Pet Care Tips
Oral Health and Your Pet
Did you know that dental disease is the most commonly diagnosed infectious disease in dogs and cats? Eighty-five percent of all dogs over one year of age have some degree of periodontal disease. Imagine what your mouth would look and feel like if you never brushed your teeth — not a pretty picture is it?
Periodontal disease in a dog
What is periodontal disease? Periodontal disease, in short, is inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone around your pet's teeth. Bacteria accumulates in the mouth and forms plaque which later becomes tarter on the teeth's surface and between the teeth and gums. This in turn leads to irritation, redness and swelling. Pockets form and deepen which then leads to damage of the tissues that hold the teeth in place. If left untreated it can lead to tooth loss. In addition, and perhaps more seriously, bacteria can enter the bloodstream leading to heart, kidney and/or liver problems.
Here are some signs to tell if your pet has dental disease:
- Bad breath
- Yellow-brown crust on the teeth and/or near the gum line
- Red, swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding while eating or when the mouth or gums are touched
- A decrease in appetite or difficulty eating
- Loose or missing teeth
Here's how to protect your pets teeth
- Brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis (use only pet toothpaste and a toothbrush designed for dogs or cats)
- Chew toys/dental rawhides: Many pet care companies make great tasting oral hygiene chews
- Dental diets: Many pet food companies make diets formulated to aid in oral care
- Rinses and water additives
- Regular check-ups and cleaning: We recommend every 6 to 18 months depending on your pet's breed and stage of dental disease
If your pet is exhibiting any of the above signs, or you are interested in learning more about protecting your dogs teeth, please call us today. We have state-of-the-art dental equipment to treat your pet. If you have a senior pet and are worried about putting them under anesthesia, we would be happy to discuss your concerns. We use the safest anesthesia and the most up-to-date anesthetic monitoring equipment available during the procedure. We also offer pre-anesthetic blood work to screen for any underlying diseases that may cause an animal difficulty under anesthesia. If the risks of the procedure outweigh the benefits we won't recommend it!
