“My pet doesn’t need year-round protection from heartworms, fleas and ticks.”

As you know, a common misconception is that flea and tick prevention isn’t necessary during the colder months, and many pet owners aren’t aware of the serious danger of heartworm disease. You are in a position to properly educate your clients on the dangers of neglecting preventive treatments in addition to guiding them through what treatments are best for their pets.

Heartworms

Pet owners may not realize how extensive the danger of heartworms can be to both their health and the health of their pets. It’s important to understand that these parasites impact pets and people. By preventing intestinal parasites in cats and dogs, you also prevent people from contracting potentially serious diseases such as ocular larval migrans and neural larval migrans.

A domestic animal can contract heartworms from non-domestic animals. For example, in Phoenix, there is a high coyote population, and coyotes are a significant potential reservoir for heartworm disease. Additionally, infected animals brought in from other endemic parts of the country are another potential threat. Let your clients know about the extensive and painstaking treatment process once a pet has contracted heartworm disease. The outcome will likely be a pet owner who is compliant with preventative treatment.

Fleas

One of the most common misconceptions about flea prevention treatment is the presumption that when fleas aren’t visible, treatment can be discontinued. According to Byron L. Blagburn, MS, PhD, the number of fleas visible on a pet represents only 5 percent of the total of fleas both on the pet and in the environment.

Dr. Byron conducted a study in 2009 to trace the susceptibility of fleas to modern flea control products. As expected, his results showed that the greatest number of flea samples could be found during the months of August, September and October. While his research shows that the number of fleas from December-April is lower, this actually only reflects the rate at which fleas are reproducing during that time. The reality is simple, fleas are always present, and therefore, preventative treatment is always necessary.

Ticks

Tick-borne diseases are a very present year-round threat across the country. They’re found in every state, and the threat continues to spread. Tick-control products and Lyme vaccinations are the best form of protection, but there are currently no vaccines for ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis.

It’s important to remind your clients that regular testing, tick preventatives, regularly checking pets and promptly and correctly removing ticks is extremely important for early prevention, detection and improved outcomes.  If a tick is removed within 24 hours of biting, risk of infection drops dramatically. 

“Pets don’t need their teeth cleaned regularly.”

According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMA), pets should have their teeth checked by a veterinarian at least once per year. Your clients certainly understand the importance of their own dental health but may not realize that their pets need the same attention to preventive dental care. Remind them that those annual checkups are the only way to catch early signs of a problem and keep their pets’ mouths healthy. Additionally, educate them on signs of dental issues that might be missed simply because pets can’t tell their owners when their teeth hurt. Remind them that signs of dental issues include:

• Bad breath
• Broken/loose teeth
• Retained baby teeth
• Tooth discoloration
• Abnormal chewing or drooling
• Refusal to eat or reduction in appetite
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling in the face around the mouth
• Pain in or around the mouth

Common dental problems include gingivitis, periodontitis, pyorrhea, caries, plaque and tartar. Pet owners are likely aware of these more obvious dangers of oral health problems; however, most do not know of the dangers of toxins from oral disease spreading throughout the body.  They do not realize that disease of the mouth can travel into their pet’s bloodstream and result in damage to the kidneys, heart and brain.

“Human food is great for pets.”

A common misconception for pet owners is that what is good for them to eat is also good for their pets. Most know that bones can be a choking hazard and cheese is hard to digest. However, The American Kennel Club (AKC) provides a detailed list of human foods and food ingredients that many pet owners do not know are toxic for their pets. Among them are:

1. Bread. Bread is relatively harmless when given to pets in small amounts, but even healthy breads, such as whole grain, provide no health benefits. Breads containing raisins and/or cinnamon can actually be harmful.
2. Chocolate. Dogs, in particular, should never eat chocolate. It contains methylxanthines, a substance that is very toxic to dogs and can stop their metabolic process.
3. Eggs. Eggs are safe for dogs, but they must be fully cooked.
4. Garlic. Garlic, like onions, leeks and chives, are part of the Allium family and are toxic to dogs.
5. Ice cream. This is not commonly known. In fact, several fast food restaurants offer cute little doggie-sized cups of ice cream for beloved pets. However, cats and dogs do not digest dairy easily, and it is best to avoid feeding it to them.
6. Macadamia nuts. These are one of the most poisonous foods for dogs. They can cause vomiting, increased body temperature, inability to walk and lethargy.

Cat owners have a few common misconceptions that are particular to their pets. Milk and tuna are culturally understood as the perfect meal for a cat. However, most pet owners do not know that milk is bad for most cats. According to the Feline Nutrition Foundation, most cats are lactose intolerant. For many cats, drinking cow milk causes vomiting, gas, stomach cramps and discomfort. For your clients that insist that their cats love milk, suggest goat milk, which is easier to digest and significantly lower in lactose.

Ultimately, as the veterinarian you are the best person to make dietary suggestions for your client. They rely on your expertise and trust your advice. Be sure to ask your clients questions about their pets’ regular diets and give yourself the opportunity to make suggestions.

Contact your Covetrus North America representative for more information at 855.724.3461.

Sources: 

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Ocular-Larva-Migrans-Symptoms-and-Causes.aspx

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/heartworm-prevention-questionable-zero-mosquito-factor

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Pet-Dental-Care.aspx

https://www.centrestreetanimalhospital.com/the-dangers-of-poor-dental-hygiene-in-pets/

http://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/natural-foods/human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/case-year-round-flea-control