Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic

Good teeth and gums are very important to the health of your pet. the average animal lives 2-3 years longer with healthy teeth than those with gingivitis and tartar. Bad teeth and gingivitis can lead to heart disease, kidney and liver failure, and many other diseases.

1. We recommend you try brushing your pet’s teeth 2 times weekly. Brushing is the cheapest and most effective option for maintaining their teeth. You can buy toothpaste and toothbrushes at Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic or at the local pet store. Some pets tolerate a finger brush very well. Do not use a human tooth paste as these cannot be swallowed. Dentacetic wipes may be used as an alternative to brushing. This is a wipe that already has impregnated “toothpaste”. If you are unable to brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis, ask about our brushless dental cleaning plan option for maintaining your pet’s teeth.

2. You can also use dental chews, and we recommend CET HEXTRA chews. A recent study in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry noted a 46% reduction in gingivitis in dogs who were given rawhide chews. CET chews have enzymes that help eat the tartar off the teeth. The chews also have an antibacterial agent (Chlorhexidine gluconate) that acts like a mouth wash. These additions help to scrape tartar and plaque off the teeth and reduce bacteria in the mouth. If you purchase other chews from a local pet store, please keep in mind that they must be “enzymatic” to be really effective.
*Most chews are safe and very beneficial to the teeth, however, if your pet swallows them whole they must be discontinued as they can cause a blockage and may require surgery. Other rawhides/chews tend to cause more problems with diarrhea or vomiting as they are cured with formaldehyde. The CET Chews are cured with a “bake and press” method which make them safer to give to your pet, and easier to digest when swallowed.

3. We recommend starting your pet on Plaque Off. This product bonds to tartar, breaks tartar off the teeth, and helps prevent new tartar from forming. Simply add this powder to their food daily. This product works well for dogs and cats that do not like to chew or are too sick for a sedated dental cleaning.

4. Greenies can be beneficial to the teeth. Make sure your pet does not swallow them whole as they can cause a blockage which may require surgery. Cat’s take the feline greenies very well.

5. Dental cleanings are recommended for all pets with tartar and gingivitis, or for those pets who may require tooth extractions. At The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic we have great discounts on our Brushless Option for Pet Dental Health. The brushless dental option includes dental cleanings every 6 months to keep the teeth in the best health. These dental cleaning are significantly discounted to make this procedure affordable and keep your pet in the best health. Most dogs and cats will require their first cleaning between 2-5 years of age. The dental cleaning cost 270 for the first dental, and 197 for the next dental 6 months later. We have dental plans that help you save more money on their cleanings. This dental includes bloodwork, fluids, anesthesia, dental x-rays, exam, and the cleaning. Call for more details at 480-945-8484

Middle Ear Infections in Pet Rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Dr. William ( Bill ) J Langhofer
DVM Purdue University 1998
The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic
7311 E Thomas Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
TSVCpets.com 480-945-8484

Middle ear infections are very common in pet rats and can be a difficult condition to resolve. We will typically diagnose a new middle ear infection in pet rats in our hospital 2-3 times per week. Dog/cat veterinarians are familiar with treating external ear infections; however, middle ear infections require longer therapy and different medications to resolve. Usually these infections arise from a previous upper respiratory infection (sinus infection) or pneumonia. These infections are similar to the ear infections that human children face and require many of the same treatments to resolve. These infections are not only painful, but are also potentially deadly, if the infection starts to affect the brain. This condition is many times misdiagnosed as a pituitary tumor. The symptoms that your pet has a middle ear infection may include: difficulty with hearing, red discharge from the eyes, sneezing, difficulty breathing, scratching the ears, head tilt, abnormal smell from the ears, seizures, lethargy, and depression.
The middle ear of a rat is large due to their nocturnal nature. This large middle ear is a great place for bacteria to reside and start an ear infection. It is suspected that these infections arise from the eustachian tube secondarily to a sinus infection. The eustachian tube becomes blocked from the pus/infection, causing increased pressure in the middle ear, which will cause the symptoms of neurological disease and a head tilt. The head tilt may then become a permanent symptom or may resolve once the ear drum (tympanic membrane) ruptures. It is difficult to resolve these infections since the blood supply to the middle ear is very small, preventing the necessary concentration of antibiotics to resolve the infection.
These infections are fairly easy to diagnose with an otoscopic evaluation. Occasionally a rat will require anesthesia to evaluate the ears if they will not hold still for the examination. If wax is in the ear, anesthesia may be required to remove the wax to evaluate the ear drum (tympanic membrane). Radiographs (x-rays) may also be helpful in the evaluation of the tympanic bulla.

