Posts in Category: Pet Dental Care

If your dog’s stinky breath gets in the way of your enjoyment of enthusiastic doggie kisses, snuggling on the couch, or any other up close and personal time, you’re not alone. “Dog breath” is almost universally disliked, but did you know that bad breath in dogs isn’t normal?

Stinky dog breath may be the result of a health problem, but the good news is that it’s (usually) easily rectified. Your team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent care has done the research into what causes doggie breath, and what you can do to correct it.

Your pet may never need to have that Top Model, pearly white smile, but their oral health is definitely linked to overall health. Just like with us, plaque and tartar can develop on their teeth and progressively deteriorate the teeth and gums. Pet dental disease is not only painful but can also lead to diseases of other organs.

Home dental health is a must for your pet’s well-being and the team at Animal Medical Hospital and 24 Hour Urgent Care is here to help you learn how to brush your pet’s teeth!

There are definitive ways to prevent periodontal disease, but like other facets of health, the journey starts at home. Sure, it can be an uphill battle to convince some pets that daily tooth brushing can be fun, but routine pet dental care, both at home and in the veterinarian’s office, sets the stage for long term health and wellness. 

Setting the Tone

One reason for annual wellness checks is the opportunity to look inside your pet’s mouth. A quick flip of the lip can be informative, but it really is only one piece of the puzzle. We might be able to quickly ascertain that some level of dental disease is present because of bleeding or inflamed gums, or foul-smelling breath. 

It used to be that pet owners would simply grin and bear their pet’s foul-smelling breath. However, it’s no longer recommended to accept doggie breath or tuna breath as natural. The first sign that there are problems in the mouth is bad breath! 

Because pet dental care is linked to so many different areas of overall health, caring for their teeth and gums is absolutely crucial to their longevity.

Adult Pet Problems

The vast majority of cats and dogs over the age of two suffer from periodontal (gum) disease. While it’s not viewed as an issue plaguing younger pets, the fact is, gum disease is 100% preventable. If a pet dental care routine is established early on, a pet stands a better chance of enjoying a longer, healthier life. 

Of the many things we check during your pet’s routine wellness exam, the health of their teeth and gums ranks pretty high. Even a brief peek inside gives us a basic understanding of their current oral health – and what the future might bring. Without regular teeth cleaning and at-home pet dental care, the animals we love may face serious health risks.

Committing to the Big Picture

Brushing your pet’s teeth might seem like just another chore you can push to the back burner. This is especially true if your pet is opposed to the activity. However, by introducing the act of brushing in a positive way – and rewarding your pet – they’re more likely to believe this is just another act of love on your part (and it is!).  

We all know how important regular dental care is for ourselves and our children. We brush twice a day, floss and see our dentist annually for checkups and professional cleaning. But what if we told you that regular pet dental care is just as important?

It’s true! If you imagine what it would feel like to never brush your teeth or see a dentist, you begin to get the picture. Taking good care of your pet’s oral health is of vital importance. Animal Medical Hospital shows you why!

A Common Problem

Dental disease in pets is extremely common. Studies show that by the time our pets reach 4 years of age, 85% of them have some form of dental disease. But many of us don’t realize this problem exists, until dental disease is advanced. Most pet owners don’t regularly look into their pets’ mouths, and pets are masters at hiding their pain and discomfort, making it even more difficult to know when there’s a problem. Continue…

By Dr. Bridget Andersen

Did you know that puppies have 28 deciduous (baby) teeth by the time they are 3-6 weeks of age and that kittens have 26?

• At around 3-4 months of age puppies and kittens start to lose their baby teeth and their first adult teeth will start to erupt, starting with incisors, premolars and then molars.   The canine teeth are the last to erupt, typically at 6 months of age.
• Many owners never find their pets baby teeth, as they are often swallowed while chewing.

It is important to offer your pet several safe chewing options during this time to keep your pet, and your home, safe.

