Getting drugs at your Vet vs. Retail Pharmacies and Wholesalers

       I hope you are sitting down as you read this article because I have shocking news.  Are you ready?  Ok here it is:

Things are cheaper at retail Pharmacies and Wholesalers.

I’ll give you a minute to process this information…

       Now that I’ve gotten some of the sarcasm out of my system, let us proceed to the point of this article.  Recently, the CBC wrote a piece (and featured it on the news) titled “Pet medicine much cheaper from pharmacies and wholesalers”.  After reading the article, as well as the comments left by other readers, I started feeling frustrated with (what seems to be) the general opinion that the veterinary community is nothing but a bunch of uncompassionate, money-grubbing jerks.  I could write a novel about how wrong this perception is, but for the sake of being concise, I will attempt to confine myself to the issue of the costs of drugs in the vet clinic vs. pharmacies and wholesalers.

Before I get started, there are a few things that I will mention later in the article that I’m just going to define now:

1) Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)àThis is the foundation of   

effective veterinary medicine and animal care, and is required by law.  A valid VCPR can only exist if the veterinarian knows your pet well enough to be able to diagnose and treat any medical conditions your animal develops; the only way this can happen is if the veterinarian has seen your pet in person, and if the relationship is maintained by regular veterinary visits to monitor your pet’s health.  Your part of the VCPR is allowing your vet to take responsibility for medical judgments about your pet, asking questions to make sure you understand, and following your vet’s instructions.  Your vet’s part of the VCPR is to make those judgments, accept responsibility for your pet’s care, advise you on the benefits and risks of different treatment options, keep a written record of everything he/she does regarding your pet’s health, and help you know how to get emergency care if the need should arise.  If a VCPR is not present, or is not maintained, then it would be illegal and unethical for your vet to either prescribe or recommend treatment without recently examining your pet; a VCPR cannot be established or maintained online, via email, or over the phone.     

2) Compounded MedicationsàThese are pharmaceuticals that have been formulated or reformulated into an different form.  For example, a pill that gets crushed up and mixed with a flavoured suspending agent to turn it into a liquid medication has been compounded.

3)Extra-label/Off-labelàUsing a drug “off-label” means that the drug is properly licensed and manufactured, but not for the ailment or species for which private practitioners intend to use them.

4) Drug Identification Number (DIN)à This is an 8 digit number assigned by Health Canada to a drug prior to it being marketed. It uniquely identifies all drug products sold in a dosage form and is located on the label of prescription and over-the-counter drug products that have been evaluated and authorized for sale in Canada.  It also uniquely identifies the following product characteristics: manufacturer; product name; active ingredient(s); strength(s) of active ingredient(s); pharmaceutical form; route of administration.

          The main point that the CBC article makes is that veterinary drugs and supplies can be purchased for a cheaper price at wholesalers (like Costco) and at retail pharmacies.  Although they very briefly mention a veterinary clinic’s increased overhead and a pharmacy’s/wholesaler’s ability to stock more than a vet clinic would ever need to, they certainly do not go into depth about it.   I would like to attempt to give you the whole picture, not just a fraction.

First of all, I’d like to point out that EVERYTHING is cheaper at a wholesaler; the whole point of a store like Costco is that you can buy in bulk at a cheaper price.  What many people don’t realize is that places like Costco can sell their products for less than what the vet clinic pays just to get the products in stock.  Furthermore, clinics keep very little in stock compared to pharmacies and wholesalers, which increases the cost of shipping.  On top of that, clinics have to make sure to cover their overhead, which is HUGE, and substantially more than in any retail pharmacy or wholesaler.  It includes (but is not limited to) consumable supplies, anesthetic machines, x-ray equipment, lab machines, maintenance for everything, as well as staffing the hospital with qualified personnel.  Contrary to popular belief, this overhead is not covered by exam fees and surgeries; the cost of overhead in most clinics is spread over everything the clinic offers, including pharmaceuticals and prescription fees.  The CBC article fails to mention the price of prescription fees, perhaps because you pay them no matter where you go. 