Treatment options:

1. Oral Antibiotics- We generally recommend a combination of clavamox/baytril or doxycycline/zithromax; however we have also used combinations of penicillin, clindamyacin, metronidazole, and other antibiotics depending on response to therapy, cytological evaluation of the pus from the ears, and bacterial culture. Oral antibiotics are many times not as effective as topical medications if the ear infection is the only condition that we are treating. If pneumonia or a sinus infection is present oral antibiotics are necessary.
2. Topical antibiotics- These are placed directly into the ear to treat the ear infection. This is more effective if the ear drum (tympanic membrane) is ruptured. We typically use ciprofloxacin or neo-poly dex ophthalmic drops.
3. Topical wax remover- Debrox is effective at aiding in the removal of wax from the ears allowing the antibiotics to penetrate to the middle ear more effectively. This may be purchased over the counter and is also helpful in removing wax from the ears of rats that are paralyzed or arthritic and can no longer scratch the wax from their own ears.
4. Ear flush- this helps remove pus from the middle ear and opens the eustacian tube, but can be dangerous since rats are obligate nose breathing animals and this technique is usually performed with anesthesia.
5. Rupture of the ear drum- this is recommended to release pressure in the middle ear, and to allow topical medications to reach the middle ear. This procedure does have some risks and must be performed with anesthesia. This procedure can be very effective at resolving head tilts secondary to the middle ear infections. This could potentially cause death if the skull was fractured, but I have never seen this side effect.
6. Ear tubes- these are placed into the middle ear to continue to allow the pus to drain from the ears, and prevent the ear drum from healing. This allows topical meds to be administered for a longer period of time. The problem with these tubes is that very few veterinarians have used them and they clog with debris easily. They may need maintenance.
7. Anti-inflammatory medications- Metacam is both a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory and is commonly used for ear infections. Prednisone is a strong anti-inflammatory medication and helps reduce inflammation in the ear.
8. Euthanasia- Ear infections are reported to be very painful in humans. If the rat is not responding to therapy, is neurological, or will not tolerate medications, a humane euthanasia may be recommended for this condition.

The treatment of choice depends on the rat, their human, and their medical conditions. We typically use a combination of oral antibiotics/anti-inflammatory medication, and topical medications. If the infection is not responding to the oral meds we typically will place the ear tube, suction pus from the middle ear, and start more aggressive topical therapy. The ear drum is almost always ruptured by the doctor with anesthesia if the rat is neurological (head tilt), especially if the ear drum is bulging from the pressure of the pus in the middle ear. The ear tubes appear to be very useful and helpful as long the owner continues topical medications and the tubes are rechecked to make sure they are not clogged. Due to their obligate nasal breathing nature, the difficulty in treating middle ear infections, and the immunosuppressive nature of rat viral/bacterial infections makes middle ear infections difficult to resolve and may require life long antibiotics/therapy to control these infections.

7311 E. Thomas Rd. / Scottsdale, AZ 85251                                   Dr. William J. Langhofer, DVM
Phone: 480-945-8484 / Fax: 480-945-8766                                 Dr. Rowena D’Monte, DVM
Hours: 7:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M. / 7 Days a Week                           Dr. David Gosche, DVM
Website: www.tsvcpets.com                                                                  Dr. Samantha Lieberman, DVM

Chinchilla Toys, Treats, and Chews
Chinchillas love to eat, especially sugary treats, but they also very easily gain weight. For this reason it is very imporant to not give too many treats to your chinchillas, no matter how much they beg for them (and they will beg!).