• For puppies it is ideal to offer them pliable chew toys that will massage the gums as the teeth are erupting.   The best choices are non-toxic rawhide, soft nylon, rubber chew toys, and specifically designed dental chews.
• When offering your puppy a non-digestible toy – monitor it closely to make sure that they are unable to chew it into piecesthat could become lodged in the gastrointestinal system.  However be careful on your search for an indestructible chew toy because animal bones, antlers, and hard plastics and nylons can fracture your puppy’s tooth – creating pain and a potential for infection or even damage to the permanent tooth.
• Kittens love to chew during this stage as well and their needs can often be satisfied with crunchy food and treats.  Avoid cloth, strings, and rope (anything with a linear shape) during this phase of your puppies or kittens life as these items can easily become obstructions in the gastrointestinal tract.
  

   Your puppy will eventually erupt 42 permanent teeth and your cat will erupt 32.

  These teeth will require daily oral care.

• It is best to start brushing their teeth at a young age to get them accustomed to you having your fingers in their mouths.
• You can use a bristle finger brush or a pet tooth brush, in conjunction with pet safe toothpaste to massage the outer surfaces of the teeth and gum line.
• If the brush and toothpaste combination is too cumbersome, a chlorhexidine dental wipe will work just as well to remove the plaque and bacteria that lead to periodontal disease.  While daily oral care is best, oral care at home can be beneficial even if performed only a few times a week.
• For times when brushing is not possible, there are many products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to help keep your pets mouth clean.  Ask your vet about products with the VOHC seal to help you with your pet’s daily home oral care. The list of approved products can be found at www.vohc.org

At some point, most pets do need to go under anesthesia for a thorough dental cleaning. By taking some simple steps at home, however, you may be able to decrease the frequency these cleanings are needed and help prevent problems that result in more extensive dental work.

• Brush your pet’s teeth! Even if you can’t brush every day, developing a routine with your pet is one of the most effective ways of stopping plaque and tartar buildup.
  • Introduce your pet to tooth brushing slowly using lots of praise. Start by introducing your finger into the mouth (dipping it in something tasty like broth or tuna helps!)
  • Keep sessions short and positive!
  • Once your pet tolerates your finger, you can slowly introduce a soft, wet toothbrush.
  • Once your pet tolerates brushing you can introduce him to a special veterinary toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste for your pet.
  • Don’t force it. Some pets do not allow their teeth to be brushed.  If your pet becomes irritated or aggressive, don’t push the issue.
• Utilize products advocated by your veterinarian to help prevent plaque and tartar. Certain treats and foods have been shown to help prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. These are particularly helpful for pets that do not tolerate brushing.  We would be happy to assist you in selecting products appropriate for your pet.
• Avoid table scraps! These increase the speed at which plaque and tartar accumulate, as well as causing other problems.
• See your vet. Your pet’s semi-annual wellness appointments are the best time to discuss your pet’s dental health and what further steps should be taken.

Dental cleaning is important for all of our furry friends.  But did you know that cats are predisposed to several conditions besides periodontal disease that dogs do not experience?  These make dental examinations and cleanings even more important for our feline companions.

Feline gingivostomatitis is a condition in which the cat’s body becomes allergic to the plaque around the teeth.   Affected cats develop very painful swellings in the mouth that can cause difficulty eating and even grooming.  Many treatments exist may be tried, however often the most effective treatment is removal of all or most of the teeth.

Over half of kitties over the age of six will experience feline oral resorptive lesions.  This painful condition results when normal cells in the tooth called odontoblasts create holes in the tooth near the gumline similar to a cavity.  As these progress they can become infected and excruciatingly painful. The underlying cause for feline tooth resorption is unknown at this time.  Cats with this problem may show pain, exhibit drooling, bleeding from the mouth, or have difficulty eating. Treatment may include removing all or part of the affected teeth.

By allowing your veterinarian to perform recommended dental procedures these problems can be addressed early, allowing your cat to spend more time thinking about his catnip mouse and less time about a painful tooth.