pet quarterly - fall | volume 6, no. 4

FALL | Vo lume 6, No. 4

Pet Care News From Your Veterinarian

FALL | Vo lume 6, No. 4


$4.25

®®

Important Message About Your Pet

DNA Testing: Discover Your Dog’s Breed How to Prevent Heartworm DiseaseKeep Your Cat’s Teeth Pain-FreeCongestive Heart Failure: Know the Signs

Fleas don’t just infest your pet. By spreading their eggs and larvae around, they end up in your carpet, your couch, everywhere. To stop an infestation, ask for the brand vets recommend most: FRONTLINE® Plus.It kills fl eas fast, plus their eggs and larvae—and even ticks. It’s waterproof. And just one dose lasts all month long.

Make sure the only one getting comfy in your home is your pet. Ask for the Vet’s #1 Choice,* FRONTLINE Plus.

WHEREVER YOUR BEST FRIEND GOES

Kills fl eas and ticks fast...and lasts.

*Vet-dispensed; MDI Data.®FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2009 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. FLE09CNPRINT_R

Frontline_Cat_PQ:A 5/1/09 1:45 PM Page 1

Pet Quarterly | Fall 2009 1

2 Treating Congestive Heart Failure

Is your dog coughing? See your veterinarian.

4 My Dog’s a What? DNA tests can help create

a health plan as unique as your pet.

8 Have a Heart Find out why heartworm

prevention is so important.

12 Cavities Gone Mad? Ways to prevent painful

tooth resorption in cats.

14 Life-Saving Blood Donations

Does your pet qualify as a blood donor?

I N T H I S I S S U E

FALL | VOL. 6, No. 4


Pet Quarterly® is an educational resource provided by your veterinary hospital.

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©Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Pet Quarterly® magazine does not make any representations as to opinions or facts as presented. Reproduction of contents in any form is prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher.

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Share your photos with other PQ readers. Email your best shot and the name of your veterinary hospital to [email protected]. To be published, images should be at least 3 inches at 300 dpi. We’ll publish as many as we can.

Picture-Perfect Pets

LucyOakwood Animal Hospital, Oakwood, Ga.

DaisyAnimal Hospital of Treasure Island, Treasure Island, Fla.

Danger “D”Antigua Veterinary Hospital, Saint Augustine, Fla.

JerryMVS Animal Clinic, Deerfield Beach, Fla.

LuckyPowers Ferry Animal Hospital, Sandy Springs, Ga.

MerandaAnimal Medical Clinic, Melbourne, Fla.

Rudy and RileyGreenbriar Animal Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla.

Jena LeeShores Animal Hospital, Gainesville, Fla.

CharlieCompanion Animal Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla.

Congestive heart failure:

Know the SignsIs your dog coughing? It could mean heart disease. Here’s what your veterinarian can do to help.

By Davin J. Borde, DVm, Dipl. ACVIm (Cardiology)

Senior Wellness

Key PointsSigNS oF CoNgeSTive HeArT FAilure in dogs may start with a subtle cough.

immeDiATe veTeriNAriAN ATTeNTioN may help save the dog’s life.

moST DogS reSPoND verY well to therapy and can survive years after diagnosis.

Your veTeriNAriAN will liKelY perform several tests to diagnose congestive heart failure, including an electrocardiogram and a chest x-ray.

SeverAl TreATmeNT THerAPieS are available for congestive heart failure—including drugs to help reduce blood pressure and control leaking of the mitral valve and to remove fluid from the lungs.

Your veTeriNAriAN mAY PreSCriBe a new drug called pimobendan, which can assist the heart in pumping more strongly and reduce the leak at

the mitral valve.

CCoughing or respiratory distress can be one of the early signs that your dog is suffering from heart disease. The signs may be subtle at first, and if ignored, can get worse. Getting your pet evaluated promptly by your veterinarian can save its life.

Congestive heart failure is a syndrome that can result from various heart diseases. Lung congestion can develop, and your dog may cough, have difficulty breathing or not want to exercise. Congestion can also develop in other areas of the body, causing swelling of the legs (called limb edema) or fluid buildup in the abdomen. Congestive heart failure is caused by an abnormality of heart function, and just like in humans, results in failure of the heart to pump blood to meet the demands of the body.