Despite what your local petstores say, foods with a lot of seeds and nuts are NOT good for chinchillas. They contain too many carbohydrates, which can severely mess up a chinchilla’s gastrointestinal tract. They will get diarrhea and this can lead to death. The best treats to give chinchillas are green leafy vegetables, which they love, and occasional fruits. You should always give organic fruits and vegetables, as pesticides are even more detrimental to their health than ours.

Below is a list of fruits you can give to chinchillas in small amounts as occasional treats. Give only 1 level tablespoon per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight daily. Do not forget to wash them first!

Peaches Strawberries Apples (no seeds) Nectarines
Plums Blueberries Raspberries Raisins
Blackberries Carrots Apricots Oranges
Papaya Green and red bell peppers

Below is a list of safe chews and toys for your chinchilla. It is very important that they have something to chew on as their teeth grow continuously and need to be worn down. Toys are also important to prevent boredom, provide exercise and mental stimulation, and keep your chinchilla from destroying your home.

Straw and hay mats Timothy Hay (or other grass hay)
Dried cholla Dried gourds Mineral licks Paper bags for hiding
Busy Bunny Toys (www.busybunny.com) Toilet paper/paper towel rolls
Phone books for shredding Cat toys (roll or toss) Napkin holders (wooden or ceramic) Cardboard boxes
Wooden bird toys that hang from cage

Bad for Chinchillas
The following list of foods greens you should never give to a chinchilla. Also, keep all poisonous plants and chemicals out of reach. They hop high and get into mischief when you’re not around!

Iceberg lettuce Cereal Potatoes Radishes Chocolate Meat Bananas Cabbage Rhubarb Onions/garlic Rice Nuts/Seeds Sugary foods Bread Wood with tarnish, sealant, or paint on it

Surgery After Care Instructions

After surgery multiple options exist to help with healing of the wound from the incision and to help prevent your pet from chewing at this incision. In general dogs tend to lick and chew at incisions more than cats.

1. Stitch Removal: stitches or staples should be removed 10-14 days after surgery. The stitches may remain in place longer if your pet has diabetes, cushings disease, low protein levels, or another disease that lowers the rate of healing. Ask your veterinarian for advice on the length of time for removal of stitches. Many stitches are absorbable and will fall out in 2-30 weeks, depending on the type of material that is used.
2. Itching /Licking at the incision- your pet is likely to lick and chew the incision 5-7 days after surgery. This is when the scar tissue is forming and when they feel the best after surgery. Make sure that you continue to monitor the incision and give the pain meds for at least one week after surgery. You can help prevent them from licking by distraction, pain meds, collars, etc.
3. Collars- Many different types of collars, ballons, tubes exist to prevent your pet from chewing at the incision. These are recommended to help prevent them from chewing out the stitches and drain tubes after surgery. The collar should prevent them from being able to reach the incision site. The e-collar should be attached with a collar that is snug to prevent them from pulling off the collar. You should be able to get 1-2 fingers under the collar. If you can get 3-4 fingers under the collar it is probably too loose. Some cats and animals will get depressed while wearing collars, make sure that your pet is eating, drinking, urinating, and defecating while wearing the collar.
4. Pain Medications: For example NSAIDS, Morphine, Tramadol may all be used to help reduce pain. If your pet is chewing at the incision they are in pain and they need these medications. Many pets will not cry in pain or limp with discomfort. If they are chewing or licking the incision pain meds are needed. If the incision is red and inflamed your pet is probably chewing while you are not around or at night. Make sure that you give the pain meds if the incision starts to look red or feels warm.
5. Sedatives: If you pet continues to lick the incision with pain medication, then sedatives may also be required. We used acepromazine and diazepam to help with sedation if needed.
6. Wound therapy: Aloe vera or curafil wound gel may help speed healing on the incision site. These should be applied 2-3 times per day.
7. Keep the wound / incision dry and clean. If the wound is leaking serum, lightly clean the area with a disinfectant that is recommended by your veterinarian.
8. Covering the incision: This can also prevent your pet from traumatizing the area. A shirt works well for incisions on the front ½ of the body. A bandage works well for incisions on the feet and legs. Make sure that the shirt and the bandage are dry and clean.