Another thing you are paying for at a vet clinic is the expertise of the vet and their staff, phone consultations and follow-ups regarding how your pet is doing on the prescribed treatment plan, and help if you are having trouble getting meds into your pet, or if you need clarification on how to do so.  No one at a wholesaler has that kind of training, and pharmacists know next to nothing about treating non-humans; even if your vet has prescribed a human drug for your pet, the pharmacist, unless they are also a trained veterinarian, knows nothing about how the dosing works with animals (because it is often wildly different between humans and other species), nor do they know about how the drug interactions change between species.  If you take any prescription, whether it’s for you or your pet, legally, pharmacists are allowed to change the dose and even the type of drug.  As far as that goes, I’ll say simply this: pharmacists are not trained in veterinary medicine, and even if they were, they have no access to the pet’s medical records so they do not know what is an appropriate treatment plan.  Your vet does.  If you fill your prescriptions at your vet clinic, you know without a doubt that you are getting the appropriate drug and dose for your pet.

While you can certainly get some medications for your pet from the pharmacy, there are some veterinary exclusive drugs that you can only get through your vet.  But that’s just another example of money hungry vets, right? Wrong. 

Let me give you a brief summary of how a drug gets licensed for use (bear with me, it’s a little boring).  All drugs, whether for humans or other species, are governed by the same federal regulatory authority; this means that they must undergo stringent testing to demonstrate safety and efficacy for the specific species and disease that it is meant to treat.  Once it has passed all that testing, it is granted a DIN, and the product then must be manufactured according to the approved practices.  In other words, just because a drug has been approved for use in humans, does not mean it has been sufficiently evaluated for its effects on animals, and vice versa. So why doesn’t the vet just use human drugs because they are cheaper for the owner?  A vet often uses drugs off-label because the veterinary market is small, so sometimes the drug they need isn’t available for animals; however, in doing so, the vet places his/her veterinary license on the line.  If the drug causes an adverse reaction in the pet, then it’s the veterinarian’s fault for using a drug off label. 

If your vet does decide to write a prescription for something you can get at the pharmacy, they’ll still charge you a prescription writing fee.  Many people view this "nickel-and-diming" as unfair because they feel like they are paying for the 10 seconds of time that it takes to scribble on a piece of paper.  In actuality, that fee is not for the prescription itself; it’s for the time it takes to read and analyze the file of the pet in question, to decide if that drug is appropriate, to do research into how (or if) that drug will affect any other drugs that your pet is currently on, and to do research into the risks involved in that specific drug for whatever species it’s being used for, not to mention all the follow-up afterwards.  This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour for complicated cases, and the people in veterinary medicine, just like any other profession, deserve to get paid for that time and effort.

Some drugs are approved for both human and non-human use.  For example, meloxicam (commonly known in my world as Metacam) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that we use for pain control and to bring down fevers.  I don’t pretend to know what it’s used for in human medicine, but I would guess the same thing; however, clinics do not usually write prescriptions for Meloxicam to be filled at the pharmacy.  This is not because we want to squeeze your wallets, it’s because Meloxicam made for humans often does not come in a small enough dose for a dog or a cat.  After all, a pill made for a 60kg person would be an incredible overdose for a 3kg cat.  You can compound a medication to make the dose suitable for a 3kg cat, but compounding changes the form of the drug, thereby bypassing the federal regulations for manufacturing that drug; this means that the potency, efficacy, and stability of the drug is no longer guaranteed, and once again, the vet assumes 100% responsibility.

So ask yourself this: Is saving $100, or even $20, worth risking my pet’s well-being if there is a more expensive but species appropriate drug available?  Is it worth my vet losing their license?  I would say a very emphatic “NO”.

