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note: Media Relations is unable to answer questions about specific
pet health problems. Contact your veterinarian.
Information
provided by veterinarians at the Kansas State University College
of Veterinary Medicine
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DENTAL CARE IMPORTANT FOR PET HEALTH
MANHATTAN
-- Most elderly pets are afflicted with some degree of tooth and
gum disease. Years of neglect eventually cause problems. While dogs
rarely get cavities, dental tartar, calculus and gum disease are
the most commonly seen ailments in older pets.
Tartar
builds up on the teeth, and if not regularly removed, will eventually
extend into the gums. The gums then become inflamed causing gingivitis.
This leads to the development of periodontal disease, or infection
and breakdown of gum tissue surrounding the tooth.
This
progressive deterioration of the gums and underlying bone tissue
manifests itself as painful red bleeding gums, offensive mouth odor
and loose teeth. Eighty-five percent of dogs two years old and older
have periodontal disease.
The
pet may exhibit difficulty chewing, with subsequent loss of appetite
and weight. In addition, the periodontal disease acts as a source
for bacterial germs that are spread throughout the body.
Regular
dental care will help prevent these conditions. Ask your veterinarian
about the dental disease in your pet and for recommendations for
preventative dental care.
There
are things you can do at home to keep your pet's teeth and gums
healthy. The most helpful home care pet owners can do is brushing
teeth.
Be
sure to use a toothbrush designed for pets. These special brushes
are especially important for small dogs and cats. You need very
soft bristles so you don't damage gum tissue. Most veterinarians
have pet toothbrushes and veterinary toothpaste for sale. A "finger"
toothbrush, a device that fits over the owner's finger, is especially
easy to use.
Don't
use baking soda or human toothpaste -- dogs swallow it and it can
upset their stomachs. CET brand poultry-flavored toothpaste and
some other toothpastes are made especially for pets. Pet owners
can get instructions from a veterinarian on how to brush pet teeth.
K-State
veterinarians don't recommend that pet owners brush the inside of
the teeth. Getting the outside is very helpful to overall dental
care. They instruct pet owners hold the mouth shut with one hand,
lift up the pet's lip and brush with the other hand.
They
say it takes a little longer to train a cat to tolerate tooth brushing,
but it can be done. Use either a finger toothbrush or the small
brush specifically designed for cats.
Starting
dental care when animals are puppies or kittens really makes a difference.
If you wait until the animal is an adult, go especially slowly in
accustoming the animal to teeth brushing. If it's a question of
your being injured if you try to brush the pet's teeth, don't do
it.
When
an animal requires advanced dental care, many veterinarians refer
these pets to K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine, where veterinarians
do root canals and all routine and advanced periodontal procedures,
including crowns.
Pet
owners should contact their veterinarian quickly in cases of dental
problems. If an animal breaks a tooth, owners should contact the
veterinarian as soon as they notice it. Different procedures may
be recommended based on the age of the animal and the duration of
the fracture.
Hill's
TD dental diet is helpful for some animals as part of home care.
This diet decreases the plaque accumulation on animal's teeth, but
the diet itself is not appropriate for all animals.
Contrary
to advertising, dog biscuits are not particularly helpful in dental
care because the dog would have to eat too many for them to be a
practical aid.
September
1996
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