1. Pain medications- Tramadol , hydromorphone, and buprenorphine are morphine type products that can help with back pain. This product may cause constipation; therefore, laxatives are recommended.

2. Muscle relaxants- Methocarbamol or Diazepam may be used to help reduce the amount of muscle spasms that your pet may experience with back pain. These are recommended if they are restless, panting, or unable to sleep at night.

3. Weight loss and exercise- if your pet is overweight we will recommend weight loss. Exercise is recommended to keep the muscles in the back strong. Leash walk or swimming is the best exercise. Absolutely no fetch, and no jumping should be allowed for the next month, as this type of exercise can continue to injure the back.

4. Anti-inflammatory medications- Prednisone (cortisone) may be recommended for disc disease.  This may also be recommended if your pet is not responding to other therapy.  This cannot be given with any aspirin type products. Some potential side effect include: diabetes, liver disease, immune suppression, and stomach ulcers.

5. Other pain meds may include rimadyl, aspirin, metacam, etc- these cannot be given with any type of cortisone, and should be discontinued if any vomiting or diarrhea is noted.

6. We recommend fiber to prevent constipation: canned pumpkin or metamucil.

7. Docusate sodium (Colace) may also be recommended for constipation.

8. Injectable adequan can speed healing with arthritis, and with disc disease. This is usually given 1-2 times per week for one month, then monthly.

9. Heat and massage therapy on the area that is painful may help relax the muscles and aid in recovery. This can be performed daily at home.

10. Acupuncture and a chiropractic adjustment with Dr D’Monte has had some significant success in treating back pain, and back injuries.

11. Duralactin is highly recommended as an effective anti-inflammatory agent for arthritis in the back and back injuries. This will probably be recommended for life if your pet injures their back.

12. Fish oil appears to be helpful in the treatment and prevention of back injuries and arthritis. Fish oil does take some time to build up in the body to start showing its effectiveness.

13. With disc disease it is possible for your pet to become completely paralyzed, if this happens surgery may be the only solution for this condition. Monitor your pet closely through the recovery period, and recheck immediately if worse or if not improving.

Dr. Bill Langhofer

The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic

Open 7 am – 11 pm, 7 days per week (Closed on major holidays)

480-945-8484

TSVCpets.com

scottsdaleveterinaryclinic.com

Some of our clients prefer to make food for their pets.  This is time consuming but if you have the time can be rewarding.  This is also an alternative for pets that are finiky.  These are basic guidelines and may need modification depeding on your pet’s medical conditions and dietary needs.

Basic recipe for home made diets, using the following grains, meats, and vegetables:
-Grains: Brown rice, barley, or corn meal
-Meats: Beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey, beef hearts/liver, or chicken gizzards
-Vegetables: Broccoli, squash, carrots, string beans (A mix of fresh vegetables is recommended)

For an Adult dog the mix of the food should be as follows:
25% meat/protein source
50% grain source
25% vegetable source.
For example give 1/4 cup of meat, with 1/4 cup of mixed vegetables, with 1/2 cup of grains.

Younger dogs require a higher protein level then a grown animal.
30% meat/protein source
60% grain source
10% vegetable source.

All the food sources may be cooked and kept in the refrigerator and fed daily. A new batch of food should be made at least 2 times per week.

