January/February 2015 Issue of Pet Me! Magazine by Pet Me! Magazine

January/February 2015

Your Guide To All Things Pets

Smitten

Kittens

PLUS: FeLV: Feline Leukemia Virus Dangerous Foods for Dogs and Cats Witness At Ventura Ridge & Much More!

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Contents 4 Smitten Kittens 10 FeLV: Feline Leukemia Virus 11 Awesome Adoptables 12 Take Caution: Dangerous Foods for Dogs and Cats 15 Valencia Canine Rehabilitation Therapy Comes To Santa Clarita 16 Witness At Ventura Ridge 20 Passion in Dental Care 22 Directory for All Things Pets 23 One Special Little Lady!

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email: petadv@petmemag.com Web: www.petmemag.com PUBLISHER Bridget Alves EDITOR Caroline Squires ART DIRECTOR Doug Conboy COVER PHOTO Christina Kay Burlison PUBLISHED BY Pet Me! Publications

Hopefully you rang in the New Year with wagging tails, paws prancing around your house, and wet kisses. As we embark upon a New Year, we look forward to another year filled with informative, entertaining, and inspiring stories to share with you. This issue is filled with stories of hope, rejuvenation, and promise. 2015 is starting off with a tale of two “Smitten Kittens” whose story will tug at your heartstrings. Their story reminds me of how pets are our constant companions, but they can also rely on one another and provide comfort and security to each other when we are absent. Sometimes the bonds pets can have with each other can rival that of the bonds they share with their humans. February is National Pet Dental Month, so be sure to have your pet’s teeth checked as many clinics provide a discount in order to bring awareness to this important health topic. The article, “Passion in Dental Care,” written by Dr. Vandersande, explains why having your pet’s teeth checked regularly leads to a better quality of life for them and can prevent more serious health problems from developing. Also for pet owners, we’ve included a reference article about which foods are dangerous to dogs and cats. With holiday treats and leftovers still lingering, be sure to review the list to keep your pet(s) safe. As always, thank you for your wonderful email and kind support. Please continue sending your input as it assists us in providing you with the information you want. We appreciate the privilege of bringing you Pet Me! Magazine.

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Smitten Kitte

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n ens

By Caroline Squires

alentine’s Day is every day for Sheba and Tony, two lucky one-year-old Siamese cats that seem to be soul mates. The affection they show for each other might seem rare to people who think of cats as more independent and aloof creatures. Sheba and Tony’s heartwarming story began when Southern California Siamese Rescue (CASR) rescued them from a high kill L.A. animal shelter in late June. After they had been there for about 4-5 days, CASR was told that they had to pick the two cats up by 5 p.m. or they would be euthanized. The shelter staff said they were sick with an upper respiratory infection and getting worse because they were too agitated to be given medication. A volunteer from CASR left work and went to the shelter and found the Siamese kitties were a bonded pair who had been separated – and both very sweet. Apparently, the owner had surrendered them and didn’t want to pay the surrender fee – so she said they were strays. By law, strays cannot be adopted for 4-5 days, whereas if the owner surrenders them and pays the fee, the pet can be adopted right away. Because Sheba and Tony had to wait 4-5 days to be adopted and were separated, they became sick and were in urgent need of rescue.

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continued from page 5 Since Sheba and Tony are so bonded, it must have been a very stressful and depressing time for them to be separated from each other. Eventually, they had stopped eating and drinking. CASR knew they needed to rescue them before their time ran out at the shelter. Once rescued, they were placed into a foster home with Christina Kay of San Diego where they

received prompt medical care. Tony and Sheba were reunited and spent their time recovering either curled up with one another or cuddled on a bed together. Sheba was too sick to be spayed and it took almost a month before both she and Tony got better. Within that month, Sheba’s belly grew and it was determined she was pregnant. Kay described how early on a Sunday morning “Sheba

