All Smiles
Toothaches aren’t just for humans. Dogs can be afflicted, too. As young as four years old, dogs can have gum disease if they do not receive proper dental care.
Just as in us humans, gum disease occurs in two forms: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is an irritation and swelling of the gums. It’s caused when tartar builds up on the tooth along the gum line and creates pockets between the gum and the tooth where bacteria can develop. Over time, the bacteria can infect the gums.
Untreated gingivitis eventually leads to periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when the infection takes its toll on the roots of teeth, causing decay, which in time can lead to tooth loss. Abscesses may also develop. This stage of gum disease can be painful.
One sure sign of gingivitis is bad breath. Gums may also be swollen, tender and may bleed easily. Other signs of disease may be excessive drooling, tooth pain, sneezing or nasal discharge, tumors or cysts and loose teeth.
The best defense is prevention. Gingivitis responds well to treatment, which includes regular professional cleaning as well as regular at-home brushing two to three times a week. Use specially developed canine toothpaste and finger brushes to brush your dog’s teeth. You can also use the toothpaste with a piece of gauze or a washable dish rag wrapped around your finger.
In additional to brushing, take a few minutes every week to inspect your dog’s mouth for gum and oral disease. Healthy gums are usually pink, not white or red, and are not swollen, painful or bleed to the touch. Consult your veterinarian for the proper brushing method as well as advice in selecting dental chew toys and diet to keep your dog’s pearly whites pearly white.
- Teresa Brown

Posted 01/15/2010 | Share This | Get Email | Get FREE Magazine

Scaredy-dog
Saucer eyes, panting, trembling, drooling, cowering or hiding. Fear can be an awful emotion to watch and a difficult behavior to change in a dog. While it may not seem painful, fear can be debilitating and can lead to destructive or aggressive behavior, from chewing on door frames to biting.
Not all fearful dogs have been abused or have suffered a tragic past. Some dogs are simply more fearful than others. Fear is a natural emotion. Without it, many wild animals would not survive encounters with humans or other animals. Problems arise when fear degrades quality of life.
The first step to health is help. Never punish or coddle fear. Instead, a veterinarian should thoroughly examine the dog and eliminate any physiological reason for the behavior.
Keep a log of the events or situations that scare your dog. You might notice your dog panics if it sees a man in a hat, but doesn’t react around hatless people. Perhaps objects with wheels set your dog into a panic attack, or maybe it tries hiding when strangers come into your home.
These situations or events are called “triggers.” Knowing your dog’s triggers can help you teach your dog to cope with these fears. It doesn’t matter what caused the fear; it matters that you know the triggers and can take steps to minimize your dog’s reaction.
Treatment is multipronged and should be done under your vet’s guidance. Gradual desensitizing, exercise, massage or acupuncture treatments may help. There are also over-the-counter calming aids, such as the flower essence Rescue Remedy, anxiety coats designed for use during storms, and in extreme cases, medication for short-term or situational use.
It will take time and effort, but it is manageable. While fear is natural, it shouldn’t destroy a dog’s quality of life.
- Teresa Brown

Posted 12/15/2009 | Share This | Get Email | Get FREE Magazine

Pet Hollywood Stars
Sad eyes or a slobbery head shake, animal actors have tall orders to fill on the set, but under the Hollywood glamour, they’re just like our pets.
Look at “Morris,” the cat of 9Lives cat food fame. Adopted from a Chicago-area animal shelter in 1968 by a professional animal trainer, the first Morris was originally named “Lucky.” He was the face for 9Lives from 1969-1975, when he died. Through the years, several cats have taken on the food-opinionated tabby role, and all of them were rescues.
The lovable Jack Russell terrier on the television show Frasier was a behavioral nightmare. “Moose” played “Eddie” on the series, but in his pet life, he was a barking, destructive chewing, cat-chasing scamp. A perpetual escape artist, he was re-homed because of his hard-to-manage behavior. A professional animal trainer saw potential in the fiery little dog and Moose worked for eight years on the show. He passed away in 2006.
Most actors salivate for opportunity to work with Tom Hanks, much less slobber on him. In 1989, “Turner and Hooch” hit the silver screen with Hanks playing opposite to a Dogue de Bordeaux (French mastiff). “Beasley” was a 100-plus pound dog with saliva-dripping jowls and droopy eyes that begged for a burger or three. Beasley’s only acting gig was in the Hanks comedy. He owned and trained by a professional animal trainer and passed away in 1992.
All pet stars are pretty much like our furry friends. Some have humble beginnings and others play havoc in the house. Even though our pets might not be a Hooch, Eddie or even a Morris, they have their own special stardom. As loved family members, they are the stars in our eyes.
- Teresa Brown

Posted 11/24/2009 | Share This | Get Email | Get FREE Magazine

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