Vitamin Supplementation:
- Recommend Standard Process Canine Whole Body Support (This can be purchased here at Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic), or a good quality commercial vitamins and mineral supplement.
- Add extra vitamin C the form of sodium ascorbate to the diet. Puppies should get 250 mg of vitamin C daily, as should small dogs, 500 mg daily for medium size dogs, and 750 ml daily for large dogs.
- Fatty Acid oil supplement is also required- Eicosaderm is a supplement that can be obtained at Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic that has a good combination of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. An alternative, is using cold pressed olive oil- 1 teaspoon for small dogs, 1 and 1/2 tablespoons for large dogs. Cod liver oil or fish oil can be used in addition to olive oil as it provides a good source of vitamin A and antioxidants which help in arthritis conditions- use 1 teaspoon for medium size dogs.
- Kelp powder or other sea weeds as a seasoning to one meal daily- use about 1/4 teaspoon.

Another options for your pets diet is to have the diet formulated on line, based on your pet’s needs and tastes. The following websites offer diet formulation for a fee:

WWW.PETDIETS.COM
WWW.BALANCEIT.COM

Dr. Rowena D’Monte

The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic

7311 E Thomas Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

www.TSVCpets.com

480-945-8484, open every day from 7 am- 9pm

Arthritis Treatment Options from Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic

Arthritis is a chronic, degenerative disease of the joints in which the body places bone around unstable or ‘wobbly’ joints. In a dog, the most commonly affected joints are the hips, shoulders, knees, elbows and spine. By the time your pet has reached 8 to 9 years old, there is a 90% chance that there is some form of arthritis present. Once arthritis has begun, unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to reverse or stop the progression of the disease. As arthritis worsens, pets will tend to act ‘stiff’ when walking, especially after waking up in the morning or during cold, wet weather and in the winter. As your pet walks or begins to exercise, they tend to ‘work out’ the stiffness and act more normal, but will again act sore after exercise is complete. Thankfully, we have many different ways to attack the pain caused by arthritis and make your pet feel much better while living with this chronic condition.

Supplements

The first line of defense at The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic is the use of supplements and vitamins in the control of arthritis. Fish oil, or Omega-3 Fatty Acids, is a key component of managing the inflammation and pain of arthritis and aiding in the lubrication of joints. Joint supplements such as Cetyl-M are helpful in regenerating the cartilage in joints to allow less bone-to-bone contact and decrease pain. Duralactin is a protein supplement that also helps decrease pain. A Vitamin-B derivative is also very helpful in blocking a specific portion of the ‘pain pathway,’ eliminating a source of chronic pain from arthritis. During your initial physical examination, we will discuss these medications and recommended doses for your pet.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Though supplements are a great and safe way of managing pain in arthritis patients, eventually, additional prescription medications are needed to help with the pain. NSAIDs are an effective and very safe way of giving that additional level of pain control. There are many different classes of NSAIDs that can be used to control pain, depending on the patient, some are more safe than others. We will tailor an NSAID plan to your pet that will lessen the risks while maximizing the benefits of these drugs. Due to possible rare side effects of these medications, it is highly recommended to evaluate periodic blood work to ensure that the kidneys and liver are not adversely affected by the use of these medications.

Adjunctive Medical Management

Additional medications are sometimes needed to help control the signs of pain in some patients. When we need to add on other medications to make your pet feel better, the most common is a very safe, synthetic, non-addictive, morphine-based medication called Tramadol. Another safe medication used, called a Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan, or Adequan, is helpful in regenerating joints in the face of arthritis. Additional medications can also used as needed to help ‘reset’ the amount of pain felt by your pet. Your veterinarian will discuss these medications and the potential side effects if needed.

Alternative therapies

At The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic, we are always looking for new and effective approaches to manage chronic pain in our patients. One way to do this is through the use of acupuncture and chiropractics. Both of these modalities are very helpful in lessening the pain felt from chronic arthritis. We are also able to use stem-cell therapy to help regenerate the painful joints in your pet. In this procedure, fat tissue is taken from around the liver and processed to obtain the stem-cells, which are then injected into the affected joints. Over the following months, most pets begin to feel much more mobile and are able to get around much easier.

