Well help has arrived! Neffsville Veterinary Clinic is proud to introduce client education focusing on oral care for your pet.

Regular oral care for your pet offers the same prevention as a visit to your own dentist. Teeth-cleaning removes hardened plaque (bacteria) and tartar that can become detrimental to the health of your furry companion.

Attendance at the Dentistry Seminar is a great opportunity to learn everything you need to know to keep your pet happy and health when it comes to oral care. The information presented will enable you to identify potential problems and guide you to proper home and veterinary care. We will also give you ‘behind the scenes’ information so that you will understand what is done during a dental procedure.

Call Neffsville Veterinary Clinic today at 717-569-5381 to enroll in our next Dentistry Seminar and learn how to keep your pet’s mouth healthy for life. All attendees will receive a $25.00 Discount Coupon for their pet’s next Dentistry Service.

2012 Dentistry Seminar Schedule

All Seminars are from 7pm to 8pm in our Activity Room
February 21
May 8
August 7
November 13

To help your pet look and feel its best, our grooming department is offering 50% off our tooth brushing package, which includes brushing your pet’s teeth, followed by a gentle, breath-freshening foam application that helps to keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy.  We will also send along a new toothbrush for your pet and a how-to guide so you can continue to keep up with your pet’s teeth at home.

Why is this so important for your pet?

Imagine what would happen if you never brushed your teeth.  Dental disease is the most common problem we see in dogs and cats.  Plaque, a sticky film made of bacteria, forms on the teeth and eventually leads to tartar.  Long term buildup of plaque and tarter begins to affect the gums causing a condition known as gingivitis, which is when the gums become inflamed and infected.  As this progresses, the gums begin to recede, exposing the roots of the teeth.  If left untreated, this can even lead  to periodontal disease and systemic infections where bacteria flows through the bloodstream and damages the kidneys, liver, and heart. 

What can I do to help?

There are several simple steps that can be taken to help prevent problems and stop the progression of plaque buildup on the teeth. 

Regular tooth brushing is very effective at cleansing the teeth and gums, and there are many products available that are flavored to make it an enjoyable experience for your pet.  It doesn’t take much time to do and can even be added into your daily routine.  Many of the toothpastes available are enzymatic and don’t need to be rinsed.  That means they will continue to work after you finish brushing the teeth by breaking down plaque and tartar.  Avoid giving your pet food or water for 30 minutes after applying toothpaste to allow it to be as effective as possible.

There are also many types of dental toys and chews available on the market.  Some rubber toys made by companies like Kong can even be used with toothpaste placed on the toy itself.  This way, your pet cleans its teeth as they chew and play, you just have to make sure your pet has a clean area to do this where your furniture and carpets won’t become dirty.  C.E.T. Enzymatic Dental Chews are great as a daily treat for your pet.  They contain beef hide which creates a natural, abrasive cleansing action that helps keep teeth clean and freshens breath, even when daily tooth brushing isn’t possible.

Another great, simple way to help your pet’s teeth is to switch them over to a dental formula such as Hills Healthy Advantage diets or Hill’s Prescription Diet T/D.  The kibbles are specifically designed to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth as your pet bites into them, and you can begin to notice an improvement within a few weeks.  These are both complete diets that are very palatable and contain all the nutrition your pet needs.

Well help has arrived! Neffsville Veterinary Clinic is proud to introduce client education focusing on oral care for your pet.

Regular oral care for your pet offers the same prevention as a visit to your own dentist. Teeth-cleaning removes hardened plaque (bacteria) and tartar that can become detrimental to the health of your furry companion.

Attendance at the Dentistry Seminar is a great opportunity to learn everything you need to know to keep your pet happy and health when it comes to oral care. The information presented will enable you to identify potential problems and guide you to proper home and veterinary care. We will also give you ‘behind the scenes’ information so that you will understand what is done during a dental procedure.

Call Neffsville Veterinary Clinic today at 717-569-5381 to enroll in our next Dentistry Seminar and learn how to keep your pet’s mouth healthy for life. All attendees will receive a $25.00 Discount Coupon for their pet’s next Dentistry Service.

