It’s not just a matter of bad breath.
Paying attention to your pet’s dental health can it live longer.
“Two-thirds of pet owners don’t understand the importance of dental care for their pet,” explains veterinarian Emily Dugas of Veterinary Medical Clinic in Tampa.
Dugas estimates that only 2 percent of pet owners brush their pet’s teeth with enough regularity for the pet to maintain good oral health.
Good oral health is important to your pet for lots of reasons. For one thing, it can affect the pet’s overall health. For another, dogs rely on their mouths to eat, play and explore.
The American Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Dental Society and other organizations have set aside February as National Pet Dental Health Month to draw attention to the issue.
“Most often, pets don’t show signs of periodontal disease,” Dugas explains. “But by age 3, 75 [percent] to 80 percent of dogs will have some stage of periodontal disease.”
Her claim is bolstered by statistics: A report by the American Veterinary Medical Association cites periodontal disease as the No. 1 problem diagnosed in dogs and cats older than 3.
Killer dog or cat breath typically means there is significant bacteria buildup.
Besides smelling bad, poor dental hygiene is directly linked to serious health problems that affect longevity, including risk of heart, liver and kidney disease.
“When the mouth is infected, bacteria can move to other parts of the body - important organs including the heart, kidneys and liver,” says Dugas, citing recent findings from an AVMA study about oral health in pets.
Periodontal disease results when bacteria attack the soft gum tissues in the mouth. It is the final stage in a process that begins when plaque develops on the teeth. When plaque mixes with saliva, it hardens and becomes tartar.
Bacteria, plaque and tartar irritate your pets’ gums and cause redness, swelling and tenderness. This stage is referred to as gingivitis.
Eventually, inflamed gums can separate from the teeth, causing pockets allowing more bacteria to accumulate. As pockets deepen, bacteria attack the roots of the teeth and the bony tissues of the jaw. This causes teeth to loosen, gums to bleed, mouth odor and pain. This is full-blown periodontal disease.
As if this doesn’t sound painful enough, the next progression for bacteria is to enter the bloodstream and infect major organs and possible the nervous system as well. If it’s not caught in time, a pet’s organs can sustain serious damage that can lead to death.
Keep in mind, pets cannot tell us they have a toothache or trouble chewing.
“Pets can be very stoic,” Dugas points out. “So it might not be obvious when they are experiencing pain or discomfort.”
Watch for the following signs of dental disease in dogs or cats:
•Yellow or brown buildup of tartar along gum line.
•Inflamed gums.
•Persistent bad breath.
•Change in eating or chewing habits .
•Not eating at all.
•Depression.
•Broken teeth.
The good news is that periodontal disease is preventable and treatable.
The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends the pet owners work with their veterinarians to maintain the animal’s good dental health.
The society outlines the following three-step process to take the bite out of dental dilemmas:
•Take your pet to the veterinarian for a complete checkup, including a dental exam. Don’t wait until the annual checkup if you suspect a problem.
•Begin a dental regimen at home. Your veterinarian can suggest steps that may include brushing your pet’s teeth.
Ideally, it’s best to start them on a routine brushing program at an early age, but adult animals can learn to tolerate brushing, too.
•Start with a soft gauze and a toothpaste formulated for pets. Graduate to a specially designed pet toothbrush. Toothpaste for humans will irritate your pet’s stomach.
One convenient and effective way to combat oral disease is by feeding your pet specially formulated foods that have been proven effective in fighting plaque and tartar buildup.
Schedule regular veterinary checkups. These help your veterinarian monitor progress of your pet’s dental health routine. For young and adult pets, a checkup is needed at least once a year. For older pets, six-month checkups are recommended.
It may not be easy to get your pet accustomed to a toothbrush, if the pet hasn’t seen one before.
The best thing is to start slowly.
Here are some tips from veterinary dentist Jan Bellows of Hometown Animal Hospital in Weston that can help.
•It’s good for dogs and cats to have chew toys and tartar-scrubbing foods, similar to “edible” toothbrushes, as part of their dental care. Look for ‘Greenies” or other toothbrush-shaped chews at your local pet supply retailer. (Yes, they make them for cats, too).
•An even better idea is to use a pet oral rinse that can be squirted into the mouth. Some of the rinses are malt- or fish-flavored. Another clever idea is dental wipes, for use once a day. These products can be a great addition to the dog’s chews.
•The best thing to do is to brush your pet’s teeth. Your pet will get used to it, and so will you. One of the newest techniques in canine tooth care is a special antibiotic given to the dog five days of each month to control periodontal disease. Used with daily brushing, it eliminates doggie breath and helps your dog hold on to its teeth until it is a senior citizen.
Regardless of what type of dental care you choose for your pet, introduce it gradually. Keep the sessions short, and never over-restrain them. Make it worthwhile to cooperate by offering a special treat or a favorite toy after each “tooth care timeout.”
CRITTER CALENDAR
Sink Your Teeth Into Offer
To celebrate National Pet Dental Health Month in February, Greenies is offering a complimentary canine dental care package to dog owners. Throughout the month, eligible dog owners who sign up at http://www.chewstocare .com can receive the package, which includes a $20 rebate on a dental cleaning at a participating local veterinary office (requires proof of visit and proper paperwork; open to the first 10,000 eligible households); a free sample of a new Greenies dental chew; a six-month e-mail reminder to make a veterinarian appointment; and free tell-a-friend e-cards to spread the word and give free offers to friends and family. The campaign runs through Feb. 28.
Adoptable Pets At Park
Meet adoptable pets from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay at the Winter Pride of Tampa Bay event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., Tampa. For details, call (813) 876-7138 or go online to www .humanesocietytampabay.org or www .wptb.org.
Holistic Pet Care Seminar
Stop Pet Overpopulation Together is hosting a Holistic Pet Care Seminar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Azalea Recreation Center, 1600 72nd St. N., St. Petersburg. Learn about vaccinations, diet and nutrition as well as nontoxic flea prevention with guest speaker Rob Cannizzaro.
The seminar is free for SPOT members or $5 for nonmembers. Seating is limited. For information or to R.S.V.P., go to http://www.spotusa.orgor call (727) 545-3463.
Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688, or ; or fax to (727) 934-6451.
