New York Lifestyles Magazine - June 2016

Keep on Truckin’ Inactivity has adverse effects on your pet. Arthritis is one of the top diseases that afflicts aging dogs.

While we can’t reverse the changes inside a pet’s joints easily, we can support the muscles to keep them strong.

Controlled brisk exercise is the best way to safely strengthen muscles. My favorite activities for my pet patients are: • Climbing stairs • Walking up and down hills or ramps • Swimming in clean bodies of water One of the top injuries I see in the ER is a torn knee ligament, similar to that sustained by athletes.

No matter what treatment is done, arthritis will ultimately result in that knee. To decrease the chance of knee trauma, avoid activities that cause rapid jumping or twisting: • Jumping from deck stairs • Running for a frisbee • Chasing squirrels Don’t Give Your Pet’s Teeth the Brush Off Imagine the condition of your teeth if you never brushed them or visited the dentist. That’s the sad reality for most of our pets. By the time a dog is three years of age, he’s likely to show signs of dental disease. Over time, tartar and bacteria accumulate around the teeth and gums causing: • Stinky breath • Painful toothaches • Potential heart and kidney infections Regular at-home brushing and dental cleanings by the veterinarian can reverse many of these problems. Find a veterinarian who adheres to the recommendations in the American Animal Hospital Association’s Dental Care Guidelines. There are also foods and treats specifically designed to help keep your pet’s teeth clean. Look for products with the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) Seal of Approval as these are proven to decrease tartar and plaque accumulation..

Our Pets...Ourselves Caring for our pets has added health benefits for us as well.

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) compared pet owners to non-pet owners and found that pet owners: • Are more likely to exercise and be in better shape • Have lower blood pressure and a better cholesterol profile • Have a lower risk of dying from a heart attack • Experience less loneliness and depression The Fountain of Youth may not be on the map, but it is certainly at the end of your leash. Take the walk together and both of you will feel the spray.

To help insure you’re getting the best veterinary care, choose a practice accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). These hospitals are evaluated regularly on nearly 900 standards of veterinary care. Find one near you by going to AAHA.org and keying in your zipcode in the AAHA Hospital Locator.

About Dr. Heather Loenser For almost a decade, Dr. Heather Loenser has comforted pets in their time of crisis as an emergency veterinarian. Outside the hospital, she supports her profession with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) as the staff Veterinary Advisor in Professional and Public Affairs. A sought-after guest on TV and radio, she shares her expertise on the Today Show, Fox News, Dr. Oz and local television in the New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. area. She loves nothing more than hanging out with her rescued dog, Calvin.

JUNE 2016 | NEW YORK LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE | 93