Valve DiseaseThe most common cause of congestive heart failure in dogs is degenerative valve disease, known as endocardiosis. This results in thickening of valves within the heart, causing a leak at these valves. It is a disease typically found in older dogs, often in smaller breeds such as toy and miniature Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Pekingese and Boston Terriers. One study suggested that 10 percent of dogs ages 5 to 8 years, 20 percent to 25 percent of dogs ages 9 to 12 years, and 30 to 35 percent of dogs age 13 years old and up demonstrate heart murmurs (abnormal heart sounds) suggestive of degenerative valve disease.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are particularly predisposed to degenerative valve disease: One study found that 59 percent of Cavaliers age four years or older demonstrated evidence of degenerative valve disease.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the breeds at risk for congestive heart failure.

2 Fall 2009 | Pet Quarterly


Other Warning SignsCongestive heart failure may also be caused by a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. This typically affects larger dogs and certain breeds such as Doberman Pinschers,

Boxers, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Golden Retrievers. We don’t know exactly what causes this disease, but it results in a severe weakening of the heart muscle. Some possible causes may include taurine and/or carnitine deficiency (these are amino acids found naturally in the diet; however some dogs may require larger amounts); hypothyroidism (a disease resulting in low levels of a hormone called the thyroid hormone); and viral, parasitic or other infectious diseases. Certain drugs as well as other systemic diseases also can weaken the heart muscle.

Detecting the DiseaseYour veterinarian will likely perform several tests to diagnose congestive heart failure. An electrocardiogram will assess the electrical activity of the heart and search for any electrical disturbances that may be a sign of congestive heart failure. Chest x-rays (thoracic radiographs) will assess the presence of fluid in the lungs and look at the shape and size of the heart shadow to rule out significant enlargement. Prior to starting heart medications, your veterinarian may also perform other tests, such as an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) and blood work.

Each case of congestive heart failure is different, so it’s hard to accurately predict how long your dog will live if it is diagnosed with degenerative valve disease and congestive heart failure. Most dogs respond very well to therapy and can survive years after diagnosis. Getting your pet to your veterinarian early when you notice signs of cough or respiratory distress is key to increasing the chances of successful diagnosis and treatment. n

Treatment optionsYour veterinarian has several effective therapies to treat congestive heart failure, which can resolve symptoms such as respiratory distress, coughing or disinterest in exercise.

Typically, a veterinarian will start the dog on an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, such as enalapril, benazepril or lisinopril to reduce the degree of leak at the mitral valve. ACE inhibitors reduce blood pressure, making it easier for your dog’s heart to pump blood and less likely that blood will leak at the mitral valve.

Diuretic therapy with drugs such as furosemide, spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide is also typically used to remove fluid from the lungs. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a new drug called pimobendan. This drug can help the heart pump more strongly and reduce the leak at the mitral valve. Other medications to control electrical disturbances, as well as other supplements and treatments, can also be used to resolve congestive heart failure.

SmAll BreeDSn Cavalier King Charles Spaniels n Toy and Miniature Poodlesn Pomeranians n Chihuahuasn Pekingese n Boston Terriers

lArge BreeDSn Doberman Pinschersn Boxers n Great Danesn Irish Wolfhounds n Golden Retrievers

Breeds At risk for Congestive Heart FailureThese are some of the breeds that may develop congestive heart failure. Talk to your veterinarian about a wellness plan.


My Dog’Sa What?Delving into dog DNA isn’t just for geneticists and breeders. It’s a vital tool you and your veterinarian can use to develop a health plan as unique as your pet.By mary scoviak

W“What kind of dog is that?” It’s usually one of the first questions people ask Chicagoan Alison Otto when they meet her dog, Milo, and one she has often asked herself. Golden Retriever and Collie mixes are the most common guesses. But neither explains his amber-colored eyes, love of running or protective yet shy behavior. So what kind of chromosomal cocktail came together to make the mix that’s Milo?

Without DNA testing, not even veterinarians can be sure. “The vast majority of the time, what you think your dog is and what your dog really is can be 180 degrees apart—and that’s just as true in terms of what veterinarians think as what pet owners think. We guess wrong, too,” says Carol Osborne, DVM, founder and president of the American Pet Institute.

General Wellness

Milo’s DNA testing revealed that he is

likely a purebred, possibly a European

breed the test does not yet cover.

Key PointsCuriouS ABouT Your Dog’S BreeD? Ask your veterinarian about a DNA test.

THe mArS wiSDom PANelTm mX DNA TeST requireS a blood sample drawn by your veterinarian.

KNowiNg Your Dog’S miX oF BreeDS can also help your veterinarian develop a customized wellness plan for your pet.


