FEATURE/Man's Best Friend Shouldn't Have the World's Worst Breath; More Than Unpleasant Smelly Dog Breath is a Sign of Something Serious

"In dogs, an unhealthy mouth usually means an unhealthy body,"
says Jan Bellows, DVM and owner of Hometown Animal Hospital and Dental
Clinic in Weston, Fla. However, with this
increased lifespan comes an increase in the types of ailments that can afflict
senior pets.

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MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE:
http: //www. DENVER, Thanks to advances in veterinary
medicine, pets are living longer than ever before .

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For pet care information or
a referral to an AAHA hospital, pet owners can visit the AAHA website at
http://www.

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For more information, contact your veterinarian or visit
www.com

Note to editors: February is National Pet Dental Health Month. To assist veterinary hospitals in offering optimal care for
senior pets, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released the
AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.

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"The AAHA Senior
Care Guidelines provide a framework for veterinarians to provide optimal care
for all senior pets. Recommended
laboratory tests include a complete blood count, urinalysis, blood-chemistry
panel and fecal examination for healthy dogs and cats.
"It's critical for pet owners and veterinarians to work together as a team
to develop a health plan, including appropriate diet and exercise, that is
best for their senior pet," says Dr.

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Additional professional photos available upon request.

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February is National Pet Dental
Health Month, and veterinarians nationwide are hoping that dog owners
will take the opportunity to start caring for their dogs' teeth. "They need an easy alternative."
Bellows applies the gel on his four dogs while reading the Sunday
newspaper. Your veterinarian can help you
determine what stage of life your furry friend is in. The AAHA Senior Care
Guidelines recommend that healthy senior dogs and cats visit the veterinarian
every six months for an exam and laboratory testing.

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It's
invisible once applied and compatible with brushing, dental diets and
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When dogs and cats enter their senior years, regular health examinations
are more important than ever to catch and delay the onset or progress of
disease and for the early detection of health problems .
Established in 1933, the association is well known among veterinarians for its
high standards for hospitals and pet health care.

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----Smelly doggy breath
isn't just unpleasant - it's a sign of something serious: gum disease."
At work and home, Bellows uses a new system from Merial, maker of
FRONTLINE and HEARTGARD, called OraVet.

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Striking 85 percent of dogs by age four, it's the most frequently
diagnosed health problem in pets. Aja, DVM, AAHA president.

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It can even shorten your dog's life span.businesswire.

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The next step: cost-effective, at-home care.

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Business Editors/Consumer Products Writers
FEATURE..
"Owners have good intentions but just aren't brushing," states
Bellows.

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. "Plaque causes gum disease, leading to
halitosis, a sore mouth , loss of teeth, or infections in the heart,
liver and kidney. After an in-clinic teeth
cleaning , sealant is applied along the gums, creating an invisible
barrier. "As a result,
dogs' breath is less objectionable. Aja.

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oravet.
Veterinarians make use of laboratory tests to detect signs of sickness in
pets.

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization
of more than 33,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals.

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Sites whose primary purpose is to sell a product should be submitted to an appropriate category in shopping, though commercial sites with valuable informational content will be considered.

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Subtle changes in your pet's laboratory test results over the course of
his lifetime may signal the presence of an underlying disease.

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"OraVet , the first plaque prevention system, is clinically proven
to significantly reduce the formation of plaque," says Zack Mills, DVM
and executive director of Veterinary Services at Merial. "It's quick and easy, and their fresh breath assures me
they're healthy," he says.

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Senior Care Guidelines to Help Keep Aging Dogs and Cats in Tip-Top Shape

"Just as the health care needs of humans change as we age, the same
applies to pets," says Daniel S.

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DULUTH , Ga. Owners apply an
odorless and tasteless gel just once a week to the gum line.

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MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE:
http://www."
Bellows, one of 64 board-certified veterinary dentists in the
country, explains owners should care for dogs' teeth as they do their
own."
So when is a pet considered senior? Generally, smaller breeds of dogs
live longer than larger breeds and cats live longer than dogs . A cat or small
dog may be considered senior at 10-13 years, while a large dog may be
considered senior by the age of five.healthypet.

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Only 1 in 5 have ever attempted to brush their dog's teeth and
only 2 percent brush with enough frequency to maintain proper oral
health.