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jumped up on my bed between my husband and I and started purring really loudly and then started having her kittens.” Sheba gave birth to five healthy babies. “My husband went out to feed the other cats while I stood by her, her mate (Tony) did not go to eat, but instead he came on the bed and helped her clean the newborn kittens and comfort her. He stayed near her and helped with cleaning the kittens every day.” For Kay, the “awww” factor didn’t stop there, when the kittens cried, Sheba and Tony would run to them. Tony also watched over them, groomed them, and would roughhouse with them. He would run up and down the cat tree, bat at them, and run after them while Sheba took a much-needed break. During the first few months, mom, dad, and all five kittens would lay together, which created the most adorable scene imaginable. Tony did and still does wrap his legs around Sheba when they take a nap together. These two soul mates stay in close proximity to one another and continue to act very nurturing towards one another. Siamese cats are characterized as being more sensitive than other cats, are vocal, and will usually attach themselves to one person. In this case, Sheba and Tony found that they enjoy the company of one another more so than that of a human companion. Due to the fact that it would be heartbreaking to split up

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continued from page 7 the purr-fectly paired duo, Kay became what is known in the rescue world as a foster failure and decided to keep Sheba and Tony because they are very special to her, and they fit in well with her other cats and with her family. Kay shared, “I foster, volunteer, network, and donate money to various rescues to help animals on death row. When I see that the time is up on the ones we are networking and then [those cats] are killed, I sometimes cry; it’s very emotional, as I cannot save them all. But then I look at Sheba and Tony, and I know I can make a difference with a few. “ Kay, like many, hopes that someday all shelters will be no kill, so that no one has to go through heartbreaking situations. Sheba and Tony’s kittens are three and a half months old now and are available for adoption through Southern California Siamese Rescue. CASR stated, “We’ve always been amazed at the number of homeless Siamese in the shelters and on the streets. Due to the nature of the Siamese cat, they don’t do well in shelters and due to civilization; they don’t do well on the streets. That’s where we come in. We work extensively with shelters and individuals to save these cats before they

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are euthanized in the shelters or killed on the streets. We feel that it is not the cat’s fault that they become homeless. In order to make sure they don’t end up that way again, we provide thorough screening of potential adopters before sending any of our cats to their ‘forever’ homes.” If you would like further information on how to adopt or become a foster, please visit their website at www. http:// cs.siameserescue.org/.

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FeLV: Feline Leukemia Virus By Jaimie Ronchetto, DVM

eline leukemia virus is a very serious disease of cats. It is a retrovirus that is spread from cat to cat via secretions: saliva and blood being the most common. An infected cat may pass on the virus by grooming another cat, via blood or saliva from cat fights, or from mother to fetus during pregnancy. The virus does not live very long outside of the cat’s body and is easily killed with household disinfectants. Kittens and young cats, as well as cats that go outside or from catteries, are at increased risk. Most cats (about 70%) that are exposed or become infected can eliminate the virus and will become immune. However, in those cats that do not clear the infection, the virus suppresses the immune system and can make the cat much more prone to secondary infections. Later on in the disease process, the virus can affect the bone marrow, causing anemia, or cause lymphoma. Cats that are carriers of the virus may look apparently healthy or they may exhibit any of these signs: lethargy, fever, anorexia, diarrhea, progressive weight loss and weakness, pale or yellow mucous membranes, enlarged lymph nodes, infections of the bladder, skin or respiratory tracts. There are very easy tests your veterinarian can perform to

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test for the presence of the FeLV virus. The first test typically done is an ELISA test (typically referred to as an FeLV snap test at most hospitals). The ELISA test is a reliable test as it is very sensitive and checks for FeLV proteins in the cat’s blood. Because it is so sensitive, it can detect very early disease. Another blood test, called the IFA test, detects more progressive disease. Usually if a cat tests positive for ELISA, the veterinarian will then run the IFA test at an outside laboratory to confirm. The veterinarian may recommend other diagnostic tests if the cat is showing other clinical signs as well. There is no effective treatment for the virus and 85% of persistently infected cats will die within three years of the diagnosis. That is why vaccination against this virus is so important, especially for indoor-outdoor cats and those who live in shelters and catteries. All cats should be tested for FeLV first, to make sure they are negative for the disease prior to receiving the vaccine. FeLV infected cats should be seen by a veterinarian twice a year to monitor their health, which helps to prevent secondary infections. Additionally, any FeLV infected cat should be kept strictly indoors to help prevent spread to other cats.

Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Awesome

Adoptables

To adopt one of these pets please contact Castaic Animal Shelter at (661) 257-3191 or visit the website at http://animalcare.lacounty.gov. All cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and come with a free vet visit.

AWESOME SENIORS IN NEED AT THE CASTAIC SHELTER

Charlene – Sweetest Charlene is a lovely, cuddly girl who would make a perfect companion for another mellow cat or as a cherished single pet. She has the prettiest face and personality to match. She was surrendered for having an accident in the wrong place, but has not put a foot wrong since being at the shelter. She deserves an amazing home.

Jimmy – Black Beauty Jimmy Wants Your Lap. This 8-year-old boy was surrendered to the shelter because his owner was traveling too much. He is an indoor cat who likes other cats and loves to meet people. He is super friendly and happy, and he would be a great mellow cat for any family.

Angel – Darling little Angel doesn’t know how she ended up in the shelter. She is a sweet and affectionate little girl who loves to have her chin rubbed. She was found as a stray and the family that took her in had allergies, so they had to surrender her. She deserves a family to cherish her and cuddle her every night. Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Take Caution: Dangerous Foods for Dogs and Cats

t’s hard to ignore the soulful eyes of our four-legged friends as they watch us while we’re eating. Sometimes it feels like their eyes are laser beams and track our every move. They are skilled at making us feel like we owe them a taste of whatever we are munching on, however, sharing certain types of food can be very dangerous. Whether we mean to or not, sometimes our pets ingest foods that can be harmful to their health. Take caution to make sure your pet(s) never gets access to the foods below. Avocado No matter how good you think the guacamole is, you shouldn’t give it to your dog. Avocados contain a substance called persin. It’s harmless for humans who aren’t allergic. But large amounts might be toxic to dogs. If you happen to be growing avocados at home, keep your dog away from the plants. Persin is in the leaves, seed, and bark, as well as in the fruit. Alcohol Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol -- none of it’s good for your dog or cat. That’s because alcohol has the same effect on your pet’s liver and brain that it has on humans. But it takes far less to do its damage. Just a little can cause vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma, even death; the smaller the dog, the greater the effect. Onions and Garlic Onions and garlic in all forms -- powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated -- can destroy a pet’s red blood

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cells, leading to anemia. That can happen even with the onion powder found in some baby food. An occasional small dose is probably OK. But just eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts regularly can cause poisoning. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness. Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeine Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a dog. And, there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding. In addition to tea and coffee - including beans and grounds -- caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. It’s also in some cold medicines and pain killers. These and other caffeinated drinks and foods can cause your cat to become restless, have rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors. Grapes and Raisins Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for dogs. But it’s not a good idea. Although it isn’t clear why, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog ill.

Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Repeated vomiting is an early sign. Within a day, the dog will become lethargic and depressed. The best prevention is to keep grapes and raisins off counters and other places your dog can reach. Milk and Other Dairy Products On a hot day, it may be tempting to share your ice cream cone with your dog. But if your dog could, it would thank you for not doing so. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive upset, as well as set up food allergies (which often manifest as itchiness). Cats can become lactose intolerant when they become adults. If ingested by these cats, dairy products can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Macadamia Nuts Dogs should not eat macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts because they can be fatal. As few as six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog ill. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate. Eating chocolate with the nuts will make symptoms worse, possibly leading to death.

Candy and Gum Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause an increase in the insulin circulating through your dog’s body. That can cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures. Liver failure can occur within just a few days. Chocolate Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but it’s also bad for cats too. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobro-

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mine; it’s in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate, chocolate mulch, and unsweetened baking chocolate. Eating chocolate, even just licking the icing bowl, can cause a dog or cat to vomit, have diarrhea, and be excessively thirsty. It can also cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death. Fat Trimmings and Bones Table scraps often contain meat fat that a human didn’t eat and bones. Both are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause pancreatitis in dogs. And, although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, a dog can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog’s digestive system. It’s best to just forget about the doggie bag. Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums The problem with these fruits is the seeds or pits. The seeds from persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine in dogs. They can also cause intestinal obstruction. Obstruction is also a possibility if a dog eats the pit from a peach or plum. Plus, peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs. The difference is humans know not to eat them—dogs don’t. Raw Eggs There are two problems with giving your dog raw eggs. The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. The second is that an enzyme in raw eggs interferes with the absorption of a particular B vitamin. This can cause skin problems as well as problems with your dog’s coat if raw eggs are fed for a long time. 14 Pet Me! Magazine™

