Fainting on a holiday job as a chair side assistant whilst removing a full set of human teeth definitely has something to do my aversion to bad breath. As a vet I wonder if humans can’t keep their own mouth healthy then what hope do we have for our furry friends.

Over the years I have identified common obstacles barring the way to decent pet oral health.
Owners don’t think animals feel tooth pain. They have the same neurological system as us so why wouldn’t they? Cavities, abscesses, broken teeth and gum disease hurt like hell – they often just hide pain better.

Dietary options for pets are getting more and more confusing. Many are not designed to help clean teeth and some of our pets are more at risk than others. Cats especially respond well to diets to help clean teeth, while the shape of different dog breeds mouths can make it more difficult for teeth to be kept clean. Over-bites and under-bites mean no natural wolf-like scissor mastication when eating. It also seems the chewing chip has been removed from many breeds who bury their dental treats rather than bite on them.

Teeth brushing is hard. Agreed when it comes to cats. However, 90% of owners can clean their dog’s teeth by following a program which relies on a positive experience focus. This quickly becomes a routine, relaxed, ritual rather than a chore for both pet and owner.

There’s fear of the anaesthesic and the bill which follows. Routine dental work for pets does require a general anaesthetic so will indeed cost more than a quick trip to your dentist. We assess, monitor and treat every individual with careful consideration. In the long run a scale and polish, with a preventative care follow up, will cost a whole lot less than removing teeth in your aging or sick pet and entail a whole lot less risk.

For the months of June and July call us on 377 6667 to “Flip the Lip”-a complimentary full assessment of your pet’s oral health (with a $50 voucher towards any dental care necessary).
Check out our Mouth Health page for details or join us on The Strand Vet facebook page for fun dental facts and a chance to win a new smile for your pet.

The recent new arrival of Boxer grand puppy, Mako, sliding sideways through the front door has done nothing to improve Ron’s moods and it is not until he becomes critically ill, often with pus pouring out of a wound somewhere, that I have an inkling his state of physical well-being off kilter.

As a vet I’ve always wondered if cat owners were less diligent than dog owners when it came to care of their pet but with the feline propensity to limbic explosions using teeth and claws along with loud nerve-rattling protests even the bravest cat owner needs to weigh up the seriousness of illness to justify the level of distress that may come with a trip to the vet.

‘They think they’re the cat’s pyjamas’, a 1920’s lingo describing someone who presumes themselves to be stylish or special, describes all our felines because they know they are just that.  I am sure cat owners would agree, most cats would also rather stay at home in bed when feeling poorly as after all 75% of illnesses will improve of their own accord with a little TLC.

Beware. Cats are subtle patients though and small signs often mean big things and late arrival for care often means they present to us in dire straits. As elderly pets it is not until they are very ill, very sore, very skinny or very quiet that owners brave getting them in a cage and bringing them in which is often too little, too late.

As we shift to cooler weather check out our Grey Paws for our guide to keeping your aging cat healthy. Don’t let the trip to the vet put you off looking after your feline friend-and remember-house calls can be arranged if they just don’t want to get out of bed!

Here’s to a healthy 2013

For many of us it was a struggle to get through to the end of the year.

 The psychological stressors which plague higher functioning apes-financial, work, family stressors and emotional upheaval-had sucked the life blood out of me as I crawled my way towards the finish line.

 Depleting my swollen adrenal glands of all remaining cortisol I pepped myself up with a good measure of ‘bad stuff’. Finally sitting down on the eve of the 26^th I relished the first chapter of a good book. Complete bliss.

 And then it started all over again.

In the meantime my equally hard working self-employed cat-fancying friend cast herself a LifeRing. She shouted herself a luxurious Detox week at Gwinganna, a pricey Australian lifestyle retreat.

Scoffing at the expense and absurdity of spending precious time off eating leafy greens, drinking water and getting up at 5 o’clock in the morning I was eager to hear her thoughts on the experience. Returning radiant with renewed work and creative vigour she had the desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle into 2013.