2012 Dentistry Seminar Schedule

All Seminars are from 7pm to 8pm in our Activity Room
February 21
May 8
August 8
November 14

Why is Nail Dremeling so important for my pet?
Your pet needs to be able to rely on its feet for getting around throughout its life. Maintaining your pet’s nails is an essential part of being a responsible pet parent. Most grooming professionals agree that nail Dremeling is a much more comfortable method of grooming your pet’s nails than clipping because it grinds off the outer shell of the nail without the pressure caused by clipping that can pinch or hurt the delicate quick within. Although some dogs may be nervous about the sound or vibrations of the Dremel tool at first, it does not cause any pain or discomfort when done properly, Dremeling allows us to file the nails down gradually around the quick instead of simply cutting in front of it. The result is shorter nails with no more sharp edges and a more pleasant experience for your pet. Dremeling also helps the quick to recede, allowing the nail to be groomed shorter each time when the pet is brought in on a regular basis. That means no more clicking in the house and no more scratching people or floors! Plus, your pet will be able to walk comfortably on its feet. Depending on your pet’s activity level, dremeling is recommended every 4-8 weeks. However, if your pet’s nails are overgrown, you can have them done every 2 weeks in two to four sessions in order to help get them back into shape.

With vacation season right around the corner, why not treat your pet to a vacation too?  Neffsville’s Pet Resort combines the luxury of a lodging facility with the convenience of on on-site veterinary clinic.  Dogs enjoy being outside during our four, complimentary leashed walks throughout the day and our feline friends relax in multi-tiered condos overlooking a spectacular view of our butterfly garden.  All pets are entitled to our dining plan featuring Hills Pet Nutrition Products.  Television, fresh bedding, and clean living quarters make your pet’s stay with us truly comfortable.

However, our pet resort is not just about our spacious accommodations and deluxe services.   Neffsville’s Pet Resort believes in treating your pet as if it were a member of our own family, giving each pet the personalized attention it deserves.  Our furry guests ENJOY staying with us and our staff is committed t providing a loving environment in this home away from home.  We genuinely care about the animals that stay with us and want to provide the best experience possible for your pet. Nine out of ten wagging tails agree!

Join us as we celebrate Dr. George’s 38 years of caring for animals at Neffsville Veterinary Clinic. On Wednesday, December 8, 2010 from noon – 3:00 and 5:00 – 8:00 PM we invite you to spend time with other clients and patients as they reminisce about their wonderful memories of working with Dr. George. In honor of Dr. George we have instituted the George B. Nyland Injured Animal Fund. We would welcome your donation to this fund which will be presented to Dr. Nyland on December 12th. We ask that if you would like to participate in this fund, that we receive your donation no later than December 1, 2010. Donations may be made by sending a check made payable to the “Neffsville Veterinary Clinic” with a notation on the memo line of “George B. Nyland Injured Animal Fund”

This will be an excellent opportunity to share stories, enjoy some refreshments and wish Dr. George the best as he plans his next adventure in life.

The Holidays are approaching quickly. Many of our clients have their pets stay with us in the Pet Resort, while others travel to visit family members with their pets. No matter what your plans include, we have put together a list of items to consider before you leave the house.

1-Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are current.
2-If you are travelling with your pet, be sure to pack a copy of your pet’s vaccination record.
3-Do your plans change the pet’s risk for disease of parasites? If so, we recommend making an appointment with one of the veterinarians to discuss how best to protect your pet while travelling.
4-Does your pet have a microchip? If not, please make an appointment to have your pet chipped.
5-Does boarding or travelling increase your pet ‘s stress level. If so, please make an appointment with one of the veterinarians, as they can prescribe medications to alleviate that stress.

We look forward to helping you with your travel plans and be sure to share your photos with us so we can post them on our BLOG and FaceBook page.

Dr. Kathy Nyland with Isis

Margaret Jefferson came to us in March because her cat, Isis was not “herself.” She would go upstairs and hide under the bed and in the closet. She had severe constipation and when she did have a bowel movement, the stool was very small and hard. “Isis had been so healthy. At 17 the only reason I had to bring her to the vet was for shots and nail trims,” commented Mrs. Jefferson. Isis continued to deteriorate and she then began dragging her back end. An x-ray later revealed spondylosis.

Spondylosis is a condition by which there is an arthritic bridging of the vertebrae. This is what caused Isis to have difficulty squatting to go to the bathroom and jumping on her owner’s lap.

Because of the diagnosis, Dr. Kathy recommended Adequan injections. Adequan is normally used to treat canine arthritis, which in many cases can be a painful and debilitating disease, however it can be managed. Adequan helps prevent the cartilage in your pet’s joints from wearing away. The goal of the doctor is to slow down the progression of arthritis formation in the pet’s joint, keeping the cartilage healthy and intact, so that the bone in the joint cannot touch other bones.