That’s not surprising considering that dogs are the most diverse mammalian species on earth. Sure, they all started as gray wolves, but now there are more than 300 distinct breeds recognized by various countries’ kennel clubs, and an almost limitless number of possible combinations. More than an estimated 50 percent of all dogs in the United States are mixed breeds and, according to a 2007 online ZoomInfo panel, 86 percent of their owners aren’t sure of their dogs’ breeds.

Curiosity is big driver in the decision to delve into a dog’s family tree. And as costs have come down to around $125 and blood tests such as Mars Veterinary’s Wisdom PanelTM MX DNA test have become readily available, more pet owners want to stop the guessing game.

Doggy DNA TestingIt takes a simple blood test and a few weeks to find out. Mars Veterinary invited Pet Quarterly to test a dog, and we chose Milo, who was adopted from a shelter eight years ago. Using the Wisdom PanelTM MX DNA test, Milo’s veterinarian drew a small blood sample and sent it for analysis. Scanning Milo’s blood chromosome by chromosome, a computer program compared his DNA markers against those of 157 pure American Kennel Club breeds included in Mars’ database.

Wisdom Panel MX draws on groundbreaking canine research conducted by the United Kingdom-based Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. In developing the test, the center’s scientists collected and analyzed more than 19 million canine DNA markers from 13,000 samples donated by dog owners and veteri-

nary practices in the United States and United Kingdom. From those samples, researchers mapped out more than 300 genetic markers that help to identify the pure breeds in a dog’s background.

Is all that science necessary just to decide whether there’s a dash of Poodle or a little Shih Tzu in your dog’s background? Yes, says Dr. Neale Fretwell, head companion animal geneticist, Mars Veterinary. “The database was what we used to create breed signatures. Not every Collie had identical DNA, but two Collies are still much more

mixed Breeds rule!Your mutt’s pedigree-free charm is a blessing in disguise, because these dogs are often healthier than purebreds, says Dr. Neale Fretwell, head companion animal geneticist, Mars Veterinary. He notes that mixes are less likely to suffer from genetic disorders of any specific breed, because these require two recessive genes to occur. So Fluffy’s mismatched ears will likely be a part of your life for years to come.

What breeds make up this adorable canine?

DNA testing revealed that Rimsky is a Cocker Spaniel, Maltese and Norwich Terrier mix.

GueSS the breed

See the cover for an important message from your veterinarian.


General Wellness

alike than a Collie and a German Shepherd. Every dog is a puzzle,” Fretwell adds.

As it turns out, Milo had nothing in common with Collies, Retrievers—or any other “common” dog breed. After eight years of being incognito as just another lovable mutt, the test revealed a low degree of variation in his DNA markers, an indicator usually found in purebreds. His closest matches—German Shepherd, Great Pyrenees and Dalmation—weren’t close enough.

“So we had to investigate whether it was possible that the dog was a purebred breed the test doesn’t cover at present,” says Fretwell. Though the geneticist was conducting more research at press time, his view is that Milo is possibly a rare German breed called a Hovawart—an intelligent working dog whose name means “guardian of the estate” and one that can trace its origins to the Bronze Age. (Milo’s exact heritage can’t be positively identified until his breed is added to the database.)

Preventive MedicineNot every DNA test will uncover a glamorous lineage. What the test can do is give both the pet’s owner and veterinarian detailed information that’s necessary to keep the dog in optimal health and prevent typical illnesses for its breed. “If I know a dog has Boxer or Doberman Pinscher in its DNA, I recommend an EKG,” says Michael Rumore, DVM, Lake Seminole Animal Hospital, Seminole, Fla. “Both breeds are prone to cardiomyopathies [a category of heart disease]. But an EKG would be less of a priority for a Shih Tzu. Understanding what breeds are present in the dog’s DNA allows the owner and veterinarian to set priorities.”

In the future, this test may even be able to tell if a dog is prone to cancer. Fretwell says that the genetic markers for cancer in dogs are not yet known, but are the subject of research in academic laboratories. For now, though, DNA testing can help you better understand and care for your dog. n

Mary Scoviak is a Cincinnati,Ohio-based editor and writer.

39There are an estimated 39 million mixed-breed dogs in the United States.

Source: Mars Veterinary

did You KnoW?

Curious about your dog’s

breed? Talk to your veterinarian. The test requires

a blood sample drawn by your

veterinarian.

