How often does my cat or dog need their teeth cleaned? 

We recommend most dogs and cats come in once a year for a dental cleaning, starting around age two or three. However, there are some instances where a dog or cat may need to come in earlier or more frequently. 

Older Animals

Just like humans, animals they tend to develop more health issues as they age. In regards to oral health, older dogs and cats are more susceptible to tooth decay and more prone to tooth loss. For this reason, we suggest more frequent teeth cleanings for older pets.

Certain Dog Breeds

Some dog breeds require more dental care. Small breeds like chihuahuas have much smaller mouths, which can cause overcrowding of teeth. And dog breeds with “pushed in” faces like bulldogs and pugs may have malformed or crooked teeth, making them prone to dental issues. 

What happens during a dental cleaning? 

Before we start a dog or cat teeth cleaning procedure, we administer a general anesthetic. This allows your pet to stay comfortable during the cleaning, and prevents any accidental injuries to your pet or to the veterinarian. 

Just like your dentist does at your teeth cleanings, a veterinary dentist uses special tools to remove plaque build-up from teeth and gums. They will also polish your pet’s teeth to a nice healthy shine! 

During the dental cleaning, the veterinarian also looks for signs of any dental disease in your pet’s mouth, such as:

• Swollen and/or bleeding gums 
• Cracked, loose, or missing teeth
• Cavities
• Extremely bad breath

The veterinary dentist and their staff take x-rays of your pet’s mouth so they can check for any issues below the gums. And, if the veterinarian finds any teeth that need extraction, they will discuss your options with you. 

Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning in Gilbert, Arizona

Annual dental cleanings are the best way to make sure your pet’s mouth stays healthy and clean. Healthy teeth and gums help your pets eat well, keeps them free from dental pain, and ensures that they live their best lives. If it’s time to schedule a cat or dog teeth cleaning for your pet, call Anasazi Animal Clinic today at 480-497-0505.   

Photo by Cierra Voelkl on Unsplash

The post Do Dogs and Cats Need Their Teeth Cleaned? appeared first on Anasazi Animal Clinic.

Dog eye crust can be caused by a number of issues including allergies, irritants, or some more serious health concerns. You’ll need to gauge your dog’s behavior, and take them to a veterinarian when you recognize the signs of discomfort. At Anasazi Animal Clinic, we offer routine wellness exams as well as urgent care services for when your dog’s “off days” feel a bit too long. 

Types of Eye Discharge

While some types of eye crust are normal in dogs, others are the result of serious health issues. Differentiating between the different types of discharge can give you insight as to the best treatment plan for your pet.

• Small amount of crust: usually formed out of tears, oil, mucus, dust, etc. and most prominent in the morning after sleep. As long as the amount of goop doesn’t exceed what’s normal for your dog, it can be easily removed by wiping their eyes with a warm, wet cloth. 

• Watery Eyes: can be caused by allergies, something in the eye, an abnormality, a blocked tear duct, an eye wound, or glaucoma. If the seasons recently changed and your dog doesn’t appear to be experiencing much discomfort, watery eyes aren’t usually cause for concern. 

• Reddish-Brown Tear Stains: usually just a cosmetic concern for lighter dogs. Can be treated by wiping the area several times a day, keeping the fur trimmed short, and giving your dog a natural supplement. 

• White-Gray Mucus: a result of dog dry eye. Dogs with this condition can’t produce enough tears, so their bodies compensate with mucus. This causes red and painful eyes, and can lead to blindness if left untreated. 

• Yellow or Green Eye Discharge: result of an eye infection. Getting antibiotics from your veterinarian can easily solve this. 

Eye Diseases in Dogs

Epiphora

Epiphora, or water eyes, is often the result of abnormal eyelashes, inflammation, allergies, ulcers, tumors, or eye pain. It can be treated with antibiotics, steroids, or surgery. 

The plethora of causes means that as an owner you must carefully monitor the area surrounding your dog’s eyes. Noting changes in morning discharge and wateriness can make all the difference in an early diagnosis. 

Dog Dry Eye

Dog dry eye can be the result of an injury, or the result of your dog’s immune system attacking the tear-producing glands. As a coping mechanism for dry eye, mucus will form in the place of tears. However, mucus does not perform all the same functions as tears, and it could lead to pain and inflammation. 

In more serious cases, ulcers can form on your dogs eyelids from excessive eye scratching. Treatment for dry eye includes artificial tears, antibiotics, immunosuppressant drugs, and at times, surgery. 

Eye Crust Prevention

We recommend keeping your dog’s hair short around the eyes. Continuous cleaning around the eyes with a wet cloth will alleviate any discomfort your dog may be experiencing. Be wary of changes in the weather as well as any possible allergies. 

To check if there are any issues present, pull open your dog’s lower eyelids and check the color. If there is any white, you should call your veterinarian for a checkup. 

Schedule a Wellness Exam Today

At Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert, we always treat your pets with loving care. If your pet is experiencing discomfort associated with eye crust, please contact us right away. We are committed to your dog’s happiness and prolonged health. 

Photo by Mazlin Massey on Unsplash

The post How To Get Rid of Your Dog’s Eye Crust appeared first on Anasazi Animal Clinic.

Choosing a Cat Litter

There are an endless variety of cat litters on the market, and selecting the right one can make a world of difference in your cat’s happiness, as well as yours—but where to start? You can choose between crystal or pellet or clay components; opt for a litter with scents to mask smell; buy more absorbent brands; or even purchase eco-friendly brands. You’ll also notice that litter brands fall on a spectrum of affordable to more expensive. Wherever your price range and personal preferences land on that spectrum, here are our vetted (pun intended) recommendations:

• Does it clump well? Most cats prefer a litter that clumps well so that liquid waste is contained right away and solid waste can be covered. Clumping litter also makes it a lot easier to scoop out the box a few times a day, and it means you aren’t wasting litter by cleaning the entire box each time your cat relieves itself.
• Will it limit dust and tracking? As an owner, you will likely prefer a litter that does not cling to your cat and soil your floors once kitty’s paws leave the litter box and pitter-patter all over the house.
• Will the material hurt your cat’s paws? This is a major concern that cat owners face when choosing a crystal or pellet form of litter. Generally speaking, finer and softer particles will be more gentle and feel better underneath Fluffy’s feet while she does her business.
• Do you prefer more natural litter with fewer chemicals? It really comes down to personal preference. If it’s important to you, choosing a litter that is biodegradable and contains fewer chemicals can be an overall healthier choice for both cat and family.

Selecting the right litter for your cat’s litter box can mean the difference between proper elimination behavior or a refusal to use the box. At the end of the day, it can be hard to determine which litter your four-legged friend would prefer—until you test various brands. One option is to try a few kinds of litter in different litter boxes around the house and see which one is favored by your furry friend.

If you still have questions about selecting the right litter for your cat’s litter box—or for that matter, about any issue concerning your pet—Anasazi Animal Clinic is here to help. Give us a call today!

Photo by Sarah Pflug from Burst (8/14/2018)

The post Choosing the Right Litter for Your Cat’s Litter Box appeared first on Anasazi Animal Clinic.