The last point I’ll make regards the very last line of the article, which really burned my bacon.  It’s another topic that I could write a novel on, and it’s one that doesn’t apply exclusively to drug costs, but it’s one that I feel needs to be addressed; it’s also one that I, personally, feel very strongly about.  The article finishes with quotes from one of their interviewees who mentions the “lack of regulation” to make veterinary care more affordable, and then closes off with this gem: “in the meantime, [he] recommends finding a compassionate vet.”  I’m going to write this in big, bold capital letters to make it very clear:

LOW PRICES DO NOT EQUAL COMPASSION

It’s true that the CVMA publishes guidelines about how much to charge, and it’s also true that they are simply guidelines, and individual clinics can charge whatever they deem necessary.  The cold hard truth is that vet clinics are businesses that need to make money in order to function.  I, and my fellow veterinary professionals, do this job because we love it.  The fact that we get to help animals every single day makes our less-than-amazing wages and salaries more acceptable.  Just to make a point: many technicians get paid on par with, or less than, some baristas at Starbucks, and vets graduate with a debt load that is just as large as human doctors, but most get paid less than half of what a human doctor makes; in other words, we are NOT in this for the money.  Many clinics also have funds in place to help people in emergency situations, not to mention the fund-raising that many do for worthy causes like the SPCA; in other words, we ARE compassionate people who will try to help out in any way we can. 

          I do encourage people to do some research (through reliable internet sources, not just random chat-room/blogger/I-have-an-axe-to-grind-webpage information), tour the clinics, and meet the vets so a discussion about standards of care can take place.  That being said, I also beg people to remember that low prices do not equal better care, and that includes prices related to pharmacy costs.

          Ultimately, it is up to you, the owner/pet parent.  If you know your cat requires $150.00 of drugs per month to stave off kidney failure, you have to plan for that.  Pet insurance is an invaluable asset here, as are the PetCard Finance companies.  Many people have set up bank accounts specifically to save for their pet’s care. 

          To sum up: Yes drugs are cheaper at retail pharmacies and wholesalers, but you may not be getting safe, species appropriate drugs, and you don’t get the veterinary expertise and care that your pet deserves.  As an added bonus, by buying your pet’s medications at the vet clinic, you support the clinic and the people who love and care for your pet.       

~By: Lisa Horne

Furbabies and Toddlers

By: Samantha Haines, RAHT

First a bit of background information.

For those of you that do not know I am a Registered Veterinary Technologist and a Certified Canine Master Trainer. I have worked at the Sechelt Animal Hospital for almost 7 years, after moving to the Sunshine Coast to get married and start a family.

Koda

My Smudgie Cat

Simone (aka Brown Dog)



 

I have always been in love with animals.  My fur babies include my 9 year old border collie mix named Koda, my 6 year old German Shepard named Simone, and my very special cat named Smudgie.  For most of my adult life these creatures have been the loves of my life, my secret keepers and my companions.  I have been involved with the Canadian Kennel Club (C.K.C.), Canadian Association of Rally Obedience (C.A.R.O.) and have competed with my dogs in both.  The decision to have a child was made, and I knew this might be difficult for my fur babies.

My dogs were the ring bearers at my wedding and were escorted down the isle by my bridesmaids.

After my son was born in 2009, the usual life changing events occurred for them.  Suddenly they were not my whole world, but only just a part of it.  They were still loved, fed and well cared for, but our lives had changed.  Their daily walks were reduced, they spent more time sleeping on the floor instead of on the bed, and training became nil. 

In the early days, Smudgie stayed always just out of reach

At first adjusting to the newborn was easy: they were curious, got up with me in the middle of the night, and snuggled close by with me and the baby.  But as my son started to get older things started to change.  My son became louder, mobile and as all babies do...rough.  The dogs in particular became agitated and afraid.  This was extremely painful for me to watch.  Not only did I feel bad for them but I also worried for the safety of my son.  My oldest dog, Koda, even began to growl at my son.  I knew that I had to do something before something worse happened.  A baby gate was used to keep the dogs and the baby separate, allowing the dogs to only be in the family room when my son was sleeping in his room.  I was mortified and embarrassed that this is what I had to do to them, but it was the only option to keep both parties safe. 

