Healthy Pets & People with Dr. Patrick: New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pet: Schedule Regular Veterinary Examinations

DrPatrickMahaney February 14, 2011 1 Comment

by Dr. Patrick Mahaney (Out Impact on Facebook, Out Impact on Twitter)

Have you already started any healthful life changes for yourself or your pet in 2011? Although I wish you well, I am concerned mostly about the health of your pets. Check out my New Years Resolutions for Your Pet Part 1- Focus on Diet and Part 2- Commit to Daily Exercise, then follow my final recommendation to optimize the quality of life of your canine or feline companion in 2011.

Schedule Regular Veterinary Examinations
Do you have an annual wellness exam with your doctor? You should, as your medical practitioner can observe any illness trends to readily diagnose and treat disease.

Apply the same principle to your pet’s health by scheduling a wellness physical exam by your veterinarian at least every 12 months. Geriatric pets (greater than 7 years of age) and those having any ongoing health issues (including arthritis, endocrine disease, cancer, and allergic skin disease) should be examined more frequently.

Commit to immediately resolving any health problems your veterinarian discovers before irreversible damage occurs. One of the main examples which I proactively address in my clinical practice is periodontal disease.

The oral cavity is a source of infection and inflammation that can adversely affect the health of internal organs (kidneys, liver, heart, pancreas, other) and the immune system. Dr. Jan Bellows, Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College, defines periodontal disease as “the disease process that begins with gingivitis (inflammation of gingiva, or gum tissue) and progresses to periodontitis (erosion of the teeth’s supporting structures) when left untreated”. According to a recent study done by Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine professor of epidemiology, Larry Glickman, a statistically increased incidence of heart disease in dogs is associated with increasing severity of periodontal disease.

Your pet will benefit from habitual teeth brushing along with an anesthetic or non-anesthetic teeth cleaning pending your veterinarian’s evaluation. I brush Cardiff’s teeth three times a week (using a “retired” Sonicare toothbrush and CET Toothpaste) and Cardiff gets a non-anesthetic dental every 4-6 months.

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Copyright of this article (2011) is owned by Dr. Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr. Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr. Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.

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DrPatrickMahaney

Dr. Patrick Mahaney, VMD graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. In 2000, Dr. Mahaney completed an Internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C., and has since practiced in a variety of hospitals, doing both general and emergency practice.

Dr. Mahaney moved to Los Angeles to join the TLC Pet Medical Center team in early 2006. His practice philosophy is to improve the quality of life for both pets and their owner’s by establishing client relationships with open lines of communication and providing optimum care within his capabilities.

Dr. Mahaney completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society basic course in 2006 and is now a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA). He is especially interested in chronic pain management and uses a variety of modalities, including acupuncture, to improve the comfort level of his patients. Dr. Mahaney strongly believes that many canine and feline diseases can be better managed by incorporating both Western and Eastern treatments. In 2008, Dr. Mahaney incorporated his own small business, California Pet Acupuncture & Wellness (CPAW). CPAW offers in-home acupuncture and musculoskeletal therapy, pet appropriate environment consultation, veterinary supervised exercise sessions, and euthanasia.

Having lived in Philadelphia, DC, and Seattle, Dr. Mahaney feels as though Los Angeles’ mix of city, nature, and culture make it the ideal place to establish both personal and professional roots. Dr. Mahaney resides in West Hollywood with his Welsh Terrier, Cardiff. He and Cardiff enjoy canyon hiking, urban trekking, running on the beach. Dr. Mahaney also enjoys working out, playing tennis, doing yoga, going to museums, cosmetically improving his home, propagating plants, and spending quality time with friends and family.