To learn moreTo find out more about dog breeds and DNA testing, visit:

n Wisdom PanelTM MX: www.wisdompanel.com

n Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition: www.waltham.com

n American Kennel Club: www.akc.org


When it comes to genetic information, what you don’t know may hurt your pet.

For example, Dobermans are often afflicted with bloat—not that uncomfortable feeling humans experience, but a serious medical condition that can be fatal if not treated within 24 hours. Dr. Neale Fretwell, head companion animal geneticist, Mars Veterinary, points out that Collies are especially prone to drug reactions and must be medicated with care.

Carol Osborne, DVM, adds that sight hounds, such as Whippets, have low body fat and are exceptionally sensitive to anesthesia. “It’s unlikely they’ll survive if they’re overdosed,” she cautions.

Each breed faces its own set of health risks, and DNA testing is a building block for any wellness program.

“Finding out what’s in your dog’s DNA doesn’t magically fix anything, but it does allow you and your veterinarian to work together to create a personalized health plan for your dog,” says Osborne.

Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s breed or mix of breeds and ask for a wellness plan based on these risk factors.

reasons to Know Your Dog’s Breed

Common Canine Health risks by Breed

AKITAAlASKAN MAlAMuTEAM. STAFF. TERRIERBASENjIBASSET HOuNDBEAglE BElgIAN TERVuRENBERNESE MOuNTAIN DOg

BICHON FRISEBORDER COllIE

BOSTON TERRIER

BOuVIER DES FlANDRESBOXERBRIARD

BRITTANY BullMASTIFF

Bull TERRIER

BullDOg (ENglISH)

BullDOg (FRENCH)

CAIRN TERRIER

CAVAlIER KINg CHARlES

CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVERCHIHuAHuA

CHOW CHOWCOCKER SPANIElCOllIEDACHSHuNDDAlMATIANDOBERMAN PINSCHERENglISH SETTERFINNISH SPITz

FOX TERRIER

gERMAN SHEPHERD

gOlDEN RETRIEVER

gORDON SETTERgREAT DANE

gREAT PYRENEES

gREYHOuND

IRISH SETTER

jACK RuSSEll TERRIER

lABRADOR RETRIEVER

lHASA APSO

MAlTESE

MASTIFF

MINIATuRE SCHNAuzER

NEOPOlITAN MASTIFF

NEWFOuNDlANDOlD ENglISH SHEEPDOg

OTTERHOuND

PEKINgESE

POINTER

POMERANIAN

POODlE

PugRHODESIAN RIDgEBACK

ROTTWEIlER

SAINT BERNARDSCOTTISH TERRIERSHAR PEISHETlAND SHEEPDOgSHIH TzuSIBERIAN HuSKY

SIlKY TERRIER

SPRINgER SPANIEl

WEIMARANER

WEST HIgHlAND WHITEWHIPPETYORKSHIRE TERRIER

DERM

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RISK INTENSITY High Moderate low Very low

SOuRCE: SuRVEY CONDuCTED WITH 93 VETERINARIANS, BEAVER CREEK, COlO., MAY 2007


EEvery year, pet owners flood into veterinary practices across the country to have their pets tested for heartworm disease, get preventative medication and then hope to not receive a call from their veterinarian saying their pet has tested positive.

What’s so important about this annual pilgrimage? “Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other species of mammals,” explains Sheldon Rubin, DVM and president of the American Heartworm Society (AHS).

These nasty worms can cause inflammation and block blood flow to your pet’s heart and lungs. Up to 250 worms can infect a dog, and each worm can grow up to 12 inches long. Heartworm is transmitted when a mosquito sucks the blood of an infected animal and then transfers the microfilaria, or heartworm larvae, when it bites the next animal.

An estimated 1 million dogs test positive for heartworm each year in the United States, a statistic that experts say is entirely preventable. “Prevention of heartworm disease using safe and effective medications as directed by your veterinarian is near 100 percent,” says Rubin.

Prevention vs. TreatmentTreatment is available for dogs unlucky enough to be infected, but it can be a grueling process. Dogs are injected with Immiticide®, an arsenic-based drug. Multiple treatments can be required, depending on how badly the

Parasite Control

Key PointsHeArTworm iS CAuSeD when an infected mosquito bites a dog or cat.

HeArTworm iNFeCTioN has severe health consequences, including inflammation and compromised heart and lungs. This can lead to permanent damage or death.

TreATmeNT For HeArTworm in dogs can be a grueling process requiring multiple injections, office visits, blood draws and cage rest, with costs rising up to $1,000.

THere iS No APProveD TreATmeNT for heartworm in cats.

