During the day a biofilm called ‘plaque’ forms on teeth. This film is soft enough to be easily scraped off, however it starts to harden within 48 hours and after about 3 days the plaque becomes dental calculus (tartar) and is difficult to remove.
Calculus or tartar is a form of hardened dental plaque. It is caused by the continual accumulation of minerals from saliva on plaque on the teeth. Its’ rough surface provides an ideal medium for further plaque formation, threatening the health of the gums. Brushing can remove the plaque, which the calculus forms on. However, once calculus has formed, it is too hard and firmly attached to be removed with a toothbrush and brushing.
Dental plaque and calculus formation can give rise to teeth and gum problems such as inflamed gums, infection and inflammation around the tooth roots.
Just like humans, pets need regular dental care at home. Dental health and preventative measures should ideally be discussed with our Vets (or Vet Nurses) when your pet is young. The ideal age to begin introducing home dental care to your pets is at 8-12 weeks of age, but with older pets it is never too late to start!
Cat teeth should be brushed at least twice weekly, however if you have time daily brushing is the best! The aim of daily teeth brushing is to remove the daily accumulation of plaque from tooth surfaces and the gums before it mineralizes into calculus.
Day One:
Introduce the animal to having its mouth touched. Gently pat or stroke the pet while scratching the muzzle, slowly lift the lip for 10-15 seconds. Praise or reward them at end of session.
Day Two:
Gently pat or stroke the pet while scratching the muzzle, slowly lift the lip for 30 seconds, gently running one finger covered in wet swab over the pets’ teeth. Praise or reward at the end of session.
Day Three & Four:
Repeat the above increasing by 15 seconds each time.
Day Five:
Assess the animals’ response to above. If pet is not responding well, continue. If pet is responding well then proceed by running finger over pets’ teeth for 30 seconds and then introduce a wet tooth brush, running it gently over the pets’ teeth for 30 seconds. The toothbrush bristles should be placed at a 45 angle to the gum margin where the teeth and gums meet. The movement should be in an oval pattern, ensuring the bristle ends are gently forced into the area around the base of the tooth as well as into the space between the teeth.
Day Six:
Repeat the above but increase the time by 30 seconds.
Day Seven:
Repeat above, introducing the use of pet ‘enzymatic’ toothpaste. Do not use ‘human toothpaste’. Attempt to put the paste between the bristles, this will allow the paste to have longer contact time to the teeth. Different sizes of toothbrushes and ‘finger’ brushes are available please speak to our Vets or Vet Nurses about which will work best for your pet.
Day Eight: Repeat above, gently increasing the time until 60 seconds is spent on each quadrant including the backs of the teeth.
Some diets are specially formulated to help reduce plaque and tartar. They do this in a variety of ways. Some are made into larger biscuits which resist crumbling, which creates a scrubbing action. Others have a special coating that helps prevent bacteria, reduce plaque, or discourage the formation of tartar. Ask our Vets or veterinary Nurses about the special diets available. We recommend ‘dental diets’ by Hills (T/D) and Royal Canin (Dental).
Maxi Guard Oral Cleansing Gel: contains a mix of compounds which helps ‘bad breath’ and prevent plaque build-up. It also contains compounds which promote collagen synthesis and the repair of gum damage.
Terms of Use:
This informational pamphlet is provided as a courtesy to our clients and is intended for educational purposes only. The information contained herein reflects general guidelines and should not be construed as definitive veterinary advice or a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified veterinarian. The specific needs of individual pets may vary, and it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that your pet receives care tailored to its unique requirements.
While we endeavour to provide accurate and up-to-date information, veterinary medicine is a rapidly evolving field, and some information may become outdated or be superseded by new research findings. The clinic assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or variances in treatment outcomes based on the information provided in this pamphlet.
Furthermore, the references to products, medications, or treatments within this pamphlet do not imply endorsement by the clinic. Pet owners should verify the appropriateness of any product or treatment with their veterinarian.
In case of any signs of illness, discomfort, or behavioural changes in your pet, it is imperative to seek immediate veterinary attention. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to the effective management of veterinary health issues.
For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our clinic directly. Our team is committed to providing the highest level of care for your pet.
This pamphlet is the property of Zodiac Pet & Exotic Hospital (“ZPEH”) and is not intended for commercial use or distribution without express permission from ZPEH.
Fleas are the most common external parasite of pets. Flea allergy is one of the most common skin diseases of cats. Flea control has always been a challenge for veterinarians and pet owners because the adult fleas cause the clinical signs, yet the majority of the flea population (eggs, larvae and pupae) are found off the pet in and around the home. Fleas can be picked up on the street, in the pet shop or even brought home by the owner. Fleas can carry tapeworm larvae and infect your pet if eaten.
