Pet Health Hospital has launched a social media campaign designed to both inform those interested in learning specifics of programs that are offered but additionally engage pet parents who want to follow and promote the ongoing achievement levels that their pet has crossed.  Various programs have been launched under the “Pet” moniker, including “PetStay,” “PetFit” and “PetPaws.”  Each specific engagement program uses social media postings directly from Pet Health Hospital staff to provide ongoing updates to pet parents via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Within the “PetStay” program, pets who are being boarded at Pet Health Hospital are photographed during their stay, allowing parents to log into the social media profiles and see their pet enjoying it’s time with the Pet Health Hospital veterinary staff.  The program focuses on providing pet parents who are missing their pets while they are boarded to see that their care and happiness is being taken into consideration.  In the “PetFit” program, weightloss milestones are posted alongside photographs of the pet participants, providing not only a chronological documentation of the weightloss program, but additionally providing motivation for pet owners to stick to the program guidelines, as they can see the results first hand.  Within the “PetPaws” program, pets who have left their owners and passed on are memorialized on the social media sites, providing a bit of comfort to grieving parents.

The “Pet” programs at Pet Health Hospital are unique in that they are a vehicle to keep pet parents engaged with the veterinary care of their animals.  The philosophy of Pet Health Hospital is to avoid injuries, illnesses and surgeries over the lifespan of a pet by providing engagement to the pet’s owners.  Pet care is not only taking the animal to the veterinarian when it is sick, but an ongoing program of maintenance procedures designed to keep the pet healthy.  Through the utilization of social media, Pet Health Hospital hopes to create a higher level of engagement with your pet’s care, and thus provide a greater level of service than any other veterinarian in Las Vegas, or the country.

Pet Dental Health: Periodontal Disease

One of the most common clinical conditions in adult dogs and cats is periodontal disease and includes gingivitis (reversible reddening and inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (loss of bone and soft tissue that surround the teeth). The periodontal disease tends to begin early in a pet’s life, but early signs of disease are not often obvious to pet owners. As a result, they may not seek professional treatment until there is an extensive disease and a greater chance of tooth loss.

Gingivitis begins when bacteria build up between the teeth and gums, forming a soft, sticky substance made up of bacteria called plaque that sticks to the surface of the teeth. The plaque quickly hardens into tartar. As plaque and tartar spread below the gum line, their bacteria irritate and cause inflammation of the gums. Small pockets form in the space between the gums and teeth, trapping food and bacteria. Once plaque has hardened into tartar and has begun to grow in thickness, dental instruments are necessary to remove it.

As the inflammatory process progresses over long periods, periodontitis develops. As the gum infection worsens, it may cause damage to the supporting tissues of the tooth and eventually result in tooth loss. Severe infections may require a gingivectomy, which involves the removal of part of the diseased gum. To allow the gums to fully heal, it may be necessary to remove some or all of the teeth. The importance of professional dental cleaning at this stage cannot be understated. Studies have shown that if bacteria surrounding the roots of the teeth enter the bloodstream, a condition called bacteremia, pets may suffer damage to their kidneys, heart, and liver.

Bad breath (halitosis) is often the first indication that a pet is due for a dental examination. If there is oral pain, pets may drool, be reluctant to eat or drop food from their mouth. The gums may appear red, swollen, and bleed easily. Pets with diabetes require extra attention and tend to have a greater risk of developing periodontal disease.

The key to managing gum disease in pets is prevention. Daily brushing of the teeth and frequent chewing activities are effective ways to keep teeth and gums healthy. Regular veterinary dental examinations help determine when periodic professional scaling and cleanings may be necessary to maintain the oral health of pets, particularly as they age. Since each pet is different, a veterinarian can suggest how frequently your pet may require professional cleaning and offer tips for a regular home dental program.