Brentwood Country Animal Hospital

It has become ever more difficult for many people to care for their pets properly in the current economy. For patients with serious health problems, veterinary bills can be astronomical. Nevertheless, there are some strategies that may make veterinary healthcare costs more manageable.

While we believe every month should be dedicated to your pet's dental care, we have an extra incentive in February — 15% off cleanings!

Dental cleanings are a procedure done under general anesthesia. It is essential to start with pre-anesthetic bloodwork. If your pet is seven years of age or older, or has had past health concerns, we recommend a full blood screen, including a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and thyroid level prior to the day of the procedure. If your pet is young and healthy, we can do in-house lab work the same day. The anesthetics we use (including sedatives, pain medications, intravenous anesthetic agents, and inhalants) are metabolized by the liver or kidneys so it's important to check these values to ensure your pet's safety.

Canine influenza is a newly emerging infectious disease caused by a “flu” virus. While 30 states have currently reported cases (including New Hampshire), it originated in Florida where it is now considered endemic (well established) in the state.

Humans cannot contract influenza from their pets. This is not H1N1.

With the craziness of the holiday season comes a variety of ways you could find yourself spending an evening sitting in an emergency veterinary hospital with your pet. To help prevent any yuletide casualties, here is a compilation of some of the most common mishaps of the holidays.

We have recently begun accepting CareCredit as an alternative form of payment. CareCredit transactions are eligible for a no-interest payment plan with a six month repayment schedule and a $250 minimum. For more information or to apply, please visit CareCredit's Web site or give us a call to discuss options.

With the warmer weather comes the resurgence of the tick and the flea. While bothersome and annoying, they are more than just a nuisance; these insects can transmit disease to our pets.  And while no form of prevention is foolproof, there are a few steps we can take to keep our pets as flea and tick free as possible year round.
 

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is defined as enlargement of the stomach with subsequent clock-wise rotation along its axis causing entrapment of food and air. The exact cause is unknown but is usually related to rapid consumption of large volumes of food or water sometimes followed with exercise. GDV is characterized by retching, abdominal discomfort, and excessive salivation and requires immediate medical attention to stabilize the patient and decompress the stomach. GDV is potentially life-threatening with a mortality rate ranging between 10-25% and essentially fatal if left untreated.
 
While GDV can occur in any breed, there is an increased incidence in large to giant deep-chested dogs. It is estimated that the risk of disease in these breeds is about 6%; however certain breeds including the Great Dane have a lifetime incidence of over 40%.
 

by Dr. Jody Kaufman

Time seems to pass so quickly that it can take us by surprise when our pets show signs of aging. Under even the best circumstances, animals age at an accelerated rate compared to humans. The "seven years for one of ours" rule is a reasonable simplified estimate, but the rate of aging in dogs is based roughly on their size. A seven year-old Great Dane is geriatric, while a little poodle of the same age is only middle aged.

As your pet becomes older, it is important that we take extra care and precautions to keep them as healthy and happy as possible. As part of our emphasis on wellness and prevention, we recommend annual blood work to establish a baseline, and to catch any underlying abnormalities while still in the early stages. This program is recommended for any dog or cat over seven years of age.

Our hospital has introduced a new vaccine that aids in the prevention of dental disease. If you think your dog may be a candidate for this vaccination or you have any questions not answered below, please give us a call during regular office hours.

Canine Porphyromonas (i.e. Periodontal) Vaccine

Periodontal disease ("periodontitis") is inflammation and infection of the gums and bone around your pet's teeth, eventually resulting in the loss of these teeth. It is the most common disease among dogs, affecting more than 8 out of 10 over 3 years of age! It is caused by bacteria that can live in the absence of oxygen (i.e., anaerobic) under plaque and tartar, and deep in diseased gum tissue and bone. Periodontitis is painful and we need to recognize that for our pets. Just because our pets will quietly tolerate pain doesn't mean they should have to.