On reflection of the past year an ambition to nourish oneself and tame those stress hormones might be the most precious therapy I could prescribe for improving your own pet’s health. I’d been having a niggling feeling that the channeling of energy between pet and owner goes both ways.

We all know the health benefits of pets for human health but could we be detrimental to theirs?

Studies show the release of oxytocin, a calmative love hormone, improves with the close contact shared between pets and owners with multiple health benefits. With animals being natures furry energy sinks, can our stress hormones (cortisol and adrenalin) in return deplete their immune systems leading to adverse health?

Last year sleepless nights coupled with constant anxiety eventually peaked when Sydney, my dear old Labra-Bear, was diagnosed with a mast cell tumour.  I bravely booked her in for removal.

While checking for metastases Veterinary Radiologist Chris allayed my greatest fears-her organs were clear-she was not going to die. Her only abnormality was a doubling in adrenal gland size. Could this be a mirror image of my own current state of adrenal health?

A change in lifestyle is in order for our mutual optimum wellness.  For my pets and owners I would recommend ritual, routine, rest, movement, good nutrition and mediation-all the things our pets love to do with us-for a healthy 2013.

In 1224 the patron saint of animals, Saint Francis of Assisi, staged the first ‘living’ recreation of the birth of Jesus and invited his animals to join in.

On Christmas Eve, families travelled far and wide to witness the spectacle of the birth of Jesus. Saint Francis urged the people to rejoice in the season of Christ’s birth and put hatred from their hearts. Soon, other towns featured their own version of the play and every family had a nativity scene in their homes to help them celebrate the miracle of Christmas.

This humble man, who had turned his back on his family’s wealth for a life of poverty, treated all of God’s creations as part of his brotherhood. He had equal respect for sparrow or pope and preached forgiveness, compassion and understanding towards all living things.

One of the few prayers I can still recite from childhood was one written by this animal loving man. He reminds us ‘For it is in giving that we receive’ and Christmas should not be about a panicked buying frenzy (though we definitely have some pretty hot stuff for pets this Christmas), but the joy of giving of gifts and quality time to our friends, family and fur family members. Christmas is a time to celebrate and appreciate the riches we do have in our lives and for me one of them is spending a few precious days with my four-legged friends.

Turning into the driveway Benji dived under the seat. Dragged out full breaks on-instantaneous bladder and bowel motions followed-we then carried our quivering limp mess towards the front door. We sat in the uncomfortable plastic chairs in the waiting room while he hid under our feet. Finally called, he became completely catatonic when placed on the shiny, slippery cold steel table. He unceremoniously got “jabbed” by a rather grumpy vet with not even a “good boy” on the way out. This was a place he most certainly did not want to be.

Was it the peculiar smell which hit us walking in the door?  The lonely, strangled whining noises drifting up from somewhere out back, or the nonchalant staff ignoring us from behind the desk? I could hardly blame him, the resounding feeling of fear and desperation rising from the waiting companion animal clientèle was palpable even to me.
In our profession we don’t do it for the money but for the love of animals -but how do I get your pets to walk willingly through our door?  This became my personal crusade.

Now a practice owner I chose to design a style of veterinary clinic which is a far cry from the uninviting hospital models of the past.  Yummy treats, attention to aroma and pets encouraged to roam around to investigate our comfortable and warm space.  Textured tables and extended appointment times so as not to rush a good thing-talking about the care of your pet.
Our theme song ….”Somewhere you wanna be, where everybody knows your name…somewhere where your troubles are shared and we are always glad you came”. I loved the 80’s but not as much as I love looking after your pets.

I have long suffered from derogatory comments regarding having a round shaped dog. Now old and round, inconceivable suggestions from non doggie (but admittedly well meaning) friends and family members have become increasingly upsetting.

One of my friend’s mums recently asked me if I got a new puppy because the old one was getting passed her used by date. Would she ask this about my human child?

I swallowed my growly retort but couldn’t help feeling hurt that she was so far away from understanding my relationship with Sydney, my companion for over 11 years now, and what her inevitable loss will mean to me.

