On a steamy afternoon in Thailand, with turbulent skies overhead and sand underfoot, our angelic nurse/receptionist Kylie Mallia slowly made her way down the beach on Koh Yai Noi, Phuket to wed the love of her life, Aidan Murphy.

Kylie wed her partner of 5 years, in an intimate outdoor setting in a secluded, picturesque corner of the world. With a backdrop of a clear ocean and tropical islands under a silk arbour, Kylie and Aidan exchanged traditional vows in front of their closest friends and family.

Kylie met Aiden, an English born financial analyst, while travelling and they thought it fitting to get married while on a trip. “It was the best time of my life” said the newly wed. The bride wore an elegant, Old-Hollywood style gown made by Australian designer Johanna Johnson and she looked spectacular if we do say! After the ceremony and reception Kylie and Aidan set off to visit Krabi in southern Thailand on their honeymoon.

We’re so glad to say that Kylie is now back at work, providing gentle and considered care to the animals of Eltham, the kind of tenderness that Kylie is well known for here at Eltham Veterinary Practice.

We wish her and Aidan a long and happy life together.

There is a sneaky disease out there that likes to hide in your pet's mouth. It is called dental disease.

As many as 8 in 10 pets may be suffering from dental disease. It is caused by food particles and bacteria that build up around the teeth. This causes irritation of the gum and leads to an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. Eventually the gum separates from the tooth allowing small pockets of bacteria to form. At this point, the tooth's attachments start to break down and the disease becomes irreversible.

Signs of dental disease:

• Bad breath
• Shying away when the mouth is touched
• Drooling or dropping food from the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• A loss of appetite or weight loss 

If your pet will allow it, gently open its mouth and look inside for red and swollen gums, a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gum line, or broken or loose teeth. If you notice any of these changes, arrange a dental check up for your pet as soon as possible.

Dental disease is a great example of why regular check ups with us are important. If we can pick up on dental disease early, we can implement a dental disease prevention plan are often able to prevent further damage to your pet's teeth, giving you and your pet something to smile about! 

Does my pet really need a general anaesthetic?

In order for us to properly assess and treat dental disease general anaesthesia is usually necessary. Unfortunately we can’t ask you pet to ‘open wide’ and we need to keep all of our fingers so it is best that your pet is anesthetised. We are also able to painlessly remove any diseased teeth and clean every tooth thoroughly. 

My pet has a fractured/chipped tooth, do we really need to have it treated? 

Yes, especially if the internal part of the tooth (the pulp) is involved. The pulp contains all of the blood vessels and nerves for the tooth and if exposed, is very painful. Bacteria can enter into the tooth and infect the pulp and lead to infection within the jawbone. Often, there aren’t any obvious outward symptoms (such as facial swelling) until very late in the infection. 

Is extraction of a tooth really necessary?

When comparing our own dental experiences to that of our pets, extraction may sound drastic however the options for saving teeth in our pets are limited. A pet with severe dental disease has usually lost a significant amount of bone and soft tissue along the roots of the tooth. Extraction is often the only way we can restore oral health and prevent the disease spreading to neighboring teeth. 

The Million Paws Walk is the RSPCA's biggest fundraising event and in 2012 the walk will take place on Sunday 20th May.  Click here to see a walk location closest to you.

Million Paws Walk is a terrific day out for all and an important fundraising event for the RSPCA. Funds raised through entry fees, online fundraising and the sale of merchandise help assist the RSPCA to operate its animal shelters, support its Inspectorate services and provide community education on animal welfare issues.

In Queensland alone, there are 18,000 dogs that go through the Animal Care Centres each year. These dogs are not as fortunate as your much loved family pet. They often need to be desexed and vaccinated before they can be put on the road to finding a new home.

Yearly costs involved in caring for these dogs include:

• $360,000 for vaccination medication
• $270,000 to provide heartworm treatment
• $216,000 to provide food and shelter

So sign up to walk on Sunday 20 May and fundraise to help make a real difference to the lives of these animals.  

Even if you can’t attend a walk, you can still fundraise! 

Find out more information by visiting www.millionpawswalk.com.au