Ticks are less common but are potentially very serious to dogs as they may carry one of the “tick fever” parasites and infect your dog as they suck the blood. Dogs usually catch ticks when they are taken outside to exercise, especially in parks and grassy areas.
Eggs are laid in the hair coat and fall off your pet, the eggs are difficult to kill and most will not be killed as they fall off your pet’s body no matter what adult flea killer you may have used. They live and develop in the carpet, sofa or cracks in the floor. Larvae are susceptible to traditional insecticides (like cockroach spray), and insect growth regulators.
They may hide for several months until the time is right when they will hatch and come out looking for their first meal. However the entire life cycle of a flea can be completed in 16 days! This is how your house can become infested with fleas even if you rarely see one on your pet.
This is completed outside your house, usually in wild and grassy areas.
Fipronil is a broad spectrum insecticide available as a spray or a spot-on. It collects in the oils of the skin and hair follicles and is released onto the hair over time which helps give it a longer lasting effect. It is best not to bathe for a day or two before or after using Frontline so it can be absorbed properly.
It is effective against both fleas and ticks which is why many vets recommend this product for dogs. Frontline Plus also contains the insect growth regulator, S-methoprene which helps control eggs and adult fleas.
In spray formulation it should kill fleas at 95% for up to 30 days after application on dogs even with weekly bathing, and can be used from 8 weeks on. The major problem with the spray is the high volume of alcohol that is applied, and some cats and small dogs will show minor reactions with this (as well as being inflammable when wet!). This product is very poisonous to rabbits and other fluffy pets and must not be used.
This insecticide is designed as a once-a-month heartworm preventive and flea preventive for dogs and cats as young as 6 weeks old. It kills adult fleas and can be used to treat sarcoptic mange and ear mites. It also helps control roundworms and hookworms. It does not have a strong effect against ticks.
The product is placed on the skin at the back of the neck, but is absorbed into the body to have its effect when parasites take it in with a blood meal. We like to recommend this product for cats as it will protect them against both fleas and heartworm.
We prefer dogs that go outside to be protected with Frontline. It can be used for rabbits at the appropriate dosage.
Many shampoos are available and some have insect growth regulators included. Shampoos are less effective than sprays, dips or spot-ons because they have little long term or residual effects, that means they only kill the fleas or ticks which are on your pet at that time. Some Tick and Flea collars are quite effective, but people often put them on and forget to change them, so the efficiency is lost.
Terms of Use:
This informational pamphlet is provided as a courtesy to our clients and is intended for educational purposes only. The information contained herein reflects general guidelines and should not be construed as definitive veterinary advice or a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified veterinarian. The specific needs of individual pets may vary, and it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that your pet receives care tailored to its unique requirements.
While we endeavour to provide accurate and up-to-date information, veterinary medicine is a rapidly evolving field, and some information may become outdated or be superseded by new research findings. The clinic assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or variances in treatment outcomes based on the information provided in this pamphlet.
Furthermore, the references to products, medications, or treatments within this pamphlet do not imply endorsement by the clinic. Pet owners should verify the appropriateness of any product or treatment with their veterinarian.
In case of any signs of illness, discomfort, or behavioural changes in your pet, it is imperative to seek immediate veterinary attention. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to the effective management of veterinary health issues.
For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our clinic directly. Our team is committed to providing the highest level of care for your pet.
This pamphlet is the property of Zodiac Pet & Exotic Hospital (“ZPEH”) and is not intended for commercial use or distribution without express permission from ZPEH.
Heartworms are parasites that live in the major blood vessels leading to the heart in cats and dogs. The disease is transmitted by MOSQUITOES. Cats can become infected when a mosquito carrying the immature stages of the heartworm injects these larvae into the cat’s bloodstream. Unlike in dogs, heartworm in cats most often causes sudden death.
The treatment for killing heartworms is extremely dangerous and can often lead to the cat’s death. Even cats that are 100% indoors can be bitten by mosquitoes! Therefore all cats should be protected against heartworm disease, starting from as early as 8 weeks of age.
We recommend using ‘Revolution TopSpot’ for cats every month for the rest of your cats life in order to prevent heartworm disease. In general, cats DO NOT need to be tested for heartworm prior to initiating prevention.
Terms of Use:
This informational pamphlet is provided as a courtesy to our clients and is intended for educational purposes only. The information contained herein reflects general guidelines and should not be construed as definitive veterinary advice or a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified veterinarian. The specific needs of individual pets may vary, and it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that your pet receives care tailored to its unique requirements.