Raw Meat and Fish Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria, which can cause food poisoning. In addition, certain kinds of fish such as salmon, trout, shad, or sturgeon can contain a parasite that causes “fish disease” or “salmon poisoning disease.” If not treated, the disease can be fatal within two weeks. The first signs of illness are vomiting, fever, and big lymph nodes. Thoroughly cooking the fish will kill the parasite and protect your dog. Please consult your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist first before adding these foods to your cat’s diet, as there is a risk vomiting, diarrhea, Salmonella or E. coli associated with these foods for some animals, especially when given improperly. Salt It’s not a good idea to share salty foods like chips or pretzels with your dog. Eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, and seizures. It may even cause death. Tuna Tuna when made into cat food is perfectly fine for cats. On the other hand, tuna sold for human consumption may cause digestive upset when given as an occasional treat in small amounts. It can even cause a painful condition called steatitis, or inflammation of the body’s fat, when fed to cats on a regular basis. Information from pets.webmd.com

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Valencia Canine Rehabilitation Therapy Comes To Santa Clarita

ave you or someone you know ever had an accident or injury and then saw the benefit of physical therapy help heal your injury, regain strength, leading to a more optimal outcome? Have you ever wondered if this type of therapy existed for your dog or cat? The answer is yes; veterinary rehabilitation therapy is available for your canine or feline friend. Although mainly geared to help animals recover from accidents or injury, orthopedic and neurologic surgeries, it is also helpful in weight control and arthritis pain management. Rehabilitation therapy is also utilized in the conditioning and preventative injury of companion or show/sport animals that compete in conformation showing, obedience, agility, and others. The objective is aimed at maximizing recovery from injury/ surgery while improving and returning to more normal function. This is accomplished by various treatment modalities including cold and heat therapy, massage, passive range of motion/stretching, cold laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, aquatic therapy, and therapeutic exercises. This multimodal approach is tailored to the individual pet, and addresses pain management, earlier weight bearing, prevents muscle atrophy, improves range of motion, balance and proprioception while later increasing strength,

flexibility, and endurance. The result is an injury that heals with less stress and pain, with optimal return to normal function. In January 2015, Valencia Canine Rehabilitation will open and become Santa Clarita Valley’s first rehabilitation practice dedicated to animal rehabilitation. Kimberly Caruso, DVM, DACVP, CCRT and Baljit Grewal, DVM have joined forces in this endeavor; they saw many orthopedic cases that had complications such as delayed use of limb, muscle atrophy, prolonged pain, and delayed union of fractures that would have likely been minimized had these patients been able to participate in a rehabilitation program post-operatively. It is standard protocol for human patients to utilize physical therapy, and this type of therapy needs to be more available to our companion animals. Dr. Caruso is experienced in both general and emergency small animal practice, is a board certified veterinary pathologist, and is also certified as a canine rehabilitation therapist (CCRT) by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in Coral Springs, Florida. She looks forward to working with referring veterinarians and surgeons, and pet owners in order to help their animals recover more quickly post injury or surgery, improving the health and wellbeing of our animal friends.