As my son grew he became more capable of biting, hitting and harassing the pets.
Occasionally he would manage to pin the cat down, but thankfully my cat is very patient and never used claws or teeth.

After my son's first birthday, things started changing again.  Now that he was on the move he was of course infatuated with the dogs.  He wanted to pat them (although still quite rough), occasionally pull on their fur, and chase them around the house.  This only increased their anxiety and fear.  So whenever he would come towards them, (possibly not even to see them) they would scatter on the laminate floors often knocking him over in the process, ending in tears from him and again banishment to behind the gate for the dogs.  This actually resulted in both parties being afraid of each other.  My heart was broken. 

Over the next 3 months (my son was now 18-20 months) every time he came close to the dogs, I gave them a treat.  My son thought that this was a very fun game, and so it went on.  The dogs eventually decided that it was easier to just sit still and wait for the cookie.  The game progressed so that instead of me giving the dogs the cookie, it came directly from my son.  The dogs' fear and anxiety became less and less.   We are constantly teaching him how to be gentle and the proper way to approach the dogs and cat. Now as he runs around the house thrashing his toys and yelling "dogdogdog" they don't scatter but calmly wait for the cookie; or if need be just slowly walk away, being careful not to run right into him.  Simone now allows him to pet her and enjoys playing chase and fetch with him.  Koda is still not so forgiving, but has definitely become more tolerable of him.  I still am always watching when they are in the same room, and allowing the dogs to retreat behind the gate when they choose to; but now it is their choice, not a mandatory banishment. 

 

 

Living with pets and toddlers can be very difficult.  Not all pets are going to enjoy the manhandling that comes along with  having small humans around.  The important thing is to not force the relationship but to allow a safe environment for each to coexist.  It is imperative to remember that your dog (regardless of size) and cat can turn and very seriously harm a child very quickly.  They can be a very dangerous combination and should never be left without supervision.  We cannot expect that our pets will instantly want to be apart of our children's lives, but it is up to us to teach both child and pet the right way to behave in each others company.

Snuggle time with the cat

Tipping the scale

Written by: Samantha Haines
Registered Animal Health Technologist

As a society we are trained from a young age to watch our weight.  We are constantly bombarded by ads, supermodels and movie stars.  Many of us might even be on the Atkins diet, weight watchers, or other diet/excercise programs. While we are counting each calorie that we reach for, we are tossing treats to our pets without a thought as to how this might affect our best friend.

Many times I find myself saying "Buster is overweight," and the owner will always have some excuse to explain why he might be that way.  "Oh he just filling out," "Thats just his breed," or "He's just fluffy."  I'm sorry... filling out what?  Supersize my Yorkie?  Obesity is just as real for them as it is for you and me, and until we can accept and recognize obesity in our pets, we can't help them.

So how do we know if Buster is actually overweight?  How can we possibly know, when a dog can come in every size imaginable? Each patient is scored on a scale from 1-9 or 1-5, regardless of breed, size and weight.

 

Get yourself accustomed to this chart, and know what to look for. An ideal dog/cat is a 3/5 or  4-5/9 Be honest with Buster and yourself. You are not doing him any favors by sugar coating the truth. 

So why do we care so much about obesity?  We estimate that 60-70 % of our patients are overweight.  Obesity leads to the same things that it does in people.  Heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, arthritis, pain, reduced mobility and a decreased quality of life, need I say more?

Weight loss in our pets can be challenging, especially with cats.  Try telling your cat to get some excercise.  I am sure that will go over well!  Together through nutrition, excercise and veterinary care we can help your pet shed those extra pounds.

