My Pet World: A pet-friendly fountain beats sipping from the fish tank

Q: Is it OK for Diego to drink from the fish tank? -- C.H., via cyberspace

A: It's a mystery as to whether Diego is a dog or cat, but emergency veterinarian Dr. Heather Loenser, of Lebanon, NJ, can offer advice because, for the most part, it doesn't matter.

"A salt water tank might be more of an issue, depending on much water Diego is drinking," she says. "There's no nice way to say this, but there's fish poop in there, and even filtered tanks will have some bacteria. Again, it depends on how much Diego drinks, but it's certainly not like drinking bottled water."

Loenser, a board member of the American Animal Hospital Association, also wonders about the welfare of the fish.

"While there's likely nothing in the mouth of Diego that will cause harm to the fish, it's got to be terrifying to watch a predator sink his mouth into the tank," she says. "And maybe for good reason, unless you have piranha. And if you have piranha, I worry about Diego."

There's also a chance that Diego could accidentally (or not so accidentally) swallow a fish, or knock over the fish tank.

If Diego is attracted to the moving water, it would be far safer for all involved to buy him a drinking fountain for pets (available wherever pet products are sold).

----

Q: I've had my Shih Tzu's teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year since we rescued her several years ago from a puppy mill. However, it seems like there's tartar on Ginger's teeth again by the next day. At first, we brushed her teeth daily, but to be honest, we just don't do this much anymore. We do give Ginger dental treats. Since she's now 10 years old, we don't want to have her anesthetized as often for teeth-cleanings. Any advice? -- C.H., Chicago, IL

A: Small dogs tend to have more dental problems than larger breeds. Also, sadly, puppy mill dogs often grow up eating a nutritionally impoverished diet, which may lead to problems much worse than what you're describing.

"Individual genetics may play a role in terms of why some dogs accumulate plaque and tartar so quickly and others do not," says Dr. Andrew Eschner, Northeast Regional Director, Field Veterinary Services, at Merial, Gansevoort, NY.

Eschner celebrates your effort; clearly doing the best you can for Ginger.

"While brushing is the gold standard, only a small percentage (of dog owners) do it regularly," he said.

Buying dental treats is a good idea, but what are you buying? In some cases, manufacturers simply recognize a need and market products which might not be as beneficial as claimed. One way to check products is to verify if they are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC): http://www.vohc.org/.

Your timing couldn't be better, as Merial has recently released the OraVet Dental Hygiene Chew, a tasty, once-a-day, dual-action chew for dogs, only available through veterinarians. The product, which most dogs love, releases a dental compound called delmopinol. The compound interferes with plaque formation, throughout the mouth, acting like a plaque-reducing "mouthwash." In addition, when dogs bite into the chew, there's a scrubbing action, like brushing, working in parallel with delmopinol.

Eschner rattles off all sorts of data supporting how the product lessens plaque and calculus. His favorite: "There's a 53 percent reduction of halitosis. That bad breath is bad for a reason, and it can affect the human/animal bond. Most important, a healthier mouth means a healthier pet."

One outcome may be fewer dentals. In all honestly, Ginger may require as many professional dental treatments throughout her lifetime, but the condition of her teeth and gums going in won't be quite so bad.

(OraVet is not yet VOHC accepted, as it's too new)

----

Q: The spot-on I've been using for years on my dogs to stop fleas and ticks has failed. My veterinarian is suggesting I've somehow failed, but I'm not sure how this is my fault. No matter, he's stuck on the idea that only one product works. What should I use on my dogs? -- F.G., Navarre, FL

A: Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Michael Dryden, distinguished professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, says that statistically, veterinary product failures are often human failures -- either people forget to use the product or don't use it as directed. In some cases, owners believe their dog swallowed a chewable when the pet actually spit it out or threw it up.

"It's important to understand that veterinary (recommended) products do work, but the right product for your home may be dependent on where you live, and also your pets' lifestyles," Dryden says. "So, in fact, I bet you're doing nothing wrong. In any case, there's new technology available. Comfortis and Nexgard are monthly chewables, with excellent residual speed of kill, which is how rapid the kill rate is even after the product was given some time ago. The same is true for Bravecto, also a chewable, which has the added bonus of giving the pet 12 weeks of protection."

Dryden also likes Vectra 3D, a monthly spot on, which can potentially deter fleas and ticks from getting onto your pet in the first place, but kills them quickly if they do attach.

Feel free to show this column to your veterinarian. It's exciting that there are so many flea/tick products available today.

----

Q: My 8-month-old kitten has an odd habit of carrying around what we call her "blanky." She sleeps with it and carries it around the house, purring all the time. Is she neurotic? -- P.N., Charlotte, NC

A: Your cat is like Linus from Charlie Brown. Her blanky provides comfort. Or perhaps she just likes the feel of the warm, soft fabric. Then, again, she could just be having fun dragging it around the house; it might be a little game.

She may grow out of her blanket attachment, or not. In any case, you should be grateful. It sounds like your kitty is helping to dust your house.

========