Preventing Canine & Feline Dental Disease

According to veterinary experts, dental disease has become the number one health issue in pets diagnosed in 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats by around age 2. Spotting the signs and preventing canine and feline dental disease will be the topic of the workshop, Preventing Canine & Feline Dental Disease on Thursday, February 18, 2016as part of Pawsitively Healthy: An informative series for the health & wellbeing of your dog or cat being held at Pet Supplies Plus of White Lake.

Given the seriousness of the health problem, February has been designated as National Pet Dental Health Month by the American Veterinary Medical Association and several other veterinary groups.

Dental disease occurs when a buildup of plaque and tartar cause inflammation and infection. It can be extremely painful for pets and can lead to serious health problems including heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes and more. Dental disease can also lead to oral cancer, eye inflammation and blindness.

Preventing Canine & Feline Dental Disease is being conducted by Andrea Putt, DVM, of Commerce Village Veterinary Hospital in Commerce Twp., (www.commercevillagevet.com). Putt says she is seeing dental disease become more prevalent and more serious among dogs and cats, and that more pet owners need to be aware of the signs as well as preventive action they can take at home.

“Dental disease is one of the most avoidable yet overlooked health problems in pets today,” Putt says. “Pet owners may be unfamiliar with the signs, or they may think that their pet is fine when they’re not. Pets often work very hard to hide their pain.”

In the workshop, dog and cat owners will find out how to check for the sometimes subtle signs of dental disease which include redness around the gums or painful red spots called resorptive lesions which are highly painful holes in the teeth common in cats. Pet owners will also learn how to choose treats and foods that promote good dental health, as well as how to brush their pet’s teeth.

“Sometimes people laugh and think I’m joking when I talk about brushing your cat’s or dog’s teeth,” Putt says. “But this is the number one thing pet owners can do to prevent dental disease. Most pets tolerate it just fine and weekly brushing can go a long way to reduce dangerous plaque and tartar.”

Pawsitively Healthy workshops are being held at Pet Supplies Plus in White Lake at 6845 Highland Rd. from 7 p.m.to 8 p.m. Upcoming topics include kidney disease, arthritis, thyroid disease and more.

Space is limited; advance registration required. Please remember to leave your pets at home. There is a $5 donation per workshop with all proceeds going to Elizabeth Lake Animal Rescue. To register and for more information, go towww.addyspsp.wordpress.com.