Your veterinarian will help decide if there are any underlying conditions that might be contributing to weight gain (hypothyroidism, cushings disease, tumors etc.), and other medical conditions that need to be taken into consideration when selecting a weight loss diet.  We can then help you to find a diet that might be a suitable solution for weight loss for your pet.  Our goal is not to starve your pet, or deprive him of nutrients, but to put him on a controlled weight loss program based on nutrition and science. 

Our Veterinary Technicians are trained in canine and feline nutrition and can assist you in making good choices for your pet.  Please call the office to book a Nutritional Consultation for your pet today.

How do I know when it is time to say goodbye?

This is always a very difficult question.  The choice of euthanasia is a difficult one, but can also be one of the kindest desicions we make for our furry little friends.  "How do you know when it is time?" is a question that I hear on a daily basis in my job.   The veterinarian and the staff can assist you in making an objective assessment of the patient, but it ultimatley comes down to you.  Your endpoint is going to be different from your neighbours and your friends.  So how do we make this objective assessment?

Dr. Alice Villalobos, the veterinarian who started Pawspice, a quality of life program for terminal pets, has published a scoring system for life quality called The HHHHHMM scale. The letters stand for: Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More Good Days than Bad.

Quality of Life Scale: The HHHHHMM Scale
Pet caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine the success of pawspice care. Score patients using a scale of 1 to 10.  (Where 10 is a healthy animal)
Score	Criterion
1-10	HURT - Adequate pain control, including breathing ability, is first and foremost on the scale. Is the pet's pain successfully managed? Is oxygen necessary?
1-10	HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the patient require a feeding tube?
1-10	HYDRATION - Is the patient dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough, use subcutaneous fluids once or twice daily to supplement fluid intake.
1-10	HYGIENE - The patient should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after elimination. Avoid pressure sores and keep all wounds clean.
1-10	HAPPINESS - Does the pet express joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to things around him or her (family, toys, etc.)? Is the pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or afraid? Can the pet's bed be close to the family activities and not be isolated?
1-10	MOBILITY - Can the patient get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or mechanical help (e.g., a cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a walk? Is the pet having seizures or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable to amputation, yet an animal who has limited mobility but is still alert and responsive can have a good quality of life as long as caregivers are committed to helping the pet.)
1-10	MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD - When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware the end is near. The decision needs to be made if the pet is suffering. If death comes peacefully and painlessly, that is okay.
*TOTAL	*A total over 35 points represents acceptable life quality

Adapted by Villalobos, A.E., Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN, 09/2004, for Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology Honoring the Human-Animal Bond, by Blackwell Publishing, Table 10.1, released 2006.

How is euthanasia performed?
Euthanasia is performed using an overdose of an anesthetic drug.  This drug is injected into the vein, so it is necessary to place an IV catheter.  We will carefully do this with the least amount of stress possible for you and your beloved pet.  Should the patient stress or struggle the Veterinarian may give a sedative.  Once you are ready, the veterinarian will inject the drug through the IVport.  This overdose will stop her heart quickly.  The veterinarian will confirm that there is no heart beat using a stethoscope.  You are always welcome to hold her in your arms during the final moments if you wish.  After the procedure you may stay as long as you wish to say your final goodbye.

If you prefer, this service can be done at your house, or in your pet's favorite place under the apple tree. Please call to discuss this with a staff member.

What happens after the procedure?
You have 3 options for your pet's aftercare.  You can have her cremated, either privately or in a group. A private cremation means that he will go in alone and her ashes will be returned to you in a beautiful urn. You may also choose to bury her on your property. Please ensure the grave is deep enough to prevent other animals from digging her up.

For more information about cremation please visit Until We Meet Again Pet Memorial Center

If you are considering euthanasia, discuss your pet's condition with your veterinarian.

Should Pitbulls Be Banned in BC?

By: Samantha Haines
Reg. Animal Health Technologist

 
Before I even start, I would like to make one thing very clear: The following is my own personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Sechelt Animal Hospital.