Dr. Darren Wright, DVM

Tips on Giving Your Pet Oral Medication from the Doctors at The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic.
Cats
1. When giving a medication in pill form, first wrap it in deli meat, tuna fish, a pill pocket, or any treat that your cat will enjoy
2. Capsules are easy to break open and mix with wet food (a/d) or tuna fish.
3. For tablets, try hiding it in wet food. Be sure to ask before crushing up any medication as some should not be crushed!
4. If the above options do not work, you will have to force the cat to take the medication. Place the pill (throw the pill to the back of the throat) on the inside of the back corner of the mouth (as far back as you can get it) and then hold your cat’s mouth shut while they swallow. It usually slides down easier if dipped in a small amount of butter. You make also use a piller to get the medication to the back of the mouth.
5. If the medication is in liquid form, you can sprinkle it on their food or mix with their food, which your cat sometimes will eat without noticing. This will usually need to be a very tasty food such as a/d, tuna, salmon, beef jerky, deli meat, liverwurst, etc.
6. If you free feed your cat, you will need to give the liquid directly. Draw the medication up with a syringe and place the tip of the opening to the corner of your cat’s mouth. Place the syringe between the lips and slowly squirt the medicine into the mouth (not too quickly as to gag the cat, but quick enough she doesn’t have time to pull away). This may take a few tries because your cat will most likely pull away or struggle, until they understand what is happening. You can also hold the scruff, tilt the head back, and squirt the liquid in the side of the mouth. Giving them a treat or water chaser after medication, helps the medication go down and makes the next time easier.

Dogs
1. When giving a pill, simply wrap it in a very small piece of “Human” food (deli meat) or dog treat, and follow the “treat” with a much larger treat immediately. This will cause them to rapidly swallow the first treat with the medication as they anticipate the larger treat that follows.
2. When giving a liquid let your dog smell it first and then squirt it in on the side of the mouth. Remember to hold the mouth closed until you see a good swallow (about 3-5 seconds). Then give a treat after the medication as a chaser.
3. Pills may be given with a small amount of butter, followed by a treat.
4. Pills may be given with a small amount of peanut butter (since peanut butter is sticky it sometimes causes the medications to get stuck in the mouth).
5. A small hole may be punctured in a marshmallow and the pill may be given in this mechanism.

* If they refuse to swallow, holding their muzzle shut and blowing on their nose or rubbing their throat usually encourages them to swallow.

* At The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic we can flavor most medication here with our flavoring system to make it more palatable. We can mix both pills and liquid into a variety of flavored liquids your pet will enjoy. Ask us about Flavor Rx Mandarin orange, chopped liver, grilled tuna, crispy bacon, salmon, mom’s banana bread and other flavors.

* We can also give many medications in injectable forms. Ask about Convenia, this injectable antibiotic only needs to be given once every 2 weeks.

* Call us anytime that you have questions about medicating your pet!!!

* Call to verify that the particular medication that you are trying to administer to your pet can be given with one of the things or methods that are recommended in this handout.  Some medications cannot be mixed with certain food, medications, or methods.  Some medications must be given at certain times of the day.  Some medications are sensitive to heat, cold, etc.  If you have any questions consult your veterinarian on a particular medication or disease.

Dr. Bill Langhofer, The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic

TSVCpets.com

Open 7 days a week from 7 am – 9 pm.  Yes we are open on Sunday!!!

The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic DENTAL CARE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Good teeth and gums are very important to the health of your pet, the average animal lives 2-3 years longer with healthy teeth, than those with gingivitis and tartar. Bad teeth and gingivitis can lead to heart disease, kidney and liver failure, and many other diseases.

1. We recommend starting on Plaque Off. It bonds to tartar, and breaks tartar off the teeth in addition to preventing new tartar from forming. Simply add this powder to ‘s food daily. This product works well for dogs and cats that do not like to chew or are too sick for a dental cleaning.

