Dental Problems in Cats and Dogs

A worrying statistic of around 85% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years require Dental treatment. Our Pets teeth actually require regular cleaning as our own, but many pet owners admit to not giving their pets regular oral care. Unfortunately this lack of attention can lead to a build up of Dental Plaque which is the start of many problems such as Tartar, Gum Decay, Bad Breath and Peridontal disease.

Plaque is essentially bacteria, glycoproteins and amino acids which cover the surface of the tooth like a film. This is usually the start of halitosis. Gradually the minerals in the plaque form Tartar which is brownish, yellowish or greyish in colour. The first signs appear most commonly on the molars and the canine teeth and eventually end up throughout. Tartar provides a surface favourable to further bacteria and so with time the calculus builds up layer upon layer.

At this stage or even earlier the gum surrounding an affected tooth will become inflamed, red and sore. This is known as Gingivitis.

Inflammation of the gum in this way causes the gum to recede and this allows bacteria to track down between the tooth and gum towards the root.
As this happens pockets of bacteria collect,causing infection and the presence of Pus. It also causes the tooth's support to be destroyed and the root to become unstable and infected. This is known as Peridontal disease.

It doesn't bear thinking about how painful this would be for us! However, cats and dogs seem to tolerate the pain enough to continue eating which is often why owners believe it is not that bad.

The consequences of leaving teeth in this infected and painful state, is that bacteria can very easily pass in to the blood stream and affect organs in the body such as the kidneys.

What to look for
Lift your pets lips to visually see the teeth. Look for redness along the gums, tartar on the teeth and in severe cases pus.
You may notice your pet having difficulty eating, or eating on one side of their mouth.
Pawing at the mouth.
Blood tinged saliva.
Subdued behaviour.
Reduction in grooming themselves

What to do
If you are not sure our Nurses will give you a FREE dental health check and advice on prevention.
If you suspect a serious dental problem then you can book in to see your Vet for further advice on treatment.
Establish a home care routine. This may include: Brushing, Dry food, dental treats, oral hygiene gel, Mouth rinse, drinking water additive, or many others.

Don't be put off by any of these things especially the thought of brushing your pet's teeth if you think It will be difficult. We are here to help and will find the best thing to suit you and your animal!

Prevention

Prevention is better than cure as with a lot of things.
Ideally it is best to start an oral care routine at a young age, however many older pets will readily accept new things such as tooth brushing.

Brushing is the number One Best way to keep your dog or cat's teeth clean. Specially formulated pet toothpaste must be used as it doesn't foam in the mouth and can be swallowed without causing stomach irritation. We can demonstrate technique to you in a FREE Nurse clinic.

Diet. A dry diet is advisable when possible as the mechanical action of 'crunching' on the biscuits helps to keep teeth clean. If your pet seems to suffer with particularly bad teeth and other things such as brushing are not an option, then we would recommend a special dental diet. These are complete diets and are fed as normal but they have a larger size biscuit to ensure 'crunching' and also contain enzymes to capture salivary calcium attaching to teeth and building up in the Plaque.

Gels, mouth rinse and drinking water additives. These are all available to use and are advisable to complement brushing and dry diets. These are all very easy to use and are good when brushing is not tolerated. We can advise further on these products as necessary.

Dental Treats. These are also a good method of mechanically removing plaque from teeth. Both Cat and dog treats are available.

Treatment

If your pet has a degree of dental disease present and needs treatment advised by the vet, this will involve a procedure under General anaesthetic. An ultrasonic scaler is used to clean each individual tooth both the visible part and under the gum line. Each tooth is assessed to ensure it is healthy, if not then it may require removal. Once all teeth have been cleaned, assessed and removed if necessary then the teeth are polished with a paste using and electric polisher. This smoothes the surface of the tooth and prevents rapid reattachment of plaque. Following the General anaesthetic they usually go home the same day.

Antibiotics may be necessary before and/or after the procedure in cases where infection is present.

Dental awareness is really important and should not be overlooked. For further advice on anything here please don't hesitate to ask at the surgery.