 There was an editorial in The Province today entitled “It’s time to ban Pit Bulls in B.C.”.  The opinion of the author was that B.C. should follow Ontario’s lead in breed banning.  The author mentions an attack on a little girl named Emma-Leigh, and my heart goes out to her family.

I don’t pretend to know exactly what went down that day with Emma, but in the article it says that the dog was owned by a neighbor, and that everyone was together at a BBQ. I know that even the best of dogs can become agitated when confronted with children, delicious food and lots of people, especially if it’s all at once; given the circumstances, I am certainly not placing blame on anyone. Now don't get me wrong, in light of what happened I agree that this particular dog should be put down, but is banning the breed really going to solve anything?

I know of a few people that have moved to BC specifically because of the Pit Bull ban in Ontario. If we start banning the breed here, we are going to lose more people to other provinces, particularly young people, which (according to the article) are the primary owner of the breed, and we all know that BC is drastically lacking young families (especially around the Sunshine Coast).

I am a veterinary professional, I have never been bitten by a pitty, and in fact I prefer working with Pit Bulls over Chihuahuas or Dachshunds (aka: the Land Sharks)! At the end of the day, I treat every dog that I see, in or out of my job, with caution, because they are ALL potentially dangerous; however, they also ALL have an equal potential to be wonderful.  

Pit Bulls are generally gentle creatures and have a high tolerance for pain, but when and if they bite they can do a lot of damage. True, their jaws are stronger than most breeds, and they are bred to fight, but they are bred to fight other dogs, not their owners. There are many other breeds that have been bred for fighting and/or taking down their prey - Karelian Bear Dog, Akita, Rottweiler and even the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Should we start banning these breeds by association?

Then there’s the child-dog dynamic. This can be a wonderful relationship, but the fact is that 73% of dog bite injuries involve children (regardless of breed). A child and a dog should never be left alone together. I don't care if your Aunt says its ok, or your dog has never had a problem with kids. Kids move fast, they are not always aware of the things in their surroundings, they are even less aware of canine body language and behavior, and children can be unpredictable (just like dogs).  Should we never allow our children to experience the joy that having a dog can bring? Of course not, but just as we teach our dogs to play nice with children, we must also teach our children to play nice with dogs.  This involves teaching them about body language, warning signs, and appropriate responses.

In the online poll this article presents, the public is asked to vote “Yes” or “No” on whether or not B.C. should ban Pit Bulls. 60% of readers are saying "NO" to breed bans. This, in my opinion, is not a wide enough margin to draw conclusive results.  The author talks about how “Pit Bull owners say many things in defense of their dogs”, but fails to mention the people who speak against the breed based on hearsay and myth.

There are only bad owners not bad dogs right? I have heard this many times, and I agree to some extent, but, as with most things in life, there are two sides to every story.  Owners do need to take more responsibility for their dogs, and learn to seriously evaluate if a breed is right for their lifestyle and personality; for example, a young person who has had no experience with dogs should not be getting a Pit Bull just because they like the look of the dog, or just because they like the breed.  However, a young person with both dog and breed experience, who has a good understanding of dog behavior and appropriate training methods would be a great Pit Bull owner.  Unfortunately, people are not always smart about the decisions they make, and all too often this ends in disaster for the animals involved.  By the same token, I believe that any dog has the ability to seriously harm a person under the right circumstances. Even the most well trained dog is just that... a dog. Their basic instincts remain unchanged, and we cannot expect them to be little humans in fur coats.

Why must we all feel the need to take our pets to public events where they may be put in a circumstance that they are uncomfortable with? I am the first one to admit that my dogs are part of my family; they were even included in my wedding ceremony. Yet, I know my dog’s limitations: I know that they are not comfortable with parades, fireworks, and other large gatherings. It’s not that I feel that they would hurt someone, but I can tell that they are out of their comfort zone, and are not enjoying themselves. Now many dogs do, but it is up to the owner to be able to read your dog’s body language and speak for your dog. Your dog trusts you and your leadership, therefore you should never put your dog in a situation where he/she would feel uncomfortable or threatened.

