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According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of periodontal disease by the age of 3 years.  Indications of periodontal disease include bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth, or depression.  However, your pet may not show any of these outward signs, even if periodontal disease is present.  

Without proper dental care, plaque and calculus buildup can lead to periodontal disease. Unlike gingivitis (which is reversible), periodontitis is not reversible. We can stop the progression of periodontal disease by cleaning your pet’s teeth under general anesthesia and implementing ways to reduce the rate of plaque and calculus build up once your pet is back at home. Periodontitis can cause red, swollen and tender gums, gum recession, bleeding, infection, pain and bad breath. If left untreated, periodontitis can result in tooth loss.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include yellow/brown calculus (tartar) buildup along the gum line, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath. The infection caused by periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and adversely affect the heart, liver and kidneys. Periodontal disease is common in all dogs, regardless of their size, so annual dental exams are important for every breed. However, small breed dogs are particularly prone to periodontal disease because their mouths are smaller, forcing their teeth closer together and making it especially difficult to keep the teeth clean. Because of this, small dogs often need dental checkups and professional cleanings more frequently than larger dogs.

Periodontal disease is also common in cats, but in addition to periodontal disease, cats can also develop painful “cat cavities,” called feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs). Although the cause is unknown, FORLs are quite common, affecting 30-50% of cats. Signs that your cat may have one of these “cat cavities” include drooling, bleeding from the mouth, or difficulty chewing. It is important to realize, however, that a majority of affected cats do not show obvious signs but are indeed experiencing pain. After these painful teeth are extracted, cats that were shy and withdrawn often become more active, social members of the household.

In order to help prevent dental disease, we recommend:
1.  Scheduling a dental exam and, if needed, a professional dental cleaning under general anesthesia. Call us to schedule a dental exam. We will let you know if a cleaning is recommended, and can arrange for one if needed.
2.  Establishing an at-home dental care regimen that can include any or all of the following: 
    • Regular tooth brushing. It’s best to start brushing while your pet is young, but adult dogs and cats can also learn
     to tolerate, and even enjoy having their teeth brushed. Toothpastes for dogs and cats are specially formulated to suit their
     taste buds (i.e. malt or chicken flavor), and are safe for the pet to swallow. Human toothpastes are not recommended
     because they can upset your pet’s stomach (pets don’t spit out the toothpaste like we do).
     • Feed Your Pet a Special “Tooth Diet.” Certain pet foods have been developed which show some efficacy in the removal of
     plaque and calculus (tartar). Encourage chewing with safe chew toys. Chewing on compressed rawhide, for example, can
     clean the teeth, and is considered safe because it breaks up into small pieces and should not cause an intestinal blockage.
     However, it is important to ensure that the size of the rawhide chew is appropriate for the size of the dog. 
    • Increase your pets chewing activity. Use of safe chew toys and large fresh knuckle bones aids in plaque removal.

We understand the special role your pet plays in your family and are dedicated to becoming your partner in your pet's health care. We treat your pet as we would our own. Our goal is to practice the highest quality medicine and surgery with compassion and an emphasis on client education. Our entire healthcare team is committed to providing personal attention to the unique concerns of each individual pet owner.

 

At this site, you will find information about our practice philosophy, our services, helpful forms to assist you and an extensive Pet Medical Library for you to search for additional pet health care information.

 Thank you for taking the time to read about our veterinary practice and the services we offer. We welcome your comments and suggestions.  Please contact us at (512)291-1600 for all your pet health care needs.