HeArTworm iS oN THe riSe across the united States. All dogs and cats are at risk, no matter where you live. It can happen to your pet.

PreveNTioN iS eASY and comparatively inexpensive. For the cost of a Frappuccino once a month, you can protect your pet from this debilitating and deadly disease.

HAVE A

heartget your pets tested for heartworm every year— and be vigilant about preventatives to avoid this dangerous disease.

By Keri Weyenberg

Heartworm on the riseThink you don’t need to worry about heartworm? Think again. Every three years the American Heartworm Society conducts a study to see where more cases are popping up. The most recent completed study concluded in 2007 and showed for the third time since 2001 that heartworm rates had risen and that the area in which it is usually detected has expanded.

The disease is being found more frequently in the Northwest, a part of the country that was rarely affected before. Regions that have always fought heart-worm, such as the Mississippi Delta, South-central and Southeastern states, are experiencing a significant increase in the number of pets diagnosed.

Why the sudden upswing? Doug Carithers, DVM and vice president of the American Heartworm Society, suggests that it’s likely a combination of events. Changing weather patterns can allow mosquitoes to live longer or breed more. In the current economic climate, pet owners might be less likely to purchase preventative or to give it consistently. As testing methods get more advanced, veterinarians could be finding more cases that would have previously gone undiagnosed.

Average number of cases per reporting clinic<1 case/clinic n 1–5 cases/clinic n 6–25 cases/clinic

n 26–50 cases/clinic n 51-99 cases/clinic n 100+ cases/clinic

The severity of heartworm incidence shown in these maps is based on the average number of cases per reporting clinic. Some remote regions of the united States lack veterinary clinics, so there are no reported cases from these areas.

Source: ©American Heartworm Society

HeArTworm iNCiDeNCe 2001

HeArTworm iNCiDeNCe 2007

Heartworm disease is spreading across the

Southeastern united States, with most clinics reporting more than 26 cases

annually and some having upward of 100 cases.



Parasite Control

pet is affected. There are also repeated office visits, blood work and plenty of down time for the dog. Recovery can take up to three months or more, with the pet requiring cage rest or limited activity to prevent injury to the heart and lungs. All this can rack up to $1,000 in costs.

Michael Murray, DVM and technical director for Merial Limited, maker of the Heartgard line of preventatives, can’t stress the importance of prevention enough: “Prevention is a vastly superior alternative to treatment, being safer and less expensive,” he says. Adds Rubin, “It costs no more than a cup of Starbucks a month to prevent heartworm.”

A wide range of prevention drugs is available for dogs, including monthly oral medications, topicals and even a bi-annual injection. All preventatives work by killing the larvae that have infected the pet and that are under the pet’s skin, migrating towards their ultimate destination,

the heart and lungs. Talk to your veterinarian about the best method of prevention.

Protect Your CatsHeartworm disease is more common among dogs, but cats are also susceptible. In cats, heartworm infection can lead to a severe respiratory disease known as Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease, and in some cases, sudden death. Because there is no approved treatment for cats, prevention is all the more critical.

“There is no treatment available for our feline friends,” says Rubin. “The best option is to wait for the worm to die, about two to three years, and try to treat any resulting symptoms. Cats usually visit the veterinarian half as often as dogs and typically either survive the two years with heartworm without ever being diagnosed or die suddenly, making it difficult to estimate how many cats contract the disease.”

Have your cats tested each year, and talk to your veterinarian about the appropriate preventative. Even indoor cats should be given preventatives, because mosquitoes do get into homes and can potentially bite your pets.

Year-Round PreventionIn 2005, the American Heartworm Society updated its recommendations, extending the length of preventative treatment from nine months of the year to year round. The change was based on several key reasons:

n You are less likely to forget to give your pet a preventative if you are consistently giving it.

n Pets may travel with their owners to mosquito-populated areas.

n The possibility of milder winters could allow mosquitoes to live longer.

CaTS DoGSParasite Dirofilaria immitis Dirofilaria immitis

Transmission Mosquito Mosquito

Susceptibility to infection 61% to 90% Virtually 100% of of cats exposed to dogs exposed to infective infective larvae become infected larvae become infected

Duration of worms 2-3 years 5-7 years

organs most typically affected lungs Heart and lungs

Diagnosis Complex Relatively simple

Treatment •Noneapproved •1compoundapproved •Highriskofcomplications •Complicationsmanageable

Compounds for prevention 4 approved in u.S. Several approved in u.S.