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WITNESS AT

VENTURA

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

RIDGE By Suzette Carter

racy, Jan, and I began our hike up the steep incline to the ridge at the top of the hill. Once we got to the top, we would trek in the direction to the Pacific Ocean, where we hoped to experience a breathtaking view of the vast water below with it’s bobbing water vessels, wind surfers, and the Channel Islands. With us were: The General, a small version of a Dachshund who belongs to Tracy, and Bailey, an American Rottweiler belonging to me. As we ascended the trail, we walked above the low-lying, misty fog drifting in from the ocean and into direct sunlight from above. The ridge was warmer than anticipated. We turned in the direction of the Pacific Ocean and continued our hike, making several stops to hydrate the dogs and ourselves. The hike was longer than we had anticipated; our water was dwin-

dling and the heat was increasing, but nevertheless, we continued to the spot of the ocean overlook. Our efforts paid off with the breathtaking view we experienced, but the heat affected Bailey to the point that she had to rest often. Rottweiler’s come from cold countries and bare layers of insulating fur for protection. Every time we came across a bit of shade Bailey would lie down and rest awhile. We accommodated her difficulties while, at the same time, we continued getting back to our starting place. The General didn’t slow for a minute. He moved ahead with determined energy. We finally reached the trail leading down from the ridge. It was just as steep going down as it was going up. The trail was topped with loose dirt and small rocks, which caused us to slip occasionally. As usual, Bailey stopped often to rest. About three fourths of the way down the trail, Bailey laid down close to a short bush to rest. We all used the time to rest and rehydrate. As we rested, we noticed a young woman starting up the trail below us. She was with two large mixed-breed dogs. As is the usual custom, we tethered our dogs on their

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continued from page 17 respective leashes and watched as she did the same with her dogs. We commented to each other regarding her responsible act of leashing her dogs before she approached us. Tracy led her small dog, The General, to the far right of the trail. I sat down next to my dog, Bailey, as she rested. Jan stood next to me, and we watched as Tracy walked her dog slowly downhill as far to the right as she could. The young woman also stayed to her right and began up the hill with her dogs. When the woman with her two dogs was almost directly across from Tracy and The General, it happened! The large dogs rushed directly at Tracy and her small dog. Tracy tried to run forward with her dog, but she couldn’t escape. The woman held onto her dogs’ leashes. She fell, and the dogs dragged her across the rocky ground. Dust was rising up under her as she was pulled violently across the trail. The two large dogs reached The General and snarled and bit at him. The General tried to fight back, but he was no match for the massive attack--howling and barking spread through the air as dust circled around. Tracy pulled on the shoulders and backs of the large dogs the best she could, but they ignored her. She tried reaching her dog to extricate him, but one of the dogs had his mouth completely around The General’s neck. I watched, sitting quietly next to my dog, Bailey, who was also sitting quietly. The two of us looked on as the attack occurred. We didn’t respond in any way. We sat calmly. Suddenly, I heard Jan declare loudly, “I’ve got to help.” With that announcement, Jan rushed forward towards the battleground with dust flying and dogs and leashes and two people frantically trying to stop the fight. I watched Jan carefully. She approached the scene quickly and suddenly stopped. All of the people and all of the dogs also suddenly stopped. The General walked calmly out of the small battlefield that he had been imprisoned in. In a firm voice, Jan instructed Tracy to pick up her dog. Tracy reached down and picked up her small warrior. The large dogs stopped their fighting. They laid quietly on the trail breathing heavily from their efforts. The dust swirling in the wind floated away. The crying and screaming of the women stopped. Just that quickly, it all stopped. I nudged Bailey indicating we needed to get up. Together, we walked slowly to the left around the woman who had been dragged across the trail by her dogs. She was still lying straight out on her belly. Exhaustion surrounded the trio. As I passed by her, the woman cried softly, “I’m sorry. Really. I’m very sorry.” I acknowledged her apology with a non-condemning “Yes, I know.” I reached Jan and Tracy who held The General. She cradled him in her arms, as he laid against her chest. She stroked 18 Pet Me! Magazine™

his side. His eyes looked frozen and locked into place. His body was moving in tight rapidity. He appeared as though his heart would explode at any moment, as she carried him home. Slowly, The General began to breath normally. His eyes started to move towards Tracy, and his body became calm. When we reached home, we searched for puncture wounds, cuts, or any damage he may have received. We found none. He soon started acting like his old self, as if nothing ever happened. I thought privately how Jan was able to change the course of what could have been a very brutal ending for The General. He simply walked out of his entrapment. But how simple was this? Were there other matters bearing on the outcome? Was it because Jan’s sudden appearance momentarily caused the dogs to hesitate in their fierce attack and that moment was used by The General to extricate himself? Was it divine intervention? I sincerely believe the young woman with the large dogs did not anticipate such an encounter. It also occurred to me that all of us, including the dogs, helped to create this remarkable outcome. We know our dogs to be loyal to us, but on this day each of us were loyal to them. Each of us with a dog, stayed with our dog(s). For Tracy and the young woman, it was a rough and tumble task, and for Jan, she ran directly into harm’s way to save The General. The large, aggressive dogs taught their owner the conse-

Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

quences of inexperienced dog handling. The General never stopped defending himself, in spite of the overwhelming odds against his survival. The plaintiff cries of Tracy persuaded her friend to run to her aide without hesitation. Jan had a goal to help but no plan as to how she would accomplish it. She carried nothing more than the armor of courage as she boldly ran to help her friend. This event of aggression, fear, struggle, fight, courage, and grace had a wonderful ending. And with my dog, Bailey, calmly at my side, I was proud to serve as the witness at Ventura Ridge.

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Passion in

By Vanessa Vandersande DVM

et dental health is a passion of mine. I was fortunate to study under one of the East Coast’s prominent board certified veterinary dentists and ever since have been amazed by the many and varied repercussions of good dental health. I have had cats with bad teeth promptly gain as much as a pound after successfully clearing up their dental disease. After a canine dental cleaning, I have had a client tell me that her elderly dog started wagging its tail again after three years of no tail wagging. I had a patient who kept walking backwards and no one could figure out why; after some bad teeth were removed, it stopped walking backward. The level of pain that animals suffer without showing any obvious symptoms is astounding and nothing makes me happier than when clients come in for their pet’s dental recheck with a story of newfound happiness, improved appetite, and increased vigor. These stories have cemented my passion for high quality dentistry. Signs of dental disease can widely vary and there are differences among species. Some obvious signs are: bad breath, swelling of the cheeks, tooth grinding or broken teeth. More

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PET SITTING – Your House or Mine Sl l Sleepovers welcome No Crates ~ Just Cuddles

Marlee (661) 251-3873 Dogone-it@hotmail.com

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frequently the signs are so subtle you would never notice them. A slow weight loss over many months, drooling, slightly crabby behavior, or change in the pet’s usual routine are much more frequent presentations. These changes may be easily overlooked by owners, but our weapon in this fight is your pet’s annual exam. When we examine your pet’s teeth every year, we are carefully looking for signs of disease to determine the need for a cleaning. Once blood work and heart health have been cleared, we schedule the dental. The pet will have an IV catheter placed for fluid support and sensors to monitor heart rhythm and oxygen levels. Once the pet is under anesthesia, a complete set of dental X-rays are taken. This is one of the most important parts of the dental procedure. It is impossible to evaluate the roots of the teeth without X-rays, and the roots are important since they are the attachment point of the tooth to the skull. We look for signs of bone loss around the roots, cracks or holes in the teeth themselves, or sometimes roots that remain be-

Pet Me! Magazine™ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Dental Care hind long after the crown of the tooth has broken off, leaving an excellent seed for infection. These things can only be seen with X-rays. At this point, we call the pet’s owner and discuss what we have found. If all the teeth are healthy, we rejoice, clean well under the gum line, polish, apply fluoride, and wake the pet up. If teeth need to be removed for the pet’s overall health, extractions begin. A local anesthetic is given, just as a human dentist would do. Single rooted teeth are wiggled out using special tools. Multiple rooted teeth are divided into sections using a drill first and then extracted. Sometimes a root is so large that a window in the bone must be created and that is managed with a very small, delicate drill. The remaining tissue defect is closed with absorbable suture, allowing the gum to completely heal together and providing the pet with a disease free mouth. Post dental pain control and antibiotics are important to healing. Several research papers have indicated that excellent pain control improves speed and quality of healing. Once your pet is awake, we call to let you know that they have done well

under anesthesia and arrange for a discharge appointment. After the dental, we always discuss preventive medicine, so we can minimize dental care in the hospital and keep it at home where it will be more economical and beneficial for your dog or cat. Come and experience high quality dental care at Copper Hill Animal Clinic, for lasting value and health for your pet. We would love to hear your story of the improved quality of life that comes with your pet’s dental care. Copper Hill Animal Clinic is located at 27935 Seco Canyon Road in the CVS shopping center and offers a dental discount in the month of February. Please call (661) 296-8848 to schedule an appointment.

