The True Cost of Owning a Pet (VIDEO)

This Holiday Season, Kiplinger's Amanda Lilly discuss three things to consider when budgeting for a pet.

The True Cost of Owning a Pet (VIDEO)

I'm Not Fat, I'm Fluffy (Obesity in Pets)

Obesity in humans, as well as our companion animals has become an ever increasing topic of concern.  And just like in humans, obesity in pets is associated with joint problems, diabetes mellitus, respiratory compromise, and decreased life span.  Recent studies suggest that up to 40% of dogs and cats in the U.S. suffer from obesity.  How does your pet become overweight, what are the repercussions, and how can you help your pet lose the excess pounds? 

(Note: Dr. Elizabeth Ellis is head veterinarian and owner of Aspen Ridge Animal Hospital - serving the communities of Show Low, Lakeside and Pinetop, AZ.  This article was originally published in the Maverick Magazine in early 2011.)

A cat or dog’s diet is completely dependent on you, the owner.  What your pet eats and how much they eat is largely your decision.  This is the largest factor contributing to obesity.  Just as a child given a choice between candy and vegetables would obviously choose candy, your pet is likely to show a preference for higher fat food and treats - to the detriment of their health.  It is up to you, the caregiver, to provide a healthy, well balanced diet with reasonable portions. 

Let’s begin with type of food.  Your pet should be fed a high quality diet that is appropriate to the breed and stage in life.  For instance, an 8 week old Great Dane puppy should be on Large Breed Puppy food whereas a 13 year old indoor cat should be on a geriatric feline formulation.  When feeding the appropriate food, use the package guidelines as a starting point for how much to feed.  Each animal is individual, so just as a person weighing 150 pounds may be obese and another person weighing that same amount may be rail thin, the same is true of pets.  If your pet is already overweight, you should reduce the amount or switch to a lower-fat food.  It may seem obvious, but a measuring cup as indicated on the feeding guidelines is not the same as a scooping cup, coffee can, or other large mug.  It is actually referring to a 1 cup measuring cup.  If you don’t have one, ask your veterinarian’s office as they will be happy to provide you with one.  Many owners are surprised by how much they are actually feeding their pets when they measure it out correctly.  Most pets should be fed once or twice daily meals instead of being allowed to snack on their food all day long.  If you have multiple pets, this may mean separating them during meal time to ensure each animal eats their designated amount.

Treats also play in to your pet’s daily caloric intake.  Do you give your pet regular treats at certain times of day or in reward for tricks and certain behaviors?  Many of us do, and think of it as showing affection for our pet.  The problem is that pet treats are often very high in calories and four or five treats is the equivalent of an extra meal’s worth of added fat.  Instead of playing in to this trap, reward your pet with extra love, play and petting.  When you do reach for a treat, ensure it is lean such as Hill’s Science Diet T/D, Butler’s Lean Treats or even one of my own personal pet’s favorites which are raw vegetables such as baby carrots. 

Activity level, genetics, metabolic disturbances, and other factors may also affect weight.  A pet that has daily physical activity, such as walking, running, or playing is less likely to become obese.  On the other hand, a pet that is sedentary and only walks in the yard or house is more likely to be overweight.  Some animals have genes that predispose them to obesity, such as golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, dachshunds, beagles, basset hounds, and Labrador retrievers.  Metabolic disturbances, particularly hypothyroidism (or a slow metabolism), can cause pets to pack on extra pounds.  Additionally, after your pet is spayed or neutered, metabolism slows down, and fewer calories are needed.  Some other factors that can contribute to your pet becoming obese include having children at home as they often intentionally or accidently provide “spilled snacks” and having an outdoor cat or dog that is able to roam and find food left out by neighbors.  All of these factors are variables that impact the “guidelines” and should drive the amount of food and treats consumed by your pet.

So, now we know how your pet can easily become overweight.  Let’s explore why this is so harmful.

