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it discount dental care for pets

Dear Editor:

Re: Shannon Humphreys’
June 30 “pets and vets” col-
umn.

She couched on many issues
that concern pet owners and
also noted the importance of
supporting charitable groups.

As a veterinarian, however, I
feel that some of the points in
her article should be ciaritied. 1
have no knowledge of any of
the specific cases to which she
referred, so | am discussing the
situations in general.

As Ms. Humphreys noted,
veterinarians do their best with
each case and the outcome is
not always positive despite all
efforts. The veterinarian, how-

_ ever, is usually in a position to
discuss various treauments, and
should outline associated costs
and possible outcomes so the

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pet's family is able to make
decisions without feeling pres-
sured emotionally or financially.

Locally, 1 feel privileged to
be in the company of many
excellent members of the vet-
erinary profession.

With regard to the care of a
cat or dog that has been hit by
a car, a three-day stay at a ver-
erinary clinic would suggest
severe injuries. As with
humans, one must assess, diag-
nose and treat any external and
internal injuries as well as deal
with the life-threatening shock
often associated with such trau-
ma. A major factor throughout
is to ensure that the pet is not
in pain, and as such it is often
necessary to keep the pet calm
and relatively immobile, with
fluids and pain killers adminis-
tered intravenously. These are

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difficult criteria for pet owners
to follow at home.

With regard to dental care,
this is not simply a matter of
good breath. One can also con-
sider the human situation
where tooth root abscesses are
a source of great discomfort
and important contributors to
more chronic conditions such
as heart and kidney disease.

The tremendous pain many
of us have experienced with
such infection, and with’
chipped or lost teeth often goes
unrecognized in the family pet
unol behaviour indicates that
the pain is unbearable.

With regard to fleas, along
with the associated discomfort
of constant. scratching, there
are often secondary problems
such as tapeworm infestation
and “hot spots.” There now

exist sefe, effective and relative-
ly inexpensive options that
remove the need to fumigate
the house and car.

It’s true that some pets, like
some people, have more than
their fair share of health prob-
Jems which result in’ great
stresses for many pet owners.

Unfertunately, however,
Ms. Humphreys’ article implies
that dental care among, other
veterinary treatments are frivo-
lous,

As the veterinarian for the
West Vancouver SPCA I
believe that having given a pet a
home, it is important to main-
tain their health and happiness
given the important roie pets
play in our homes and families.
Chris Booth, D.V.M.
Ambleside Animal Hospital
West Vancouver

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