Obesity, dental disease top health issues for pets

Good health is a top concern for many. And with about 45 percent of all households in the United States having a dog and about 35 percent owning a cat, according to the American Pet Products Association's 2013-14 National Pet Owners Survey, pet health issues also are a priority. We talked with Janet Riebe, a veterinarian for Woodhaven Animal Health in Plover, about the top health concerns for pets and how we can prevent or treat them.

Question: What are the most common health concerns for pets?

Answer: The most common problems that we see as veterinarians are obesity and dental disease. Obesity is a concern, as it can predispose some animals to diabetes mellitus, as well as causing stress on the back and joints. Obese animals may have difficulty breathing, high blood pressure and reduced stamina for activity. Most importantly, it is typically associated with a shorter lifespan. Typically, a combination of calorie control and daily exercise will prevent obesity.

Dental disease is associated with infection in the mouth, which can cause loose teeth, discomfort when chewing and inflammation of the gums. The oral infection also can spread from the mouth to the airways, and the heart, liver and kidneys. There does seem to be a genetic predisposition for some pets to have poor oral health. Brushing the teeth, certain chew bones and routine dental care at a qualified veterinarian will help control dental disease.

Question: Why is it important to bring a pet in for an annual checkup even if there are no health concerns?

Answer: It is always possible that we will discover a problem that the pet owner was not aware of prior to the exam. Dogs and cats seem to be programmed to be unresponsive to issues that may plague them, such as loose teeth, swollen gums, infected ears, heart arrhythmias, sore joints, back problems, or various growths inside or on the body. As veterinarians, we always prefer to find a problem in the early stages, as early intervention often improves the outcome for the pet.

Question: What vaccines are necessary for my pets?

Answer: The purpose of a vaccination is to provide immunity against a particular disease, which could be viral or bacterial. In other words, if the pet encounters the problematic infectious disease, the vaccine will allow the immune system to fight the disease more effectively. Vaccination programs have helped to reduce the frequency of certain infectious diseases in the general population, especially for dogs. It is important to note that there are many infectious diseases for which vaccines have not been developed.

We base our recommendations for vaccinations on the lifestyle of the particular pet, the geographic location and the travel history. A pet that is allowed to roam outside will have different risks than a pet that is confined to the house. The most common vaccine for dogs is the parvovirus-distemper-adenovirus-parainfluenza combination, but in our area Lyme disease and Leptospirosis pose significant threats. Cats that go outside or live with other cats may be at risk for feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency, and panleukopenia viruses. Cats also are susceptible to the respiratory viruses, so the rhinotracheitis and calici vaccinations are important. Rabies is required by law for all dogs, and may be required for cats depending on local regulations.

Question: How important is nutrition to my pet's health, and how do I make sure I'm using the correct food?

Answer: Nutrition is really the foundation for good health. We know that deficiencies of certain nutrients can cause disease, such as a taurine deficiency in cats causing heart and vision problems. Foods can sometimes cause skin problems, vomiting or diarrhea, especially if the food contains grains and fillers. In some cases, specific foods can be used to help manage a variety of medical conditions, such as digestive problems, diabetes, urinary problems, kidney disease, etc.

There are countless brands of foods on the market today. Advertising does often drive the choices that pet owners make for food, but the popular foods are not always the best quality. Some companies use grains to meet the protein requirements for a dog or cat, when eggs and meats are the ideal protein sources. Foods can be made more palatable by adding sugars, but this is an unhealthy and unnecessary ingredient for our pets. It can be a challenge to read food labels, so I recommend that people choose a grain-free food because they generally contain better quality ingredients.

Question: What do I do if my pet has a health emergency and my veterinarian is not available?

Answer: In our area, we have two choices for veterinary care after regular business hours. The closest location is the Central Wisconsin Animal Referral Center in Mosinee, and the larger facility is the Fox Valley Animal Referral Center in Appleton. Both clinics offer state-of-the-art medical and surgical care. If needed, pet owners may contact the Mosinee clinic at 715-693-6934 or the Appleton clinic at 920-993-9193.