1. Obese animals have shortened life spans.  A study of Labrador retrievers found that dogs kept on the slender side of normal lived a median of 2.5 years longer than their overweight counterparts.  That’s 20% longer, considering an average dog lives 12 to 13 years.
2. Joint problems are significantly worsened by extra weight.  The additional pounds cause unnecessary stress on bones and joints, worsening degenerative joint disease, increasing the chance for disc disease, and causing further pain.  This pain leads to decreased mobility, which in turn leads to increased weight gain.  While there are great anti-inflammatory painkillers available for dogs with arthritis pain, there are negative side effects of such medications.  Additionally, there is not a single arthritis medication (NSAID) for cats available, so if your cat becomes obese and develops arthritis, they will have to suffer in pain.
3. Obesity predisposes cats and dogs to diabetes mellitus.  In fact, obese cats have been found to have a 50% decrease in insulin sensitivity.  This condition in which your pet is unable to regulate blood sugar most often necessitates extensive and lifelong treatment with insulin.
4. Pets that carry extra weight often have more difficulty breathing, as the weight acts like a tight jacket around the chest, forcing your pet to work harder to simply breathe.  
5. When an overweight cat stops eating because of any illness or stress, the excess fat is mobilized to provide calories, causing a life-threatening liver condition called hepatic lipidosis.

What can you do to help your pet lose the excess weight now that you are aware of how dangerous those pounds are?  First, have you pet evaluated by your veterinarian to determine the ideal weight.  Your vet may also recommend testing for health problems such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus.  Next, evaluate the type and amount of food you are feeding.  Often, it is dangerous to reduce the amount of “regular” food to a point where your pet will lose weight steadily, as he will not be getting enough of the nutrients needed for his or her body to function properly.  This means you may need to feed a prescription weight loss diet.  Foods that are “light” or “less active” diets are usually designed to prevent weight gain, not actually cause weight loss, thus they are usually not appropriate either.  You will need to feed a measured amount and take in to account any treats provided throughout the day.  Ideally, treats should be lean or fresh vegetables such as the aforementioned carrots or green beans and snap peas.  The next step is to increase his physical activity level.  This means regular walks, playing fetch, or chasing a laser light around the house.  Whatever activity you and your pet can commit to on a consistent basis, so long as it lasts for approximately 30 minutes per day and gets your pet moving.  You can also provide interactive toys for your pet when you are away.  A perfect example is a Kong toy stuffed with ¼ cup of Science Diet Tarter Diet (T/D) Treats, which provides intellectual stimulation and physical activity while your pet figures out how to get the food out of the toy.  Just don’t forget to factor these calories into the total daily caloric allowance!

In severe and rare cases in which a pet is dangerously obese and diet and exercise alone aren’t taking the weigh off quickly enough, your veterinarian may prescribe a prescription weight loss medication called Slentrol.  This acts as an appetite suppressant that manipulates the absorption of fat in to the body in such a way as to trick the brain in to feeling full.  It is always combined with diet and exercise in order to reach a healthy weight for your pet.

Finally, you should commit to regular monthly weigh-ins at your veterinarian’s office.  Keep in mind what the ideal weight is so you and your vet can track progress and assure your pet safely reaches their goal.  Ultimately, you will end up with a healthier, happier pet that will be with you longer.

Daytona Update

We wanted to take a moment and give everyone an update on how Daytona is progressing after her surgeries.  All things considered, she is doing wonderfully.  She is moving around great on three legs and playing like any other puppy.  She is also loving all the attention and visitors.  Most importantly, there doesn't seem to be any psychological effects from her trauma.

Most of you already know, but for those of you who don't, Daytona was found after someone saw another person kicking her and called the police.  She had multiple broken bones (both recent and already healing incorrectly). Both back legs were broken - one bad enough that it had to be amputated.  She also had multiple, painful rib fractures.

We can't express how humbled we are by the outpouring of support for this little girl. We are so proud to be from this community and truly appreciate the generosity of everyone.  The staff has been wonderful in volunteering time and energy to care for Daytona 24/7.  Aspen Ridge has received many donations to the Giving Paws Fund from people in the community, which have covered the costs of her surgeries.  And thanks to the White Mountain Independent we have had people call and contribute from as far away as Florida and Alaska.

Again...thank you all for your support, kindness and involvement.

The original article on Daytona (*Daytona is a little girl, not a boy - miscommunication with the paper).

Sleeping with Pets Carries Disease Risk

Sleeping with and kissing your animals on their little pet lips can put you at risk for some serious medical problems -- including the plague,  says a new study.  If you let your animals into your bed, have your vet check your pet's health and be sure to take a look at the link below:

Healthy Pets and Healthy People - MSNBC

15 Hypoallergenic Dogs and Cats

It is allergy time in the White Mountains.  While there is nothing we can do about Spring time here on the mountain and all the pollen floating around, there is no reason allergies should prevent someone from enjoying the love and companionship of an animal.  Take a look at the article from Health.com highlighting all the options.