Pet Me! Magazine™

Cal Pet Crematory (310) 278-0633 (818) 983-2313 (323) 875-0633 www.calpet.com Guardian Animal Aftercare (818) 768-6465 www.guardianaftercare.com Pawpular Pet Suppliers Fox Feed 17028 Sierra Highway Canyon Country, 91387 (661) 252-9790 www.foxfeed.com Open House Nov. 8 Dermatology for Pets Amy Shumaker, DVM, DACVD Valencia Veterinary Center 23928 Summerhill Lane Valencia, CA 91354 (661) 855-4870 www.dermatologyforanimals.com Animal Control Centers Castaic Animal Shelter 31044 N. Charlie Canyon Rd. Castaic (661) 257-3191 www.animalcare.lacounty.gov Lancaster Animal Shelter 5210 W. Ave. I Lancaster, CA 93536 (661) 940-4191 www.animalcare.lacounty.gov Rescue Organizations Visit our website for a complete list of rescue organizations

Best Friends Pet Adoption Center 15321 Brand Blvd., Mission Hills, CA 91354 (818) 643-3989 Bestfriends.org Brittany Foundation Agua Dulce (661) 713-5240 www.brittanyfoundationonline.org

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Pets

for all things Citizens for Sheltered Animals, Inc. 21150 Alaminos Dr, Saugus, CA 91350 (661) 513-9288 www.citizensforshelteredanimals.com Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue (661) 273-9822 www.forgottenangelsrescue.org Furever Purr Rescue (818) 635-6473 castaiccats@aol.com New Leash On Life Animal Rescue adopt@nlol.org (661) 255-0097 Ratz Nest Rat Rescue (661) 303-7872 www.ratznest.weebly.com Saffyre Sanctuary (Horse Rescue) Sylmar, CA www.saffyresanctuary.org Save A Kitty, Inc. (818) 825-3096 www.SaveaKittyCA.org PetSave Foundation Bunny Rescue (661) 478-7360 www.petsave.org St. Bonnie’s Sanctuary/ Lange Foundation 27567 Oak Spring Canyon Rd. Canyon Country, CA 91387 (661) 251.5590 http://langefoundation.com Great Groomers Dogs Etc. 24886 Apple Street Newhall, CA (661)254-1601 Precious Pets 27737 Bouquet Cyn. Rd. Suite 124 Saugus, CA 91350 (661) 296-2020

Trusted Vets In and Around SCV

All Creatures Veterinary Center 22722 Lyons Ave # 5 Newhall, 91321-2876 (661) 291-1121 www.wecarevets.com Animal Medical Center 25848 McBean Parkway Valencia, 91355 (661) 255-5555 www.amcvalencia.com Canyon Country Veterinary Hospital 18840 Soledad Canyon Road Canyon Country, 91351-3772 (661) 424-9900 www.wecarevets.com Cinema Veterinary Centre 23460 Cinema Drive, Unit L Valencia, 91355 (661) 253-9300 www.cinemavet.com Copperhill Animal Clinic 27935 Seco Canyon Rd. Santa Clarita, CA 91350 (661) 296-8848 Happy Pets Veterinary Center 27550 Newhall Ranch Road Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 295-9972 www.happypetsveterinary.com Peaceful Pets In-Home Euthanasia Services (661) 621-3750 peacefulpetsinhome@gmail.com www.peacefulpetsservices.com Valencia Veterinary Center 24036 Summerhill Ln. Santa Clarita, 91354 (661) 263-9000 www.bestvalenciavet.com VIP Veterinary Services 26111 Bouquet Cyn. Rd. Suite D-5, Saugus, CA 91350 (661) 222-PETS www.VIPVeterinaryServices.com

Animal Aftercare

Best Boarding Facilities Canine Country Club 20341 Blue Cloud Road Santa Clarita, 91390-1259 (661) 296-0566 www.cccofscv.com

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