Source: American Heartworm Society

At a glance: Heartworm Disease in Dogs and Cats

Heartworm Dos and Don’tsn Do get your pets tested every year

for heartworm.

n Do use year-round heartworm preventatives for both dogs and cats.

n Don’t share doses between pets.

n Don’t skip doses.

n Most preventatives also include medications that prevent other types of intestinal parasites, some that are transmissible to people.

Don’t forget the yearly heartworm test, even if your pet is on year-round preventative treatment. Sometimes we miss a treatment, or give it late. Or, your pet may vomit the pill when you’re not looking.

Because it can sometimes be harmful to give a heartworm preven-tative to a dog or cat that is already infected with heartworms, it’s imperative to make sure your veterinarian tests your pet every year. The AHS recommends waiting until the test results return with a negative result before giving preventative.

The biggest take-home message is it that heartworm disease can happen to your pet. Remember, AHS considers 1 million dogs testing positive every year to be a conservative estimate. With regular preventative treatment and routine veterinary care, your pet doesn’t have to become a statistic. n

Keri Weyenberg has been active in the veterinary community for nearly a decade. After a career as a technician and manager, she is currently pursuing admission to veterinary school.

PASSiNg THe TeSTTwo common tests for diagnosing heartworm are

the microfilaria filter test and the antigen test. The filter test is

a simple blood test that looks for microfilaria (mosquito larvae)

circulating in the pet’s blood. An estimated 15 percent to 20

percent of dogs that are actually heartworm positive won’t have

microfilaria circulating, so they’ll falsely test negative. That’s why

the American Heartworm Society recommends the antigen test.

The more accurate antigen test looks for proteins in the blood

that were released by female heartworms.


Each heartworm can grow up to 12 inches long.


dental health

TTooth resorption (the breakdown or destruction of a tooth, starting at the outer cementum and working its way in) occurs in a large percentage of our feline friends. Because the symptoms are difficult to see, cats often suffer silently with this painful condition.

Your veterinarian can help alleviate the problem, so it’s a good idea to include a dental exam in your cat’s overall wellness program.

Small red dots on the tooth, often at the gum line, are a common sign of tooth resorption (see Figure 1). These cavitations may be no more than ½ millimeter in diameter and are very difficult to detect without the experienced eye of your veterinarian. Other lesions are present under the gum line and do not show themselves until the disease is very advanced.

No one knows what causes these defects. We do know that something stimulates a cell called an odontoclast that destroys the tooth structure at a microscopic level. The destruction will progress, eventually destroying the entire crown and root unless detected early and treated by your veterinarian. Although your cat likely will show no signs of discomfort, once visible these lesions are often painful.

CavitiesGONE MAD?Tooth resorption in cats is painful but often goes undetected. Regular dental checkups and x-rays can help.

By Brett Beckman, DVm, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPm

Key PointsCATS NATurAllY hide their pain, just like their wild ancestors. So regular checkups may be the only way to detect tooth resorption.

TooTH reSorPTioN is best detected through x-rays.

THe CAuSe of tooth resorption in cats is not known, but it can be treated by extracting the tooth.

DeNTAl CHeCKS are more important for cats as they age.

Your veTeriNAriAN may recommend dental x-rays for your cats every 6 to 18 months.

Figure 1: The small pink area that is present above the gumline on this tooth is evidence of early tooth resorption.


Our domesticated feline friend’s instinct is to hide oral pain. Evolution has done a great job at teaching them that. They will eat despite any pain in the quest for survival, just as their wild ancestors did. They will often chew on unaffected teeth away from the source of pain to avoid contact of kibble with the painful area.

A Painful ProgressionTooth resorption in cats might be referred to as “a cavity gone mad,” because these defects will progress despite attempts at treating them. But the problem will also become worse without therapy (see Figure 2). Cavities (caries) in humans are treated by removing diseased tooth tissue and restoring the defect with a material similar to enamel and dentin. These cavities are caused by acids produced by certain bacteria. Cats do not normally have these bacteria. Fluoride helps to prevent cavities

in humans by making the enamel more resistant to this process, but fluoride does not prevent tooth resorption in our feline friends.

Because we do not know the exact cause of tooth resorption, we do not know how to prevent it from affecting our pets. Veterinary examinations are very important to help detect this condition early. Dental x-rays are the only accurate method of evaluating tooth resorption both above and below the gum line. Often tooth resorption will not be visible, and x-rays provide the only means of accurate detection.