The article says "watch a dog park clear" when a Pit Bull arrives on the scene. This says absolutely nothing about the dog; however it paints a very clear picture on society’s perception of the breed. It just means that we have been made to believe that these dogs are dangerous. I have a German Shepard, so I often get a similar reaction from the poorly informed public.  People and their dogs cross the street so they don't have to be near her, but I often find that both frustrating and enjoyable. On the plus side, I don't have people begging me to pet her, but on the negative I feel unfairly judged.

IF the breed is to be at fault, perhaps we can make the breeding and ownership of these dogs more difficult. The people who buy these dogs need to understand that their dog can be both a dangerous weapon AND a beloved family pet, and as such should be treated that way.  Instead of banning the breed, make spaying and neutering mandatory, as well as training in obedience and body language for both owner and dog.  Breeders should be regularly evaluated according to strict standards, and dangerously aggressive animals should be culled from breeding programs.  Maybe this should be the norm for all dogs regardless of breed.

Links: Editorial in The Province

Karen Pryor Children and Dogs

Video for kids Part 1, Part 2

Dog bite support group

Anesthesia Free Dentistry: Friend or Foe?

By: Samantha Haines
Reg. AHT


I was recently asked this question in an exam room by a concerned pet owner "Why can't we do anesthesia-free dentistry on my pet?"

Anesthesia-free dentistry or more appropriately called Non Professional Dental Scaling (NPDS) is becoming more common in our pets due to money constraints and anesthesia concerns.  The American Veterinary Dental College states clearly that anyone providing dental services other than a licensed veterinarian, or a supervised and trained veterinary technician, is practising veterinary
medicine without a license and shall be subject to criminal charges.   Unfortunately many grooming facilities and NPDS clinics are providing this service as a way to increase revenue.

There are many reasons why NPDS is not an appropriate treatment for your pet.

Safety - As you can imagine, our pets do not like to sit still very long.  Even our best patients do not enjoy a thorough dental examination let alone a scale and polish.  Scaling below the gumline is uncomfortable and any movement from the patient can cause damage to the tissues.  Working this closely to an animal's mouth poses health risks for the people involved.

NPDS is purely cosmetic - A professional dental cleaning involves scaling both above and below the gum line, followed by polishing. The most important area to focus on when cleaning the teeth is the area within the gingival pocket.  This is the area between the root and the gum tissue. It is impossible to reach all these areas on our canine and feline patients without anesthesia.  Scaling the tartar from the crowns is purely for esthetic purposes, and leaves active disease in your pet.

By ignoring the disease below the gumline we are doing our patients a great unkindness by allowing the disease to run rampid though our pet's bloodstreams affecting all organs in the body including kidneys, liver and heart.

This link is an excellent article with detailed pictures that clearly shows that teeth are like icebergs, and what may look good on the surface, may not be the case under water.
http://veterinarydentistry.net/blog/2010/12/20/anesthesia-free-dentistry-dogs-pet/

American Veterinary Dental College Position Statement

So lets talk about money...
Some compaines will provide NPDS for your pet at an average cost of $200.  They are only looking at the outer surface of the teeth, and only what they can see on the crown or surface of the tooth (ie. nothing below the gumline).  So lets call this 25% clean!  Here at Sechelt Animal Hospital we include pre-anesthesic blood panel, inhalant anesthesia, pain control, and a complete scale and polish which is 100% clean for a grand total of $330 including taxes.  You tell me which is more bang for your buck!

Anesthesia is never without risk, but we are committed to providing your pet with the safest possible plan.  For more on anesthesia please read our article titled "Anesthesia - Is it Safe."

It is important that regular dental hygiene is practised at home and professional dental cleanings are performed yearly to prevent oral disease.

