lead to more severe problems that re- quire surgical intervention.


Other Possible Causes Ear mites (tiny arthropods that can reside in a cat’s or dog’s ear canal) are more common in cats. They are visible under the vet’s microscope and require specific treatment. Occasionally, a foreign object lodged in a pet’s ear canal can be the cause of an infection. A vet’s ear exam should reveal the trouble- some presence.


Certain diseases also affect ear


infections, such as thyroid or immune- suppressing diseases. Cats with diabetes also tend to be more prone to ear infec- tions. The family vet knows the pet’s history and can advise treatment that addresses the underlying cause.


Natural Prevention is Key To prevent infection in the first place or to minimize future problems once a pet’s ear infection has been successfully treated, follow these simple steps.


n Thoroughly clean the pet’s ears once a week with a cleanser recommended by the family veterinarian. Do not put a Q-tip in their ears; use a cotton ball.


n Pluck the pet’s ear hair periodically (a groomer can also do this).


n Minimize water in the ear canal after swimming trips by us- ing a vet-recommend-


communityspotlight


Comfort Dental Provides Comfortable Dental Care for All


by Jackie Flaherty D


entist George Riz- kalla, of Comfort Dental, makes


going to the dentist a comforting experience, rather than a stressful one. Rizkalla’s state-of- the-art dental office in New Hope caters to pa- tients with high anxieties related to dental care. At Comfort Dental, Rizkalla and his staff offer a range


of sedation options, including IV sedation, to suit a variety of comfort and anxiety levels. Even patients with no dental-related anxiety benefit from the calm ambi- ence of the office and the complimentary amenities: warm, scented neck wraps, moist towels to freshen up after treatment, blankets for relaxation, Direct TV so patients can watch their favorite programs or listen to music and hot chocolate, tea and coffee while waiting or after visits.


ed ear product


containing a drying agent like


salicylic acid to reduce the moisture in the ear canal.


Dr. Matthew J. Heller is an integrative veterinarian and owner of All About PetCare, in Middletown, OH.


When Rizkalla and his wife, Marie, opened Comfort Dental in New Hope in 2008, they had one goal: To build a practice that represented their standards in dentistry and customer service. Rizkalla believes that dentistry should be as com- fortable as possible and affordable, and should result in beautiful, healthy smiles. He enjoys developing long-term relationships with his patients and their families, based on trust and communication. It was Marie Rizkalla’s goal to make sure that patients experience this standard from the moment they make the first phone call to the day they complete their treatment. With a combination of experienced clini- cal and administrative professionals and the use of advances in dental technology, Comfort Dental provides a comfortable experience from start to finish. Comfort Dental’s advanced technology ensures accuracy and superior treat- ment outcomes and aids in patient education as well. Rizkalla has invested in the latest dental technology to offer his patients the best experience possible. Comfort Dental features technology such as: digital X-rays, paperless charting, same-day, all-porcelain crowns and lasers. The use of digital X-rays exposes the patient to 90 percent less radiation than traditional X-rays and allows the digital image to be displayed on a computer or TV monitor. This enables the patient to co-diagnose with the doctor and see what is happening in the mouth. The option for same-day crowns offers both convenience and a better fit and design. With the latest addi- tion of soft- and hard-tissue lasers, Rizkalla can reduce the amount of discomfort that is often caused by drilling and injection. Comfort Dental also offers sedation dentistry and mercury-free dentistry as well. Rizkalla and his staff believe that creating a positive experience at their dental office begins with the ambience of the office, the friendly staff and the gentle touch of the hygienists, assistants and the dentist himself.


Location: Comfort Dental, 9413 36th Ave. N., New Hope. Fore more information, call 763-746-9033 or visit SedationDentistMN.com.


natural awakenings July 2012 13


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