Treating the ProblemWe can’t prevent tooth resorption, but we can accurately treat it by removing the tooth structure. The veterinarian will use nerve blocks to deaden the area, so the cat feels no pain upon waking. Postoperative analgesics are also recommended for several days to minimize or eliminate any residual pain.

Monitoring becomes extremely important, because most cats with resorptive lesions will experience more as they age. Rechecks as often as every six months may be needed to catch tooth resorption early. Ideally, dental x-rays should be taken every 6 to 18 months to monitor for additional disease.

Working with the veterinary staff to ensure early detection, proper treatment and periodic monitoring of tooth resorption will provide your feline friend with the best chance at maintaining a pain-free mouth. n

Dr. Brett Beckman is a specialist in veterinary dentistry.

Figure 2: Gone undetected, the gum adjacent to the resorption gets inflamed and painful. Extraction of this tooth provided this cat with a pain-free cure.

Did You Know? As many as 60 percent to 70 percent of all cats experience tooth resorption during their lives.

Source: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Journal of Veterinary Dentistry

X marks the Spotusing x-rays to detect tooth resorption is 2.4 times

more accurate than visual examination.

See the cover for an important message from your veterinarian.


Pet tales

Riker (shown here with certified

veterinary technician Gina Falish

and his owner, Carol Schussler)

donated 12 units of blood until

he retired this year.

Can your Pet Be a blood donor?

By Alison otto

Dog and cat blood donors can save lives—just like human

donors. Ask your veterinarian if your pet qualifies.


CCanine heroes come in many forms—rescue dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs, therapy dogs. Most are calm, cool and collected.

And then there’s Riker, a gregarious, 85-pound red Doberman Pinscher, known for his penchant for galloping through the house and yard, sliding full-speed into walls and other objects—and occasionally landing at the emergency veterinarian’s office in Grayslake, Ill.

That’s where his owner, Carol Schussler, heard about Animal Emergency & Treatment Center’s blood-donor program. A cancer survivor, Schussler could no longer donate her own blood. But as she and the program’s founder and certified veterinary technician, Gina Falish, soon discovered, Riker was a perfect candidate. The Doberman is rambunctious in his own back yard, but he’s willing to lie perfectly still during a 15-minute blood-donation procedure.

Donor HeroOver the course of three years, Riker has become an unlikely hero. Through his blood draws (allowed every eight weeks), the Doberman has donated 12 units of blood. Falish estimates that each of Riker’s donations has helped out four dogs in need of a blood transfusion.

Adds Schussler: “It’s no different than with people. Donating blood saves lives.”

The busy emergency and critical-care hospital

transfuses 20 to 30 pets per week, a result of varying emergencies, ranging from surgeries to dogs being hit by cars. Blood transfusions are also needed for dogs that have ingested rat poison; the poison is deadly to dogs because it inhibits blood clotting. With donations from Riker, Cujo the pit bull, Grady the mixed breed and other healthy pets (currently 70 dogs and 30 cats in all) among its client base, the hospital has built a blood bank that serves its own patients and those of neighboring veterinary practices.

Special PetsNot all dogs or cats are destined to be blood donors; it takes a special pet to qualify. The donation process is not long, but the pet must be willing to allow a needle to be inserted into the jugular vein in its neck. Falish estimates that two of 10 dogs will be selected for her program. The odds are even slimmer for cats: only one of 15 screened cats becomes a suitable donor.

As science delves deeper into the uses for animal-blood transfusions, and as pets are living longer lives, the need for donors has become more widespread. “Right now, there is a shortage of cat blood,” says Falish. Type B blood from cats is in particular demand; only about nine percent of cats, typically purebreds, have this blood type, Falish says.

But when pets make the cut, the rewards are great—

requiremeNTS For DoNATiNg BlooDAsk your veterinarian if your dog or cat qualifies to be a blood donor.

Your pet will undergo a physical exam and laboratory screening to determine its eligibility.Standards will vary, but here are general guidelines, provided by Animal Emergency & Treatment Center.

All pets should have no breeding history, be in good health and have a friendly disposition.

Visit Animal Emergency & Treatment Center’s website at www.aetcenter.com for more information.

CATSn 10 pounds or more

n 1 to 8 years of age

n Current on vaccinations

n FelV/FIV negative

DogSn 50 pounds or more

n 1 to 8 years of age

n Current on vaccinations


Pet tales

for their owners and for pets in need. Programs often offer perks to their blood donors, such as free heartworm tests. Each pet must undergo a physical exam and laboratory screening to qualify as a donor. And before each donation, the pet undergoes a mini wellness check, a free preventive-medicine plus.