Where's Fido?

Pet Identification

Every pet should have some sort of identification.   After all, pet identification is in place not for everyday life, but for those unforeseen events that result in lost pets.  For the time the wind blows the fence down and the dog runs scared from the yard, or a guest leaves the front door open long enough for the wouldn’t-survive-more-than-30-seconds-in-the-wild indoor only Persian to sneak out.  Not to mention the natural disasters like floods and forest fires that send communities into chaos and force pet owners to abandon their pets in their neighborhoods or at temporary shelters as they run for their lives.   As a former animal shelter employee and “lifer” Animal Health Technician, I have re-united many a lost pet thanks to good identification.

In this blog post I will summarize the ways in which you can identify your pet to better help you decide which one will work best for you.

Pet Tags

Pet tags are a cheap, simple, and highly effective way to identify your pet.  They can be purchased at many pet stores and engraving facilities, often for around $10-$20.  They are very visible and if you put your address and phone number on the tag, whoever picks up your lost pet can very simply return it to you, often bypassing the animal shelter.  You can also have extra information engraved on the tag if your pet has a critical medical condition like “Addisons: needs daily medication” or “diabetic”.  That way if your pet is found ill, the finder will know to seek veterinary attention.

An alternative to the tag is to simply write your phone number on your pet’s collar in permanent marker.  I’ve seen this on some of my patients and I think it brilliant!  And it’s free!

The down side of pet ID Tags is that they require that your pet be wearing his/her collar.  This can be difficult with cats.  And it seems that many dogs go missing right after a bath, or the same day that the collar went in the laundry.

Tattoos

ID Tattoos are different than a breeder tattoo.  Breeders will often tattoo the belly (sometimes the ear) of each puppy in the litter to identify them and help with registration.  These tattoos often fade and become distorted as the puppy grows and are difficult to trace when a pet is lost.

 ID Tattoos are a series of letter and numbers placed in the right ear in either green or black ink.  They cost about $35.  ID tattoos are placed by veterinary clinics usually at the time of spay or neuter.  Tattoos require that a pet be under anaesthetic.  The CVBC (the veterinary governing body) has a system of letters and numbers assigned to veterinary clinics so an animal will always be traced back to the clinic that did the tattoo.  The clinic keeps records of these tattoos and can then trace the tattoo back to the owner of the pet.  This is why it is so important to keep your address and phone number current with the vet clinic that tattooed your pets. 

The system of numbers and letters used is unique to each province.  There is no nation-wide tattoo system.  If you move to another province or country with a tattooed pet, you may want to consider getting another form of identification.

Microchips

A microchip is a very small device (about the size of a grain of rice) that can be injected under the skin with a large bore needle.  It does not require anaesthetic and can be done right in the exam room.  Contrary to common belief, the microchip does not have any source of power and does not emit any radiation or electrical signal.  After placement, the microchip is read with a battery powered scanner that is waved over the pet, much the same way that the bar code on our groceries is read at the checkout.

The readout on the scanner is a series of numbers and letters.  Animal hospital and shelter staff have access to information that helps them determine which company the chip belongs to.  They can then contact that company with the microchip number and get the owners contact information. 

The advantage of this system is that you can store unlimited amounts information about your pet in the microchip company’s system.  Pet insurance info, vaccine info, medical info, all available to the shelter or vet clinic even if you aren’t!  And most companies make updating your information very easy via a 1-800 number or website.  At Sechelt Animal Hospital we use chips from M4SID which allows you to update and change information as much as you want for no additional fees.  The cost of the chip is roughly $40 and that includes a lifetime registration.  Beware of companies that require a yearly fee to maintain registration or ones that charge you to change your information.

The only downside of microchips is that they are not easily visible to the finder of the pet and that the pet must be taken to an animal hospital or shelter to have the chip read.   If your pet is microchipped you may want to add another piece of ID like a collar tag.