February Tip of the month:

Canine & Feline Dental Health Care

Dogs have 28 deciduous teeth (temporary) and 42 permanent teeth. Deciduous or “baby" teeth begin to appear when a puppy is about four weeks of age, and are lost gradually between 14 and 30 weeks of age. During this time, puppies may eat slightly less and chew more. Hard rubber or rawhide toys made especially for dogs are a good investment to help prevent household damage during this time. Common signs of dental problems in adult dogs include:

·Loss of appetite

·Red, swollen and bleeding gums

·Drooling

·Blood in the saliva

·Yellow-brown tartar at the gum line

·Broken teeth

·Foul breath

Dogs sometimes suffer from broken/fractured teeth; often a result of biting on sticks or rocks. A cracked or broken tooth can be painful if the nerve tissue is exposed or if it becomes infected, there is the danger of the infection spreading through the bloodstream. Prompt veterinary attention is recommended.

Tooth and Gum Disease

Tooth and gum disease can be dangerous to your dog's health. When left untreated, the harmful bacteria caused by this disease can enter the blood stream and travel to the major organs, such as the kidney liver, and even the heart.... causing illness and even death.

Gum disease begins with the formation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms in the mouth at the gum line. Plaque hardens into tartar, which harms the gums causing them to become red and swollen, known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis will lead to gum or periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can involve infections of the bone that hold the teeth in place, resulting in loss of bone, which can cause the teeth to fall out.

To ensure your dog's dental health, they require dental care on a regular basis. Otherwise they may develop problems. Dental problems may also result from injury, foreign bodies, malnutrition or systemic diseases, which infect the mouth as well as other parts of the body.

Occasionally a puppy or kitten will retain some deciduous (baby) teeth after the permanent teeth have appeared. This may damage the soft tissues of the mouth and may even accelerate wear of permanent teeth. A veterinarian should be consulted to determine whether or not removal is necessary.

How does the vet clean my dog’s teeth?

In order to clean your dog’s teeth properly, he will need to be anesthetized. There are new anesthetics that are not as risky as some of the older methods. While there are always risks with anesthetics, the risks of not treating dental disease are much greater. Your dog will have a blood test & electrocardiogram (ECG) performed to make sure that there are no health risks prior to administering anesthesia.

There are six steps in the dental process at Towne South Animal Hospital.

·Visual inspection of the oral cavity to locate any disease, foreign bodies, masses.

·Scaling removes the tartar above and below the gum line. Hand instruments and ultrasonic devices will be used to remove all of the tartar.

·Digital dental radiographs are taken of all teeth to assess the integrity and roots of each tooth and to look for any pockets which may lead to periodontal disease later.

·Polishing smoothes the surface of your dog’s teeth. This step helps to reduce future tartar buildup.

·Flushing will remove specks of dislodged tartar and bacteria from the teeth.

·OraVet tooth sealant: OraVet is a new dental product designed to prevent bacteria from attaching to your pet's teeth. By preventing bacteria from adhering to the tooth surface, plaque and tartar are greatly decreased. The sealant is applied as the last step in your pets professional cleaning while still under anesthesia.

·OraVet Gel is applied at home beginning 2 weeks after the professional cleaning once weekly. Home care kits contain 8 applications. Large dogs will use 1 application a week. Small and medium dogs should get 2-3 uses from each application.  This means home care kits will last large dogs 2 months and small/med dogs 4-5 months. Cost is $24.00.

Some statistics about dental disease

Increasingly, pet owners have begun to understand the importance of oral healthcare in companion animals.  In 2002, there were 12 million prophylactic dentals performed in the U.S. alone.  But studies show that pet owners are not following up with proper oral care at home.  And the greatest weapon in the fight against periodontal disease – a simple toothbrush – is not being used to win that fight.  In fact, data indicates that only 2% of owners brush their pets’ teeth with the frequency required to maintain proper oral health.

The Facts on Periodontal Disease

1.The #1 diagnosed condition in companion animals

2.Studies link the disease to changes in the heart, liver and kidneys

3.By age four, 85% of dogs have some stage of the disease

OraVet Plaque Prevention Gel is odorless, tasteless and invisible once applied. The gel is compatible with tooth brushing, dental diets and dental chews. Best of all, the gel needs to be applied only once a week to significantly reduce plaque and calculus formation.

The bottom line

Proper dental care is essential for your dog’s good health. Many clients will be the most conscientious owners in other areas, but neglect their dog’s dental health. You need to maintain your dogs dental health at home by trying to clean the teeth with a special brush or gel, feed your dog crunchy food, and bring your dog in to the clinic for regular dental cleanings.

Follow the link below for a demonstration of how easy application of OraVet Gel really is!     http://www.oravet.us.merial.com/extras/OraVet_Homecare.mpg

February 2008