Periodontal Disease in Cats and Dogs

In cats and dogs, periodontal disease is unfortunately quite common, but the good news is that it is preventable in most cases. By age three, most cats and dogs display some signs of periodontal disease. But this varies based upon diet, genetics and breed. As a pet owner, bad breath is an obvious sign that your pet's teeth may need a cleaning. However, it is difficult to see the signs of the disease process at home, and often times dental cleaning comes too late to prevent the spread of serious periodontal disease or to save teeth. In veterinary medicine, periodontal disease is usually under-treated, may cause serious problems in your pet's mouth, and can also potentially cause damage to the older pet's heart, liver and kidneys.

Periodontal disease begins when plaque, a hard substance formed by bacteria, sticks to the surface of the teeth. To make things worse, minerals in the saliva harden the plaque into dental calculus, or tartar, which is firmly attached to the teeth like cement. Calculus and tartar above the gum line is obvious to many owners because it looks like cement. Veterinarians suggest hard treats and using preventive measures such as brushing your pet's teeth, or offering dental chews to help break up the calculus. However, preventive measures do not always do the job, and dental cleanings are recommended.

Periodontal disease develops as plaque and calculus spread under the gum line, where we cannot see it. Bacteria collect in this sub-gingival area, forming plaque that form toxins and damages the supporting tissues around the tooth, which if left untreated, can cause damage to the gums and tooth loss. Oral bacteria also negatively impacts your pet's immune system, weakening your pet's resistance to other diseases and viruses.

Periodontal disease includes gingivitis, or inflammed and red gums. Periodontitis, or the loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth, can also occur. There is a lot of variability in periodontal disease, and for cats and dogs, it cannot be properly evaluated or treated without general anesthesia. Damage to and loss of gum tissue and bone around the teeth can occur, development of holes, or "fistulas," running from the oral cavity into the nasal passages can cause nasal discharge. Also, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and can circulate throughout the body. Studies in dogs have shown that periodontal disease can cause microscopic changes in vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver.

Sources:
http://www.avdc.org/periodontaldisease
http://www.vohc.org/perio.htm
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=163

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February is Pet Dental Care Month - Do You Know the Differences in Dental Disease Between Pets and People?

Did you ever wonder if your pets have the same issues with their teeth as you do? Can my dog get cavities? Can my cat develop plaque or tartar buildup? Should they undergo professional cleanings just as I would?

To read more on this story, click here: February is Pet Dental Care Month - Do You Know the Differences in Dental Disease Between Pets and People?
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Purina Veterinary Exchange: Teaching Feline Dental Care

Just as with humans, feline dental care offers far more than a sweet smile and fresh breath: It's actually an important component for good overall health and for quality of life, says Susan Little, DVM, Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Feline), and President of the Winn Feline Foundation. Why?

To read more on this story, click here: Purina Veterinary Exchange: Teaching Feline Dental Care FOLLOW US!

Coolridge Animal Hospital - Your Pet's Health is Our Top Priority!

At Coolridge Animal Hospital it is our commitment to provide the highest quality medicine,and exceed your client service expectations. If at anytime we don't exceed your expectations please contact our Practice Manager Stephanie to discuss your concerns.

Our Bi-annual Wellness exams are designed as an important preventative measure to ensure your pets live a healthy happy life for many years to come.

Your Pet's Health is Our Top Priority

When you bring your pet in for the twice-yearly comprehensive checkup, he or she will receive a nose-to-tail exam. This entails an examination of all your pet's major body systems to help ensure that they are working normally. Because your pet can't tell you what's wrong, your veterinarian relies on regular examinations, as well as your observations, to determine his or her overall pet health.

Skin & Coat

Your veterinarian will begin the physical part of the pet checkup by examining your pet's skin and coat. This is important because the skin and coat are indicators of your pet's overall health.

Nose & Mouth

Your veterinarian will examine your pet's nose for any abnormal appearance or discharge, before examining the inside of your pet's mouth to look at dental health and check for abnormal masses or swelling. This helps to detect any signs of periodontal disease, since dental health is an important contributor to pet health.

Heart & Lungs

Your veterinarian will use a stethoscope to listen to your pet's heart and lungs to check for heart murmurs and abnormal lung sounds. If your pet is due for any routine vaccinations or laboratory work, your veterinarian will take care of these needs during the pet checkup. Older pets may also have blood tests to check their kidneys, liver and other internal organs.

Eyes & Ears

When examining your pet's eyes, your veterinarian will check for discharge, redness, irregular or abnormal response to light and examine the optic nerve in the back of the eye. He or she will examine the ear flap, deep ear canals and ear drums for any abnormal smells, redness, the presence of infection, parasites such as ear mites, growths or tumors.

Legs & Joints

Your veterinarian will manipulate and feel your pet's legs, joints, abdomen and anal sacs to check for any unusual reactions, such as the appearance of pain or abnormal lumps. If a stool sample is available, your veterinarian will also perform tests to check for parasites. This process is an important part of dog and cat health.

Coolridge Animal Hospital
6801 Old Branch Avenue
Camp Springs, Maryland  20784
(301) 449-1610
Email: coolridgeah@gmail.com
Website: http://www.coolridgeah.com

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Did You Know that Gum Disease is the Most Common Disease Occurring in Pet Dogs and Cats?

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), says that periodontal disease (gum disease) is the most common disease occurring in pet dogs and cats.

Cause

The cause of gum disease is the same in cats and dogs as it is in people.

Gum disease is an infection resulting from build-up of soft dental plaque on the surfaces of the teeth around the gums. The bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue if plaque is allowed to accumulate, which often leads to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth.

Hard dental tartar (calculus) consists of calcium salts from saliva deposited on plaque. Tartar starts to form within a few days on a tooth surface that is not kept clean, and provides a rough surface that enhances further plaque accumulation. Once it has begun to grow in thickness, tartar is difficult to remove without dental instruments.

Effects

Bad breath is the most common effect noted by owners. However, this is often only the tip of the iceberg.

The gums become irritated, leading to bleeding and oral pain, and your cat or dog may lose its appetite or drop food from its mouth while eating.

The roots may become so severely affected that some teeth become loose and fall out.

Bacteria surrounding the roots gain access to the blood stream ("bacteremia"). Studies have shown that dogs with severe periodontal disease have more severe microscopic damage in their kidneys, heart muscle and liver than do dogs with less severe periodontal disease.

Management

The key to management of gum disease (for humans or pets!) is prevention. As long as the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned frequently, the gums will stay healthy.

Excellent oral health is maintained by daily oral hygiene. The gold standard is brushing. Daily chewing activities can also be effective in maintaining oral health.

Daily use of products that have been awarded the VOHC Seal will help to keep your pet’s teeth clean and the gum tissues and bone around the roots healthy.

VOHC recommends periodic veterinary examination of the mouth and teeth of your dog or cat. Many pets, particularly middle-aged and older cats and dogs, require periodic professional scaling in addition to on-going plaque control.





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