VILLAGE PET PAGES
Alistair, The Head to Tail Poop Star Found on the A Train!
By Joy Pape, FNP-C, CDCES and Nicole Cerniello, DVM
ALISTAIR AWAITING his next adventure.
Veterinarian Dr. Nicole Cerniello, Medical Director at Greenwich Village Animal Hospital (GVAH), is often busy providing dental care to pets. This piqued our interest to learn more about the importance of dental health for pets.
In both people and in pets, the mouth is considered the gateway to the digestive tract. Most people understand the importance of regular dental visits for people, but not always for pets. And, “fecal transplant ” is not normally a term people are aware of, nor are they aware that this procedure can, in certain circumstances, improve the digestive system.
Now, let’s see how a dental visit turned a cat into “poop” star.
Carol Dougherty, the owner of Alistair, a cat that Dr. Cerniello was evaluating for bad breath, wrote this:
Alistair, a young adult silver tabby, was found on the A train in Far Rockaway by an MTA employee. Unchipped and unclaimed, he was given to KittyKind Adoptions at Petco Union Square and found his way into our hearts and home two years ago.
The Head End. Alistair was well except for his breath, which can only be described as “stinky.” Dr. Cerniello couldn’t find any obvious dental problems but recommended X-rays which showed infections under his gums. He received treatment for that and also had two teeth extracted. All went well but he had to avoid dry food for a few days. We got through it with no bad breath or oral issues since. It was happy ending for his “head end” and then Dr. Cerniello asked us about the “tail end.”
The Tail End. Dr Cerniello asked if she could test Alistair’s poop to see if it could be used for a fecal transplant for another pet patient (Poppy) who suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Alistair’s poop passed the lab tests (parasite free) and all was good to go. A “fresh” poop was extracted from the litter box and given to Dr. Cerniello. The fecal transplant was performed, and it was a success!
ALISTAIR CATCHING SOME SUN RAYS in his new home. Photos by Carol Dougherty.
Alistair’s rags-to-riches story is now complete! He is proud to show off his odor-free smile as he is hailed for being a poop donor extraordinaire!
We then asked Dr. Ciernello about both the head and tail ends.
Why is dental care important?
Dental care is incredibly important to the overall health of our pets. Almost all cats and dogs will develop periodontal disease by several years of age. If dental disease is not addressed it can lead to pain and poor appetites. In extreme cases, this can make it difficult to control an endocrine disease such as diabetes.
How often should a pet have dental care?
Veterinarians should perform an oral exam during each physical exam every 6-12 months. From there, your veterinarian will discuss what your pets’ dental needs are which may include a COHAT or Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment. This is performed under anesthesia and includes scaling, polishing and dental radiographs.
What is the cost of dental care and is it covered by pet insurance?
The cost can vary greatly. Most veterinarians are able to provide an estimate before the procedure. Each insurance company handles dentistry differently so you should check with your individual plan.
What type of gastrointestinal problems can a fecal transplant help?
Fecal transplants can be used to treat chronic non-responsive diarrhea, parvoviral infection, recurrent urinary tract infections, canine atopy (a type of allergy), and restoration of normal microorganisms in the intestines of patients following antibiotics or chemotherapy.
How do you find pets to help other pets with gastrointestinal problems?
We come up with a list of healthy pets we have seen recently for annual exams. Ideal candidates have an appropriate body condition score, are healthy, and have no history of acute or chronic GI disease. They should be indoor-only cats and be negative for several infectious diseases. After that, we can then ask the potential donor’s pet parents if they are willing to help!
Why was Alistair a good candidate?
Alistair is a young, healthy, indoor cat without records of antibiotics or gastrointestinal (GI) disease in the last 12 months.
Learn More
American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) avdc.org/animal-owner-resources
Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) vohc.org