My reality, like many of my clients, is that a pet’s life span is short-way too short- and preparing for such loss is a daunting task. Writing this article, for me, is a start.

Let me explain to those of you who don’t understand. The relationship between pet and owner is deeply personal. Interestingly; much more so than with other close family members or friends. It shouldn’t be so surprising then that the grief which follows the death of a pet hits owners incredibly hard yet often -due to the popular belief ‘it was only a pet and you can get another one’ – it remains tightly locked away.

We know grief properly expressed is grief we can live with; grief that is suppressed is grief that will rise up and haunt us, surprise us and shape our lives in ways we cannot control. That said it is of the utmost importance to grieve for our four legged friends properly and this takes help, support and understanding from our nearest and dearest in order to help us, the one left behind, move on with life.

I am profoundly moved by every death I am a part of-I remain nonjudgmental, compassionate and connected to the experience unfolding however, like with the death of a child, it is vital for the bereaved  to grieve to then go on to heal.

Pets don’t worry about dying but that doesn’t mean their dying shouldn’t happen without dignity and grace. In many cultures ceremonies around death are a cathartic way of openly acknowledging a relationship. From 7 to 100 days (and in some cultures more) of mourning ensue a death where family and friends surround the survivor in order to help them during this very difficult time. Why should this be so different with our pets?

 ‘The Art Of Dying’ at www.thestrandvet.co.nz recognizes the importance of our relationship with our pets and has information on services which may help. We would love to hear your comments and thoughts on what helped you through this difficult time.

Limerence, the blush of new love, can dampen the senses and mask body odours. When its run its course, the pungency inevitably returns assaulting the nasal receptors as lust soulfully slinks away.

Did they always have such a repellent stench? Once again we’re left with ‘I guess this may not be the love of my life after all’.

Smell memory is integrally linked to the things we love. My feline fancying girlfriend’s favourite smell is kissing her cat’s paws goodbye before trips away. The interdigital pheromones create a smell memory she comfortingly conjures up until they meet again.

Mine is my lovely Labradors musty black fur, a smell others describe as ‘old dog’ with wrinkled up noses. Sniffing in her doggie aroma is always calming after a hard day’s work, but her morning greeting yawn is enough to send me reeling. It’s time for some attention to mouth health.

Halistosis, or bad breath, is a whole new level of awful when it comes to the aromas to avoid list. The mouth starts out the day with a host of normal bacteria-some good, some bad. The bad guys are the ones that like to live up under the gum line covertly hiding away from light and oxygen ready to create a bit of havoc for an unsuspecting host.

Left unchecked they mix with food, saliva and dead cells we shed in our mouth coalescing to form a slimy plaque that sticks to teeth like glue.  These baddies multiply every half hour giving off foul toxins causing gum disease, acids causing tooth decay and a sulphate vapour which is the smell associated with odious bad breath.

Without regular attention plaque becomes tartar, gingivitis (swollen sore gums) turns into periodontal disease and the bugs continue to not only make a repulsive stench but destroy tooth support and structure causing unstable and painful teeth. In the end a bad mouth means bad health and the kidneys, liver and heart all suffer for it.

Though your pets may be trying to tell you something with their morning breath, pets are generally very quiet about having dental disease. Many pet owners only notice a difference in their pet’s attitude and vitality once their mouth problems are sorted out.

For a FREE check of your pets “MOUTH HEALTH” phone 09 377 6667 now for a complimentary “MOUTH HEALTH” appointment and receive a further $50 off scheduled dental procedures before 30^th August 2012.

At odds with current scientific consensus, he tells me he now needs a downstairs cat door as relations with our new puppy are faring no better. He remains cold and disdainfully aloof, unwilling to grace us with his presence in the warmth of upstairs.

Though the alarm sensors need changing to pet friendly ($$$) and a cat door is logistically difficult his ‘thought insertion’ has prompted me to action. The days are getting shorter, the neighbourhood is getting tougher and he is not getting any younger.

