National Pet Dental Health Month

February 1-28, 2001

"Why should I be concerned about dental care for my pet?"

The answer to this is surprising...
Dental disease is the most prevalent disease that occurs in almost all animals from 3-4 years of age and older. On-going studies are showing that it is even more prevalent than skin, ear or urinary tract problems. Estimates run as high as 60-80% of all domestic animals, cats and dogs, are being affected. Cats have worse problems than dogs and can show severe periodontal or gum disease by 1-2 years of age. Without regular dental care this percentage climbs to greater than 95% of pets by 5-6 years of age and older. Small breed dogs, again, seem to have a much higher prevalence than larger breeds.

What is the cause of gum disease?
Periodontal or gum disease, is caused by bacteria in the mouth combining with food particles to form plaque on the teeth. As the plaque forms the body responds by forming red, sometimes bleeding gums. Bad breath is a big complaint of many owners along with drooling and being picky about or having problems eating certain foods. Occasionally, gums and other areas of the mouth can become ulcerated from the chronic infection which makes eating even more difficult. This is seen especially in cats. Eventually teeth are lost and this is also painful as well as irreversible.

How serious is it?
Very serious! The bacteria in the oral cavity have a direct route to the bloodstream. As these bacteria circulate throughout the body, they adversely affect many of the vital organs, especially the kidneys, liver, heart and lungs. Chronic coughs, early congestive heart failure and premature kidney failure are among the many serious side effect that can result.

Catnip Corner

A Cat's Prayer

Now hear this!
You may live in this dwelling with me, but keep in mind your sole purpose for existing is to care for me. I pray God keeps you able to do so. Fee me well and promptly, so that I may then find a quiet place to lie down and stare at you. If that place happens to be on top of the television set, do not keep trying to dislodge me even though my tail is hanging in the middle of the picture.

I expect full run of the premises, including the kitchen table. I sniff your food only to see if I would prefer it to mine. Brush me twice a week. Pet me as often as you wish, but I can do without the idiotic statements you utter as you do so.

When I bump my head against your leg or cheek, it means I accept you as part of my environment. Keep in mind that if I thought the lady next door would feed me better, I'd be out of here in a minute. If you're looking for loyalty - get a dog!!!

How do we clean your pet's teeth...
To perform proper dental care your pet must be under general anesthesia. Before this is done, he or she will receive a thorough physical exam as well as any elective pre-surgical procedures, such as blood work, (mandatory for all pets 7 and over), x-rays and an electrocardiogram, (EKG). The patient may be given a small amount of injectable anesthesia for relaxation.

A small endotracheal tube is inserted into the trachea and sealed gently by an inflated cuff. This keeps water, bacteria and other debris out of the lungs during cleaning. It is also used to administer a safe gas anesthesia. 1-2 hours prior to the procedure, an antibiotic injection is given to prevent infection caused by the release of bacteria into the bloodstream during scaling.

Tarter is then removed from the teeth using an ultrasonic scaler. Any debris under the gums is removed with a hand scaler.
The mouth is carefully examined and any loose teeth are extracted.
The teeth are then mechanically polished to create a smooth surface which will help prevent adhesion of bacteria.
Finally, fluoride is applied to the teeth because of its antibacterial property and ability to desensitize the teeth.
The mouth is thoroughly rinsed with an antibacterial solution to kill as many resident bacteria as possible.

Your pet can go home later the same day the dental is performed. He or she will need to continue taking antibiotics and may or may not be given pain medicine. Although the dental may now be done, the care of teeth does not end here. Brushing your pet's teeth on a daily basis is pertinent to preventing tarter build up. Hill's Prescription Diet "T/D", CET chews, Hexa-Rinse, Oxyfresh Mouth Rinse and MaxiGuard are among a number of products that can be used to help keep your pet's teeth clean as well.

What can I do?
Just as with your own teeth, annual professional teeth cleanings combined with routine home dental care can be very helpful in preventing the serious periodontal diseases described above. (For a description of the dental cleaning prophylaxis and what you and your pet may expect, please click here.)
In honor of "National Pet Dental Health Month" we are offering a FREE Dental Exam and a 20% Off Dental Prophylaxis so your pet can have healthy teeth.

How do you know if your pet has a problem with it's teeth?
Bad breath is probably the primary indicator that something is not happy in the mouth area. This is especially true if it persists. Other indicators of dirty teeth might be excessive licking, drooling, dropping food when trying to eat or a reluctance to eat. Sometimes a pet will roll food from one side of the mouth to another, paw at the mouth or tilt the head sideways trying to chew.

Occasionally you can hear a grinding or grating sound when the pet tries to chew. If your pet will let you examine the mouth you may be able to visualize excessive stain and or accumulation of plaque, especially on the outer surfaces of the jaw teeth. There may be facial swelling, sneezing, hemorrhages or nasal discharge.

We will examine your pet's teeth at least yearly at the time of their annual physical exam. Older pets may need their's checked more often than this. If they are excessively dirty or if there are loose teeth, cracked or broken teeth we will recommend a dental cleaning or prophylaxis along with the correction of any other problems at that time. A dental cleaning, or "prophy", should be done at least annually on most pets. Some may require it as often as every 3-6 months, especially the small breed dogs and cats.

Can you prevent oral disease in your pet?
Yes! Many problems affecting the teeth and oral cavity are preventable, especially if your pet has it's teeth cleaned professionally at least once annually. At home you can brush your pet's teeth. As with your own teeth, the more often they are brushed, the more effective will be the results. The primary goal is to maintain a healthy oral environment so that the mouth's innate defenses can remain active, i.e., healthy gums can support healthy teeth etc.

Regular oral home care, whether mechanical brushing, rinsing with oral rinses, providing plaque control chew bones, food or treats, or just adding an antibacterial mouth wash to the pet's water bowl daily is certain to help to one degree or another in extending the positive effect of a professional cleaning.

Dogs and cats with gingivitis (gum inflammation) or periodontitis (inflammation of the structures surrounding the tooth) not only have bad breath but develop additional dental problems due to bacteria mixing with food particles. These bacteria attach at the crevice where the teeth meet the gums. This provides foundation for more bacteria and food particles to accumulate. This process can continue until the gums around the area are red and swollen. This inflammation becomes self-perpetuating.

Gingivitis is a reversible inflammation of the gingiva. There is a change from the normal pink color of the gum to red or purple and with or without swelling. With periodontitis, there is much deeper inflammation, loss of tooth support and permanent damage. Bone supporting the teeth can be resorbed or lost and teeth become progressively looser. Affected teeth may eventually be lost due to lack of support. In these final stages dental disease is painful with abscesses and tooth loss.

A simple mechanical pushing away of the food particles and the use of anything that removes the bacteria, whether a chemical that kills the bacteria or a brush that dislodges them are effective means for preventing plaque accumulation.

K-9 Corner

Puppy Pie
Take one puppy, roll and play with until slightly pampered, then add the following ingredients:

1 cup patience...
1 cup understanding...
1 pinch correction...
1 cup hard work...
2 cups praise and 1/2 cup of fun!

Blend well... heat with the warmth of your heart until raised or until puppy has doubled in size. Mix with owner until consistency is such that owner and dog are one!