Periodontal Disease In Pets

Do You Know the Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease in Your Pet?

Published February 9, 2011 | By admin

Jessie, the dog who gets routine dental check-ups with her vet:

Do you know what the most frequently diagnosed health problem is for pets? Oral disease! By age three, nearly 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will begin to show signs of dental problems. For smaller dogs, periodontal disease is a very common problem. In fact, our Yorkie-Poo buddy, Bolt, recently visited the veterinarian and was told that he needs a thorough cleaning of his teeth and gums before decay and serious issues set in. He could potentially lose all of his teeth and develop other health problems in his cute little body.

How does oral disease begin in pets? It all starts with bacteria. Saliva and food particles lodge between the teeth and gums, causing a build-up of plaque. Eventually, that plaque will turn to tartar. When plaque and tartar build up over time, that leads to periodontal disease which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. If this is not treated, your pet may endure oral pain, dysfunction, loss of teeth, and systemic problems. Organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys can be affected. It’s not a pretty picture.

There are certain warning signs of periodontal disease in your pet. You may notice persistent bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, he may paw at his face and mouth, and he may appear depressed.

To prevent oral disease in your pet, make sure he is seen routinely by a veterinarian, and make sure each exam includes a dental exam. Practice a regular dental care program at home for your pet. This may include brushing his teeth with toothpaste especially formulated for pets. Please do not use toothpaste meant for humans, as it can cause an upset stomach in your pet. Ask your vet about pet foods that are especially formulated to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar.

Remember! A true pet lover knows pets can truly smile….and we want to see them flash those beautiful teeth and healthy smiles every day!

(Thanks to petdental.com for this great information! Thanks to Bolt for keeping his teeth clean and his breath fresher now….it was getting pretty rank in here with that stinky mouth! He is well on his way to better dental health!)

Posted in pet care | Tagged bad breath in dogs, brushing a dog's teeth, dogs with bad breath, oral disease in pets, oral health care for pets, periodontal disease in pets, pet dental health, pets, pets and dental health, pets and gum disease, pets and oral health care | Leave a comment

Flash those pearly whites, Fido!

Published August 26, 2010 | By admin

Bo, the cat with the charming smile: Jessie, our resident dog, is out today. In fact, I hope she is at the dentist’s office, as I just read an article about gum disease in dogs. I would hate to see her suffer from that, particularly since I have such an award-winning smile! (Turns to look into a strategically-placed mirror…pauses for a moment…and then returns to this commentary.) Oh! I’m sorry. You’re still here! Wow! I was momentarily blinded by my bright smile. As I was saying, periodontal disease is an inflammation of some or all of a tooth’s deep supporting structures. It is also one of the most common diseases in dogs.

If particles of food and bacteria accumulate along a dog’s gumline, plaque will soon form, and when that is combined with saliva and minerals, it can turn into calculus, and that is not something you will find in a math book! This leads to gum irritation and eventually to an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. When this occurs, the gums directly bordering the teeth will appear quite red and this is indicative of the early stages of gum disease. You humans, too, have to exercise preventative measures in terms of your dental care.

Periodontal disease can affect both cats and dogs. (The horror! I brush and floss regularly!) However, it is more common in older animals. (A good kitty, however, never reveals his true age!)

Periodontal disease first presents with the inflammation of one tooth, and, if left untreated, can progess to different stages of the disease. In Stage 1, the dog may exhibit gingivitis without any separation of the gum and the tooth. In Stage 2, there could be as much as a 25% attachment loss, and by Stage 3, up to a 30% loss. Stage 4, also known as advanced periodontitis, there is more than a 50% loss in attachment. As the disease advances, the gum tissue will typically recede, exposing the roots of the teeth. (Ew! Gross!)

With dogs, the most common cause of periodontal disease is due to streptococcus and actinomyces bacteria. The smaller toy breeds and those that groom themselves are at a greater risk of developing the disease. Poor nutrition is also a contributing factor.

Treatment depends upon how advanced the disease is. In the early stages, the focus is on removing the plaque buildup and preventing attachment loss. This is done through daily brushing with animal-safe toothpaste, professional cleaning and polishing, and the application of fluoride.

In stages 2 and 3, treatment requires cleaning the space between the gums and the teeth and the application of an antibiotic gel that allows for the rejuvenation of the gum tissues and decreases the size of the space.

For the more advanced cases, bone replacement, periodontal splinting, and guided tissue regeneration may be necessary.

The overall prognosis depends on the severity of the disease. The best way to minimize the ill affects caused by periodontal disease in dogs is to get an early diagnosis, along with proper treatment and therapy.

Thanks for tuning in today, folks! Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go gargle and focus on that minty-fresh breath of mine! Keep smiling! (I smile to show off my teeth. However, Jessie thinks my continual smile means I am up to no good…either way, I am having a blast!)

(Thanks to petmd.com for this awesome information!)