is where my expertise lies. And I've done a residency and gotten that special training. And so the benefit is that you're seeing someone with a much higher level of knowledge and experience in that area. So specialists exist in almost every area that they do in people. And so if you are having an issue with your pet that is not seeming to be resolved at the level of your family vet, then either they will offer a referral or you can always ask for one to a specialist to get a second opinion.

The main benefit of going to a Veterinary dermatologist for an itchy dog is that they are an expert in the field and can provide a higher level of knowledge and experience than a regular family vet. This can help ensure that your pet's issue is properly addressed and resolved.

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The benefits of seeing a veterinary dermatologist for an itchy dog are significant. Seeking referral to a specialist for complicated cases is an option many pet owners may not be aware of. When you see a specialist, you are consulting with an expert in that specific area, just like in human medicine. In my case, as an internal medicine specialist, I have expertise in internal medicine issues but not in dermatology. Specialists exist in various areas just like they do for humans. By seeing a veterinary dermatologist, you are accessing someone with higher knowledge and experience in that particular field. While your regular family vet excels at prevention and vaccination, a specialist can provide specialized care and treatment. If your pet's issue is not resolving at the general vet level, they may offer a referral or you can request one yourself to seek a second opinion from a specialist.

Key takeaway: Choosing a well-balanced, tested dog food

What food do you recommend? So as an internal medicine specialist, there's a lot of things that go into diet selection. Generally, this depends on the age of your dog, if they have any conditions that require a specific diet. So this is something you definitely want to work with with your veterinarian. But in general, the general principles in terms of diet recommendations for dogs are going to include a well-balanced tested diet that has gone through all of the approval that is necessary to meet all the AAFCO requirements and that has been tested for things like contamination, consistency. So generally, these are gonna be diets that are made by companies who do research and formulate their diets using nutritionists. So in general, that is what I recommend. I feed my dogs Royal Canin or Purina Essential Care. And they're both healthy young dogs.

I recommend feeding your dog a well-balanced, tested diet that has gone through all of the necessary approvals and is made by a company who does research and formulates their diets using nutritionists. Good examples include Royal Canin and Purina Essential Care.

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As an internal medicine specialist, I consider several factors when recommending dog food. The age of the dog and any specific conditions they may have play a crucial role in diet selection. It's important to consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice. In general, I recommend well-balanced, tested diets that meet all AAFCO requirements and have undergone testing for contamination and consistency. These diets are typically formulated by companies that conduct research and work with nutritionists. Personally, I feed my dogs Royal Canin or Purina Essential Care, as they are both healthy young dogs. Remember to prioritize the overall nutritional needs of your dog and consult with your vet for the best food recommendation.

If the FDA has very little control over supplementation regulations, how can I be sure what I am giving to my dog is safe?

Ensuring Your Dog's Supplement Safety: Seek Veterinary Guidance

If the FDA has very little control over supplementation regulations, how can I be sure what I'm giving to my dog is safe? So as an internal medicine specialist, I come across this a lot, you know, especially products like probiotics, you know, supplements that are supposed to help with, you know, kidneys and liver disease and all sorts of stuff. You can really go into any pet store or onto, you know, Amazon or Google and really find anything and these are very unregulated products. That's not to say they're bad, but they just might not be helpful. And in some cases I've definitely had, you know, patients referred that for something like elevated liver enzymes and I realized, oh, they're on this supplement. I'm not sure what it is. We stop it and the liver enzymes resolve. So just because something's labeled as a supplement doesn't necessarily mean it's safe. So the best thing you can do is talk to your veterinarian, bring in any supplements, just like any, you know, at any appointment you should be bringing in any medications, but bring in any supplements as well so they can look at them and say, you know, is this something I'd recommend? Is there a different version of the supplement that's been studied and is more regulated that I can recommend? Is this something that I would stop because we don't really know what it is or it has any proven benefits? So definitely speak to your veterinarian, bring them into your appointment. Freddie says hi.

To ensure the safety of your dog's supplements, you should speak to your veterinarian and bring any supplements to your appointment for them to review. They can then determine if the supplement is safe, if there are better versions that are more regulated, or if it should be stopped because it is unknown what it is or if it has any proven benefits.

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To ensure the safety of the supplements you give to your dog, it's important to acknowledge that the FDA has limited control over supplementation regulations. As an internal medicine specialist, I often come across various unregulated products like probiotics or supplements for kidney and liver diseases. While these products may not necessarily be harmful, they might not be helpful either. In some cases, I've observed patients with elevated liver enzymes due to unidentified supplements. Stopping the supplement led to a resolution of the issue. Just because something is labeled as a supplement does not guarantee its safety. The best approach is to consult your veterinarian and bring in any supplements you are considering or currently giving to your dog. Your vet can review the products and determine if they are recommendable or if there are more regulated alternatives available. It's crucial to have this discussion during your appointment with your veterinarian to ensure the best course of action for your pet's health and well-being. By involving your vet, you can make informed decisions regarding supplement usage for your dog.

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Lauren Adelman answers your Pets questions. See all the advice Lauren Adelman has and get answers to your own Pets questions.

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Dr. Lauren Adelman earned her veterinary degree from the University of Calgary in 2012 where she was part of the inaugural class. Following graduation, she completed a small animal rotating internship at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital followed by a one-year specialty internship in emergency and critical care at North Carolina State University. Dr. Adelman then moved to Knoxville where she completed a three-year small animal internal medicine residency at the University of Tennessee. She achieved diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialty of Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2017. Dr. Adelman is currently practicing at Canada West Veterinary Specialists in Vancouver, BC., where her particular areas of interest include gastroenterology, nephrology and urology, and infectious disease. She is trained to perform a variety of state-of-the-art minimally-invasive procedures.