The injection is administered two times a week for four weeks and then is given once a month as a maintenance. It begins working in the joint in about two hours and stays in the joint for about three days. “I was nervous about giving the injections, but the nurses showed me how to do it and after two trials, I was comfortable with the procedure,” added Mrs. Jefferson.

“Within a week and a half Isis had returned to her normal self. She was eating well, requesting treats and sitting on my lap. To me Adequan is a Miracle Drug. I thought my cat was dying. It was so sad to watch her suffer and experience such a drastic change in her health such a short period of time,” said Mrs. Jefferson.

Gingivitis or inflammation of the gums, can develop when there are high levels of bacteria in the mouth. If left untreated, it can progress to Periodontal Disease with tarter and plaque buildup. When Periodontal Disease is allowed to progress, you will notice the gums pulling away from the teeth and then pockets form that can become infected, bacteria can spread from the infected mouth area throughout the bloodstream. The kidneys, liver and heart become damaged from the infection.

A few symptoms that you may notice when dental disease is present include: bad breath, bleeding gums, yellow or brown tarter buildup and loss of appetite.

There are four steps you should follow to help prevent dental disease:

1-Take your pet to the veterinarian for a professional cleaning and scaling.

2-Implement a regular dental routine at home. There are a number of brushing tools available, from poultry flavored toothpaste to toothbrushes that fit right on your fingertip.

3-Schedule yearly exams for your pet. These exams should include an oral exam.

4-Discuss with your veterinarian the best chew toys for your pet. They may also recommend a dental diet that may help in the prevention periodontitis.

“Ask the Veterinarian” with Dr. James Doman

Dear Dr. Doman,
I heard that the majority of dogs have dental disease by the time they’re three-years-old. Is it really that common?

It is estimated that 85% of dogs aged three and older have some degree of periodontal disease, the most common dental disease in dogs. 1 And like in humans, periodontal disease is a progressive infection that can lead to painful conditions for dogs that may require difficult and costly treatments down the road.

Whenever possible, preventing disease is preferable to treating it and in the case of periodontitis, this is especially true. Regular effective home care with daily brushing and early professional cleaning by our dental nurses are among the best preventive measures.

Dear Dr. Doman,
My veterinarian recommended that I try brushing my dog’s teeth at home every day. Is this really necessary?

Many pet owners don’t realize that bacteria live in a dog’s mouth and are present in the build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. If left untreated, these bacteria can cause gingivitis, the inflammation of the gums around the dog’s teeth.

The good news is that gingivitis is rapidly reversible with good dental hygiene and like your veterinarian advised, tooth brushing is the recommended standard.

However, even more problematic than gingivitis is periodontitis, a more serious and irreversible condition that, if untreated, can result in the destruction of gum and bone and other tissues around the dog’s teeth. In those cases, regular professional cleanings and treatment are an important way to help prevent further disease.

Dear Dr. Doman,
Is canine and feline periodontitis really that big of a deal? I mean, I always figured a dog or a cat can live a fine life missing a few teeth here and there.

In one word, yes, periodontitis is a big deal, and it can affect more than the pet’s teeth. In fact, the presence of canine periodontitis has been associated with systemic effects in pets and may cause problems in vital organs (heart, liver and kidneys).

At its worst, periodontitis can ultimately lead to loss of teeth, fracture of the jawbones, and other serious consequences. A pet’s mouth can be compared to a human’s hand, and its daily function is just as critical. When the mouth isn’t working properly — or hurts — the pet suffers.

Maintaining healthy teeth is critical to keeping dogs and cats healthy and happy.

Pet Foods And Treats With Oral Care Benefits

Our veterinarians recommend Prescription Diet t/d (Canine and Feline) and Science Diet Oral Care Adult (Canine and Feline). Both foods are:

• Proven to reduce the buildup of plaque, tarter and stain
• Proven to reduce bad breath
• Effective adjunct to professional therapy for the management of periodontal disease
• Complete and balanced nutrition for adult and senior dogs and cats

Our veterinarians recommend C.E.T. HEXtra Chews for dogs. They are available in three different sizes: petite, medium and large. One chew a day with its patented, exclusive Chlorhexidine System help remove plaque and reduce tarter. The abrasive cleansing action of the C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews help keep breath fresh and teeth clean.