Retired HeroAfter a recent visit, Riker is retiring from his duties as a blood donor. He will soon turn nine years old, the cut-off age for dogs. At the end of the 15-minute procedure, the Doberman gulps his treat of canned dog food (so enthusiastically that Falish drops it on the table and quickly moves away), and Falish wraps a “blood donor” bandana around his neck. He looks no worse for the wear, as he eyes a potential playmate in the waiting room.

Riker has retired a hero, and Falish continues her mission to get the word out. She is always looking for more donors. “The more people know about it, the more lives we can save,” she says.

Alison Otto is a Chicago-based writer and editor.

Know Your Pet’s Blood TypeCurious about your pet’s blood type? Consult your veterinarian. Dogs have 13 groups of blood types, which are described by DEA (dog erythrocyte antigen) followed by a number, such as DEA 1.1. Cat blood types are similar to human blood-type classifications, but they do not have the universal O blood type. The most well-known feline blood types are A, B and AB. Most cats have type A blood. (For more detail on blood types, see the Winter 2009 issue of Pet Quarterly.)

Riker is a universal donor (DEA 1.1 Negative

and DEA 7 Negative). His blood is kept as

whole blood or spun down and separated

into plasma and red cells, depending on

the needs of the hospital.

Caution: Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) Chewables is indicated for use in dogs to prevent canine heartworm diseaseby eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis) for a month (30 days) after infection andfor the treatment and control of ascarids (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum,Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense).

PRECAUTIONS: All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting treatment withHEARTGARD Plus which is not effective against adult D. immitis. Infected dogs must be treated to remove adultheartworms and microfilariae before initiating a program with HEARTGARD Plus.

While some microfilariae may be killed by the ivermectin in HEARTGARD Plus at the recommended doselevel, HEARTGARD Plus is not effective for microfilariae clearance. A mild hypersensitivity-type reaction,presumably due to dead or dying microfilariae and particularly involving a transient diarrhea, has beenobserved in clinical trials with ivermectin alone after treatment of some dogs that have circulating microfilariae.

Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children.ADVERSE REACTIONS: In clinical field trials with HEARTGARD Plus, vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hoursof dosing was rarely observed (1.1% of administered doses). The following adverse reactions have been reportedfollowing the use of HEARTGARD: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia,staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation.

SAFETY: HEARTGARD Plus has been shown to be bioequivalent to HEARTGARD, with respect to the bioavailabilityof ivermectin. The dose regimens of HEARTGARD Plus and HEARTGARD are the same with regard to ivermectin(6 mcg/kg). Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to theeffects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than 16 times the target use level) thandogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions which included mydriasis,depression,ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death. HEARTGARD demonstrated nosigns of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60 mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies. Results of these trials andbioequivalency studies support the safety of HEARTGARD products in dogs, including Collies, when usedas recommended.

HEARTGARD Plus has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs, includingpregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks. In clinical trials, many commonly usedflea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines and steroid preparations have been administeredwith HEARTGARD Plus in a heartworm disease prevention program.

In one trial, where some pups had parvovirus, there was a marginal reduction in efficacyagainst intestinal nematodes,possibly due to a change in intestinal transit time.

CHEWABLES

®HEARTGARD is a registered trademark, and ™the Dog & Hand Logo is a trademark, of Merial. ©2004 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.

we’d love to hear from you! Tell us how your veterinarian has helped you and your pet, and you could be featured in our next issue! E-mail us at [email protected].

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLEbANON

JUNCTION, KYPERMIT NO. 663

OraVet® was so effective for him, Frankie started

recommending it to all hisfriends – EVEN THE CATS.

Reduce dental plaque and calculus in your pet – with the OraVet® oral healthcare sytem.

Plaque is a clear, colorless film that builds up onthe surface of your pet’s teeth and can lead tothe formation of the hard, rough mineral depositsknown as calculus.

OraVet has been clinically proven to significantly reduce plaque and calculus formation in dogs and cats.*

Ask your veterinarian about OraVet today.

®ORAVET is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2009 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.

OVT09CNHALFPAGEAD.

*Data on file at Merial.

Below is a convenient place to jot down questions for your veterinarian.

Q:______________________________________________________

Q:_________________________________________________________

Q:________________________________________________________

Q:_______________________________________________________

pet quarterly - fall | volume 6, no. 4

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