I have noticed a few more white hairs (he is a grey cat and can’t get any greyer) and he seems to be sleeping, eating and drinking more. It maybe my feminine intuition kicking in, rather than an unexplained mental phenomena, but telepathic or not he really could also do with his annual trip to the vet.

Telepathy or “thought insertion and removal” is yet to be understood. Linked to psychological concepts symptomatic of psychosis and schizophrenia it makes sense the common feline would be experts in this practice. One minute a cuddly bundle of snuggly sweet smelling fur, the next you’re detaching ten claws and a set of canines from a bleeding lower appendage.

Finding him, stuffing him in a cage then the distress of the trip makes me wonder whether the trauma (probably more to me than him) is worth it. Is this the reason we look after old dogs better than cats or is it more to do with cats having more subtle and secretive clinical symptoms?

There is a lot we have yet to learn about cats and the mystical aura which surrounds them but for the elderly cat’s sake use some ‘thought blockage’ techniques and get them booked in this month for their Grey Paws check.

With treatments as simple as a change in diet proven to expand the quality and length of your cat’s life a wellness examination prior to disaster befalling them is well worth the effort. Just try not to think about the cat cage.

Check out our Grey Paws service and get a 20% off senior discount (for your pet that is) until the end of June.

Grey hairs aside (and there is an extra couple of dozen every week) she’s taken the leap from battling middle age spread to a senior citizen and I honestly can’t tell you when this change occurred.

We too are seeing the graying of a population. Elderly pets are now accounting for a large part of our veterinary frequent flyers club. With your own pet check on the following list:

• Are they eating more or less?
• Have they lost weight or gained weight recently?
• Are they drinking any more than usual?
• Do they need to go to the toilet more frequently?
• How are their energy levels-used to be a 10/10 and now only a 5/10?
• Are there any changes in behaviour especially around sleeping habits?

Any changes give us subtle clues that it is time to take a closer look. Veterinary medicine used to be about the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff but these days with our ‘Grey Paws’ examination early detection of treatable or at least manageable disease is on offer to all pets.

So, though our park walks are getting shorter and cutting across the field the new norm we still have the water. Watching her swim reminds me of the lovely scene from the movie ‘Cocoon’ where the seniors are floating and laughing in the weight-less carefree existence buoyancy affords. Seeing her revert back to the exuberant youth of a young Labrador is a precious moment for me, her doting owner, to enjoy and etch into my memory.

Thoughts on fertility, the origins of our Easter celebration, lead to fecundity and fecundity to the wonderment of the reproductive cycle. This cycle revolves around the female of every species-those commonly described as ‘Mother’.

Mothers have been a source of inspiration and admiration since the infamous Madonna and child portraits were painted by the Renaissance artists. The fascination continues today with the paparazzi entertaining us with surreptitious photos of besotted celebrities and their kin.

Will Brangelina ever stop breeding? Has poor old Jen left her run too late? Is being a mother so important it would be a crime to pass up on the gift of reproduction? Can being a fur parent take motherhoods place?

I’m always perturbed when I hear ‘I have never felt love like when holding my baby for the first time’. With no biological babies of my own I wonder is this oxytocin-induced love affair brought on by the first milk or will over half the world’s population truly miss out on the natural phenomena of mother-baby love?

For a mother a baby is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, possibilities and dreams. The strength of the maternal bond is essential for survival of all species, and let’s face it some of us need to breed or we would never be able to enjoy playing with cute little puppies and kittens.

I know many homosapien mothers also have a very special place in their hearts for their pets. By raising our pets we can call ourselves proud mothers as a mother is said to be someone who can take the place of everyone else, but no one in the world can take her place. This is how my dog, Sydney, feels about me-I am her special person (and I shamelessly call her my furbaby) and she my special dog friend.

So for all the mothers of our pets to honour the less traditionally touted bond between ‘Mother and Furbaby’ our team at The Strand Veterinarian are giving away the ultimate Mother’s Day makeover for you and your precious pet.

Go to www.facebook.com/TheStrandVet for further details on how to enter. Entries close May 8^th 2012.