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                                     FEBRUARY  IS  NATIONAL  PET  DENTAL  MONTH

Wyandotte Animal Hospital is offering free dental consultations and 10% off of all dental cleanings in the month of February!

Bad breath in a dog is often dismissed simply as "doggy breath."  In fact, it may signal periodontal disease, which is the most common ailment suffered by dogs and cats over 3 years old.  Preventing periodontal disease can result in longer, healthier lives for pets.  February has been designated National Pet Dental Month by the American Veterinary Medical Society, the American Veterinary Dental Society and Hill's Pet Nutrition.
 
Unfortunately, dental care is often ignored by owners.  One survey notes that just 1 out of 10 owners makes sure their pets' teeth are cared for.  Although dogs and cats rarely get cavities, the plaque and tartar that do form can cause gingivitis and periodontal disease.  This can lead to tooth decay, bleeding gums and tooth loss. The bacteria that causes all this can travel through the bloodstream and eventually damage the major organs.  Proper pet dental care begins with a trip to the veterinarian for a dental exam, which should be done once a year. If your veterinarian sees plaque or tartar buildup, a cleaning may be necessary.                                

 WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS FOR PERFORMING A DENTAL PROCEDURE?

A dental cleaning should be performed on your pet when gingivitis (red area along the gum lines) is seen or bleeding during brushing is noted. Many pets get their teeth cleaned once a year. A yearly cleaning is not necessarily appropriate for all pets. Diet, chewing behavior and preventative care (daily tooth brushing) are among the important factors affecting the potential of your pet getting dental disease and how fast dental disease can progress.
 
Larger breed dogs, who often eat only dry food and do a fair amount of recreational chewing, are not as prone to periodontal disease as are smaller dogs. Small dogs have more crowding of their teeth, are less likely to be eating only dry food and do less recreational chewing, all of which lead to increased risk of periodontal disease. Any damage of either the tooth or gums along the gum line will increase the likelihood of periodontal disease. 

                     Use the chart below to see where your pet fits in.                    

 

Stage 0   Normal Healthy Teeth and Gums
Stage 1 Mild Gingivitis and Plaque   The margin of attached gums is inflamed and swollen.  Plaque and tartar are present. Dental cleaning recommended within a month to remove buildup and prevent progression of dental disease.  Follow up with dental home care.
Stage 2 Moderate Gingivitis   Entire gum is inflamed and swollen.  The mouth is painful and odor is noticeable.  Tooth roots have lost 25% of their attachment. Dental cleaning needed as soon as possible followed by a home dental care plan.
Stage 3 Severe Gingivitis   The gums are cherry red and bleeding, damaged by infection and calculus.  Sore mouth and foul breath are evident. A dental cleaning is recommended immediately to remove calculus, along with antibiotics and pain medications.  Extractions are likely.
Stage 4 End Stage Periodontal Disease   Chronic infection is destroying the teeth, bone, and gums.  Bacteria are constantly circulating throughout the body and can cause heart, liver, and kidney problems. Pain is constant.  Dental cleaning is immediately needed.  Extractions, antibiotics and pain medications will be necessary.

                                   WHAT PREOPERATIVE EXAMINATIONS OR TESTS ARE NEEDED?

A proper dental procedure for your pet requires him to be placed under general anesthesia. Prior to such a procedure, your veterinarian should perform a complete physical examination. Some basic blood tests, including evaluation of liver and kidney function and red and white blood cell counts, may also be done before an anesthetic procedure. If there is any concern of kidney disease, a urinalysis should also be part of the work-up. Concerns about heart function, such as the presence of a heart murmur, may need to be addressed.

                                                        WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS NEEDED?

Your pet needs to be under general anesthesia for a dental procedure for several reasons. A complete examination and cleaning of all teeth cannot be performed efficiently and safely (for both your pet and the veterinarian) if your pet is awake. Any tooth extractions that may be necessary most definitely require an anesthetized patient. Even the most routine dental cleaning is a fairly wet procedure and our pets are not very good at the "rinse and spit" aspect of dentistry. 

                                        HOW IS THE DENTAL PROCEDURE DONE?
After your pet has been placed under general anesthesia, your veterinarian will examine all of the teeth and gums. An ultrasonic scaler will be used to remove plaque build-up and tartar. After all the tartar and plaque has been removed, the teeth are polished with a special tooth polish and an antispetic solution is applied to the teeth and gums. 

                                                      WHAT IS THE TYPICAL POSTOPERATIVE CARE?

Care for your pet after a dental procedure depends on the extensiveness of the procedure. Special care is usually not required after a simple cleaning. If tooth extractions or advanced periodontal treatment was performed, feeding special food, administering antibiotics and using an oral rinse may be reccommended while healing occurs. Afterwards, it is important to begin a home dental program. Brushing routinely with pet toothpaste is highly recommended.  (This is easier done when you start your pet when they are young, so he or she is used to brushing.) Nutritional supplements and specially formulated foods designed to remove buildup is also effective. Look for the "Seal of Acceptance of the Veterinary Oral Health Council" on foods to determine if they meet the defined standards for plaque and tartar control or ask your veterinarian.

TO HELP WITH HOME CARE AFTER YOUR PET'S DENTAL CLEANING (THIS MONTH ONLY), WE ARE INCLUDING A FREE PET TOOTHBRUSH OR FINGERBRUSH, A FREE SAMPLE OF PET TOOTHPASTE, AND A FREE SAMPLE OF HILL'S PRESCRIPTION DIET T/D!   

                                         CALL US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!