Click here for 15 Hypoallergenic Dogs and Cats

Free Dental Check Up For Your Pet

At Aspen Ridge we believe in the overall wellness of pets. As part of our comprehensive philosophy, we recognize the importance of dental health and its impact on the complete care of your companion animals. This is why we offer FREE dental health exams performed by Nationally Certified Technicians who have also completed additional, specialized training in dental procedures. Please call us to schedule an appointment to not only get your pet this FREE checkup, but also to learn more about how dental health affects the well-being of your animal and how to properly care for your pet's teeth. This limited time offer is only good for February, so contact us today at 928-537-4000 to setup your appointment.

February is Natl Pet Dental Health Month

This article originally appeared in the Maverick Magazine in February 2010 - By Dr. Elizabeth Ellis

Have you looked at your pet’s teeth lately? Bad breath is the most common reason that owners even glance, but have you opened up her mouth, pulled up the gums and really looked? Often, bad breath is only the tip of the iceberg and a mere symptom of more severe underlying issues. An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).

Gums can become irritated, leading to bleeding and oral pain. Roots may become so severely affected that some teeth become loose and fall out. Bacteria surrounding the roots can gain access to the blood stream ("bacteremia"). Studies have shown that severe periodontal disease in pets can be a significant source of inflammation and infection and is likely to lead to damage in their kidneys, heart muscle and liver.

The key to management of dental disease (for both humans and pets) is prevention. As long as the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned frequently, the gums will stay healthy. You and I brush our teeth at least twice daily and get routine periodontal cleanings every 6 months. In comparison, how often do your pet’s teeth get cleaned? If you aren’t actively performing preventative dental care, your pet may only get his teeth cleaned by the veterinarian every few years, which is the equivalent of you never brushing and simply having your dentist clean your teeth every 20 to 30 years. Yuck!

Steps you can take to ensure good oral care for your pet include:

1) Take your pet to the veterinarian for a thorough dental examination. This exam can identify potential problems, such as plaque and tartar buildup or gingivitis, as well as determine if a dental cleaning or periodontal treatment is indicated. (For the month of February, Aspen Ridge Animal Hospital will be offering FREE dental oral examinations with a dentistry trained and qualified technician).

2) Schedule a dental cleaning with your veterinarian if recommended.

3) Begin a dental care regimen at home. The gold standard is brushing however daily chewing activities and use of plaque control products can also be effective. The Veterinary Oral Health Council has approved certain products such as Science Diet Tartar Diet (T/D) to control dental plaque so look for the VOHC seal when you are buying your pet’s dental products. Remember, not all “teeth cleaning” products work as expected, regardless of claims to the contrary.

4) Schedule regular veterinary checkups. A pet ages the human equivalent of 7 years in a 12 month span so make sure to schedule exams at least once a year and more frequently as your pet enters his golden years.

What is involved in a professional dental cleaning for your cat or dog? It is quite a bit more complicated than a human teeth cleaning. Be sure your pet receives the following as recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association:

• General anesthesia in order to fully evaluate and treat the entire mouth.

• Pre-anesthetic blood work to ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. There are several case studies showing that skipping this step before undergoing general anesthesia can result in the death of your pet.

• Intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain blood pressure and flush the bacteria that are released during the procedure out of the body.

• Vital signs monitoring by qualified veterinary technician.

• Scaling of all tooth surfaces with an ultrasonic scaler and hand scaling of beneath the gum line.

• Inspection of each tooth and entire oral cavity by veterinarian.

• X-Rays to evaluate the half of the tooth that lies beneath the gum line. Often early disease starts on the root of the tooth which isn’t visible to the naked eye. Your pet may have a fracture, abscess, or decay that wouldn’t be detected without these important x-rays.

• Surgical extraction of diseased teeth with local anesthesia, sectioning of multi-rooted teeth with high speed dental drill and closure of remaining space with antiseptic and sutures. This technique prevents any tooth fragments from being left behind which can lead to a variety of complications.

• Low speed polishing of all teeth to “buff” out any micro defects.

• Fluoride treatment.

• Referral to Board Certified Veterinary Dentist if appropriate.

Your pet will wake up with a sparkly clean mouth, healthier body, and the bad breath will be a thing of the past.

Preventing and treating periodontal disease is not only important to the overall health of pets but also may affect their longevity and quality of life. Remember, pets have teeth too and it is our responsibility to care for them.

For more infomration about dental health and wellness check out our dental services page.