2. You can also use dental chews, and we recommend CET HEXTRA chews. A recent study in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry noted a 46% reduction in gingivitis with rawhide chews. CET chews have enzymes that help eat the tartar off the teeth. It also has an antibacterial agent (Chlorhexidine gluconate), that acts like a mouth wash. These help to scrape tartar and plaque off the teeth and to reduce bacteria in the mouth. If you purchase chews from a local pet store, please keep in mind that they must be “enzymatic” to be really effective.
*Overall chews are safe and very beneficial to the teeth; however, if you pet swallows them whole they must be discontinued as they can cause a blockage and may require surgery. Other rawhides/chews tend to cause more problems with diarrhea/vomiting as they are cured with formaldehyde. The CET Chews are cured with a bake and press method which make them safer to give to your pet, and easier to digest when swallowed.

3. We also recommend you try brushing ‘s teeth 2 times weekly. You can buy toothpaste and toothbrushes here or at the local pet store. Do not use a human tooth paste as these cannot be swallowed.

4. Greenies can be beneficial to the teeth. Make sure your pet does not swallow them whole as they can cause a blockage and possibly require surgery.

5. Dental cleanings are recommended for pets with tartar and gingivitis, and for pets that will possible require tooth extractions. At The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic we have great discounts on our dental prophys the month of September and February, with discounts of 25% on the cleanings. Most dogs and cats will require a dental cleaning around 7 years of age and every 1-2 years after to keep the teeth in good condition.

Dr William ( Bill ) Langhofer
The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic
7311 E Thomas Rd
Scottsdale, Az 85251
Open 7 days a week!!

These are a list of the things that the doctors at the Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic may recommend for back pain or back injury with your pet

1. Pain medications- Tramadol , hydromorphone, and buprenorphine are morphine type products that can help with back pain. This product may cause constipation; therefore,  laxatives are recommended.

2. Muscle relaxants- Methocarbamol or Diazepam may be used to help reduce the amount of muscle spasms that your pet may experience with back pain. These are recommended if they are restless, panting, or unable to sleep at night.

3. Weight loss and exercise- if your pet is overweight we will recommend weight loss. Exercise is recommended to keep the muscles in the back strong. Leash walk or swimming is the best exercise. Absolutely no fetch, jumping should be allowed for the next month, as this type of exercise can continue to injure the back.

4. Anti-inflammatory medications- Prednisone (cortisone) may be recommended for disc disease, this cannot be given with any aspirin type products. Some potential side effect include: diabetes, liver disease, immune suppression, and stomach ulcers.

5. Other pain meds may include rimadyl, aspirin, metacam, etc- these cannot be given with any type of cortisone, and should be discontinued if any vomiting or diarrhea is noted.

6. We recommend fiber to prevent constipation: canned pumpkin or metamucil.

7. Docusate sodium (Colace) may also be recommended for constipation.

8. Injectable adequan can speed healing with arthritis, and with disc disease. This is usually given 1-2 times per week for one month, then monthly.

9. Heat and massage therapy on the area that is painful may help relax the muscles and aid in recovery. This can be performed daily at home.

10. Acupuncture and a chiropractic adjustment with Dr D’Monte has had some significant success in treating back pain, and back injuries.

11. Duralactin is highly recommended as an effective anti-inflammatory agent for arthritis in the back and back injuries. This will probably be recommended for life if your pet injures their back.

12. Fish oil appears to be helpful in the treatment and prevention of back injuries and arthritis. Fish oil does take some time to build up in the body to start showing its effectiveness.

13. With disc disease it is possible for your pet to become completely paralyzed, if this happens surgery may be the only solution for this condition. Monitor your pet closely through the recovery period, and recheck immediately if worse or if not improving.

Dr. Bill Langhofer, DVM

The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic

Serving the Scottsdale, Tempe, Phoenix, and Mesa Area of Arizona

480-945-8484