Fluffy's Foul Mouth
by R.H. Henderson DVM: Eastside Animal Health Clinic
Every wonder why the breath coming from your pet smells like the garbage from last week? You take great pride in treating your best little friend with the best food on the market to protect from dental disease. You buy them all the coolest toys that are supposed to keep their teeth clean. You give them the best seat in the house and let them sleep in the bed with you. Then they return the favor with a breath that will make you run for the window and fresh air.
Be certain, that this is not always your fault, and never your pets fault. Like many of our two legged friends, habits in conjunction with our body’s chemistry make the environment in our mouths favorable for the formation of plaque causing bacteria.
In as little as 24 hours, plaque can form in your pet’s mouth deep in the void that lives between the teeth and gums. This can lead to gingivitis, and if left unattended will lead to periodontal disease in short order.
The body’s reaction to these invading bacteria is to dump antibodies, glycoprotein and other defense mechanisms to fight the battle of the gum line. However, this battle is not without its collateral damage as the very structures that support the teeth can be damaged. The teeth can become loose, decayed diseased. The gums become inflamed and tender. The bones of the jaw will start to soften as they lose calcium. This means that every bite your pet takes can be painful. Often this alone will lead to other health issues. I have seen pets stop eating and loose weight only because a tooth was lose as a result of this periodontal disease. Too, I have seen pets lose their lives as a result of serious organ failure resulting directly from periodontal disease.
Did you know, that the same bacteria that forms on the teeth and eventually becomes plaque, is the same that forms on the values of the heart. Here too, the plaque will form decreasing the efficiency of the heart leading ultimately to heart failure. When there is visible plaque on the teeth, each bite your pet takes seeds the blood stream with millions of these bacteria which will eventually arrive at the heart. This circumstance alone can reduce the lifespan of your pet by as much as 20 % by some estimates.
It is a simple matter to help delay this event. Something as simple as using a wash cloth or a paper towel to wipe the teeth and structures of the mouth could save your pet’s dental health. For those pets that will tolerate the brushing, oral hygiene much akin to that which we should practice will all but eliminate this disease. However, still there are some that will need regular cleaning to maintain proper dental health
You can nearly remove the putrid odor along with the chance of developing this condition by having your pets mouth examined yearly. Your Veterinarian can prescribe and perform most of the procedures required to eliminate this menace to your pet’s life. In addition, it will make the breath from your pooch more tolerable.
We recommend at least a yearly examination of your pet’s oral cavity. Usually this is incorporated in the annual examination. If you notice an unusual odor, or if you notice your pet chewing differently, have your buddy’s mouth examined. This is especially true for those that are older, groom a lot, or have a face that is a bit flatter. These guys seem to have the most dental issues.
Most dental procedures require general anesthetic. There are few pets that will tolerate the de-scaling and polishing that is needed to correct periodontal disease and gingivitis. This anesthetic is a small but necessary risk to any procedure. Therefore, it is far more preferable to prevent such an event than to conduct the event.
So in short, visit your veterinarian and have them take a look in your pet’s mouth. Get her or him to explain how to care for your pet’s mouth. With just a little effort you could make the time you have with your pet much longer and more enjoyable.
Fluffy's Foul Mouth
by R.H. Henderson DVM: Eastside Animal Health Clinic
Every wonder why the breath coming from your pet smells like the garbage from last week? You take great pride in treating your best little friend with the best food on the market to protect from dental disease. You buy them all the coolest toys that are supposed to keep their teeth clean. You give them the best seat in the house and let them sleep in the bed with you. Then they return the favor with a breath that will make you run for the window and fresh air.
Be certain, that this is not always your fault, and never your pets fault. Like many of our two legged friends, habits in conjunction with our body’s chemistry make the environment in our mouths favorable for the formation of plaque causing bacteria.
In as little as 24 hours, plaque can form in your pet’s mouth deep in the void that lives between the teeth and gums. This can lead to gingivitis, and if left unattended will lead to periodontal disease in short order.
The body’s reaction to these invading bacteria is to dump antibodies, glycoprotein and other defense mechanisms to fight the battle of the gum line. However, this battle is not without its collateral damage as the very structures that support the teeth can be damaged. The teeth can become loose, decayed diseased. The gums become inflamed and tender. The bones of the jaw will start to soften as they lose calcium. This means that every bite your pet takes can be painful. Often this alone will lead to other health issues. I have seen pets stop eating and loose weight only because a tooth was lose as a result of this periodontal disease. Too, I have seen pets lose their lives as a result of serious organ failure resulting directly from periodontal disease.
Did you know, that the same bacteria that forms on the teeth and eventually becomes plaque, is the same that forms on the values of the heart. Here too, the plaque will form decreasing the efficiency of the heart leading ultimately to heart failure. When there is visible plaque on the teeth, each bite your pet takes seeds the blood stream with millions of these bacteria which will eventually arrive at the heart. This circumstance alone can reduce the lifespan of your pet by as much as 20 % by some estimates.
It is a simple matter to help delay this event. Something as simple as using a wash cloth or a paper towel to wipe the teeth and structures of the mouth could save your pet’s dental health. For those pets that will tolerate the brushing, oral hygiene much akin to that which we should practice will all but eliminate this disease. However, still there are some that will need regular cleaning to maintain proper dental health
You can nearly remove the putrid odor along with the chance of developing this condition by having your pets mouth examined yearly. Your Veterinarian can prescribe and perform most of the procedures required to eliminate this menace to your pet’s life. In addition, it will make the breath from your pooch more tolerable.
We recommend at least a yearly examination of your pet’s oral cavity. Usually this is incorporated in the annual examination. If you notice an unusual odor, or if you notice your pet chewing differently, have your buddy’s mouth examined. This is especially true for those that are older, groom a lot, or have a face that is a bit flatter. These guys seem to have the most dental issues.
Most dental procedures require general anesthetic. There are few pets that will tolerate the de-scaling and polishing that is needed to correct periodontal disease and gingivitis. This anesthetic is a small but necessary risk to any procedure. Therefore, it is far more preferable to prevent such an event than to conduct the event.
So in short, visit your veterinarian and have them take a look in your pet’s mouth. Get her or him to explain how to care for your pet’s mouth. With just a little effort you could make the time you have with your pet much longer and more enjoyable.