Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Save Your Life: Get a Cat

A new study suggests that cat owners are less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than people who don't own cats.

A new study from the University of Minnesota says that feline owners had a 30% lower risk of death from a heart attack than those without a cat. Dog owners, however, showed the same rates of death.

We aren't ones to jump on a possible post hoc, ergo propter hoc fallacy, but I think we all know that cats just make life that much better.

And, I'm sure dogs are of great comfort to lots of people. We would never suggest that owning a dog is risky behavior. Some people like to bungee jump and skydive. There's all sorts in this world.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Yelp!

Scottsdale Cat Clinic - Scottsdale, AZ

We made it on to Yelp. Thanks for the two reviews you guys gave us. We're glad you enjoyed coming to see us. We talked about that gymnastic cat for the rest of the week.

And the rest of you...if you liked us, we wouldn't be irritated if you raved about us on this and every other website that will have you.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Dental Health Month

Save 10% on Dental Treatments in February

It's the month-long celebration everyone anticipates. Well, probably not, but February is Dental Health Month for your cat. Now is a good time to schedule your family feline for a cleaning. It's easy to overlook our cats' teeth. And for some of us, we'd just as soon stay away from those pointy fangs. But good dental health is essential for the overall health and comfort of your cat. Give your cat a bright smile in February, and we'll give you 10% off the dental treatment. That includes x-rays, cleaning, anesthesia, and any teeth extractions we might recommend.

Call the clinic at 480-970-1175 to schedule your cat's dental treatment.

Check Out That Bright Feline Smile

Good oral health care can increase your cat's life span. Gingivitis and dental lesions can, of course, cause pain and discomfort for your cat, but it's not just your cat's teeth that are at risk. Inflammation and infection of the gums can lead to heart, kidney, and liver problems as bacteria and toxins travel through the bloodstream and to your cat's organs. 70% of cats have gum disease by the time they are three years old. Left untreated, many pets suffer silently and age prematurely. Preventing and treating dental disease will keep you cat healthier and improve his or her quality of life.

Good dental health requires professional cleaning and consistent home care.

If tartar and gingivitis (common problems in cats) are already present, your cat will need a professional cleaning under anesthesia. This includes both a visual exam and a complete set of x-rays of the teeth. These x-rays allow us to see any hidden problems as well as enabling us to plan the most effective treatment. The teeth are then cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler and polished.

Frequently, we will see lesions on the teeth that are painful for the cat and can lead to infection. For the benefit of the cat, it is necessary to remove these teeth.

At the end of the procedure, the mouth is rinsed and a sealant called Oravet is applied to every tooth, preventing plaque from quickly returning.

At home, you can keep your cat's teeth healthy and clean by feeding them high-quality food, dental chews and even brushing their teeth. We can suggest a number of products that can make it easier to keep your cat's teeth pearly white.

Rinses, Gels, Chews and Brushes

The Scottsdale Cat Clinic offers a variety of products to help you keep your cat's teeth clean. At the end of each dental cleaning, we apply a sealant called Oravet to your cat's teeth. We also offer a home care version of this same sealant that you can apply to your cat's teeth on a weekly basis. The waxy substance helps keep those teeth free of plaque and the buildup of tartar.

But it doesn't stop there. We also have gels that reduce gum inflammation and help with mouth odors--a plus for a species fond of fish-based foods. Special dental diets from Hills, Purina and Royal Canin exercise the teeth and are formulated to scrape plaque away. Dental chews also exercise the teeth and help fight bacteria. We even carry cat toothbrushes and toothpaste. And if your cat isn't the sort that will take to brushing, we have rinses that you can add to your cat's water dish.

You've got a lot of options for keeping those teeth in good shape. Let us help you find what works for you and your pet.

Feline Dental Health Websites

Brushing Your Cat's Teeth

Pet Dentistry

More and More Pet Dentistry

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Dr. Jane Brunt and the CATalyst Summit

According to an American Veterinary Medical Association recent survey, the percentage of cat-owning households that received NO veterinary care was 36.3%. That's over twice as many as dog-owning households. In response to this alarming statistic, the American Association of Feline Practitioners is launching the CATalyst Summit to promote the health and well-being of cats. Topics discussed will include why cats' needs are going unmet and how existing stereotypes regarding cats can be rectified.

Dr. Jane Brunt, past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, spoke with PetLife Radio about the upcoming CATalyst Summit and cat care.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Super Bowl

The hubbub has finally died down, and all those crazy Northeasterners have shipped back to the cold and snowy East Coast. We had some fun wandering around, seeing how the runaway freight train remodeled our downtown.

The game was enjoyable to watch, but when are we going to get a Super Bowl featuring the Bengals against the Lions? Or how about the Jaguars versus the Panthers? Now that would be a Super Bowl worth watching. None of these mediocre names like "Giants" or "Patriots." More cats in the NFL!

And not so many birds.