While we endeavour to provide accurate and up-to-date information, veterinary medicine is a rapidly evolving field, and some information may become outdated or be superseded by new research findings. The clinic assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or variances in treatment outcomes based on the information provided in this pamphlet.
Furthermore, the references to products, medications, or treatments within this pamphlet do not imply endorsement by the clinic. Pet owners should verify the appropriateness of any product or treatment with their veterinarian.
In case of any signs of illness, discomfort, or behavioural changes in your pet, it is imperative to seek immediate veterinary attention. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to the effective management of veterinary health issues.
For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our clinic directly. Our team is committed to providing the highest level of care for your pet.
This pamphlet is the property of Zodiac Pet & Exotic Hospital (“ZPEH”) and is not intended for commercial use or distribution without express permission from ZPEH.
There is a great deal of controversy and discussion about vaccinations in cats. We are frequently reviewing the current science and our aim is to get the right balance between protecting your pet against disease and not giving unnecessary vaccines.
Cat Vaccination protects your pet against various diseases, some of which can be fatal. They are an important part of your cat’s health care programme, however there is the potential for side effects. Most are not serious (discomfort at the site of injection, tiredness, reduced appetite) and usually go away without treatment. However some can be life threatening, such as an allergic reaction: bumpy itchy skin, vomiting/diarrhoea, swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, collapse and even death.
For this reason it is important to choose the vaccines each cat truly needs, and to vaccinate as little as reasonably possible whilst still providing your pet freedom from disease.
The current recommendations by the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) are to give a core vaccine (against potentially life threatening diseases which all cats should be vaccinated against) no more than every 3 years after the initial 12 month booster following the kitten series. Non-core vaccines (usually preventing less serious diseases compared to those covered by the core vaccines) are given to those cats which are assessed to have risk of exposure or a health concern that may make the disease more serious.
Our veterinarians will assess your cats's lifestyle and health status, and tailor a vaccination plan accordingly.
Our Core Vaccine for cats protects against 3 diseases Herpes- causes cat flu.
Calicivirus- causes cat flu.
Panleukopenia virus - this can cause severe, and often fatal gastroenteritis. Current recommendations with the modern vaccine we use are:
1st vaccination at 9 weeks of age, or older. 2nd vaccination 3-4 weeks after the first.
Then next vaccination is a booster one year after the last kitten vaccine.
Thereafter, vaccination is repeated every 3 years as current research has shown that the vaccine will provide sufficient protection for at least 3 years.
A pregnant cat should not receive this vaccine.
Although vaccination is every 3 years for adult cats an annual health check is strongly recommended.
Other Vaccines
Chlamydia, or now known as Chlamydophila, causes conjunctivitis and respiratory disease in shelters or catteries, and rarely affects individual indoor cats. In addition, the vaccine is known to frequently cause vaccination reactions such as pain and lethargy. Therefore, we do not recommend the Chlamydophila vaccine.
We do not recommend the FIP vaccine because it has not shown to be effective in preventing FIP disease.
We only recommend this vaccine for outdoor cats with contact with stray cats.
Although commercially available, we do not recommend this vaccine as it has not been shown to be effective.
At present, Rabies vaccination for cats is not compulsory in HK. Currently there is no rabies present in Hong Kong and therefore we generally do not recommend vaccinating your cat against it.
In order to export your cat many countries require it to be vaccinated against rabies and micro-chipped, this can easily be done in our Hospital.
The final schedule of vaccination needs to be in accordance to the guidelines of the country your cat is moving to.
Terms of Use:
This informational pamphlet is provided as a courtesy to our clients and is intended for educational purposes only. The information contained herein reflects general guidelines and should not be construed as definitive veterinary advice or a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified veterinarian. The specific needs of individual pets may vary, and it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that your pet receives care tailored to its unique requirements.
While we endeavour to provide accurate and up-to-date information, veterinary medicine is a rapidly evolving field, and some information may become outdated or be superseded by new research findings. The clinic assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or variances in treatment outcomes based on the information provided in this pamphlet.
Furthermore, the references to products, medications, or treatments within this pamphlet do not imply endorsement by the clinic. Pet owners should verify the appropriateness of any product or treatment with their veterinarian.
In case of any signs of illness, discomfort, or behavioural changes in your pet, it is imperative to seek immediate veterinary attention. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to the effective management of veterinary health issues.
For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our clinic directly. Our team is committed to providing the highest level of care for your pet.
This pamphlet is the property of Zodiac Pet & Exotic Hospital (“ZPEH”) and is not intended for commercial use or distribution without express permission from ZPEH.
