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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This Pit Bull is 17-Months-Old, and Already Weighs Over 173 Pounds: Appropriately, His Named is Hulk

If you already thought pit bulls looked intimidating, just wait until you meet what possibly might be the world's biggest pit bull.

This dog is a mere seventeen months old, but he already weighs in at over 173 lbs -- and appropriately, he's named Hulk.

Canine breeders Dark Dynasty K9s have documented the American Pit bull terrier's life on their website, as well as Facebook and Instagram. Their most recent YouTube video of Hulk hitting the scale got more than 1.2 million views in just one week.

Though the breed is sometimes considered dangerous (the pooches are actually illegal in the UK), the New Hampshire-based Dark Dynasty K9s insists all their dogs are calm, balanced, family-friendly pets.

Pit bull owners understandably rail against the negative stereotypes, and the ASPCA https://www.aspca.org/adopt/truth-about-pit-bulls urges people to remember that, like humans, dogs have different personalities.

"All dogs, including pit bulls, are individuals. Treating them as such, providing them with the care, training and supervision they require, and judging them by their actions and not by their DNA or their physical appearance is the best way to ensure that dogs and people can continue to share safe and happy lives together." (Check out their official position statement here.)

Hulk is expected to continue to grow for another year or so. His breeder predicts he may get as heavy as 190 lbs!

Watch out Clifford ... there's a new big dog in town.

The Tale Behind the Cute Burrowing Owls That Went Viral During the Super Bowl

A photo of baby burrowing owls with excited expressions is stealing the hearts of social media users just as excited to see them. The photo went viral through the hashtag #Superb_Owl after wildlife refuge specialist Katie McVey posted the photo during the Super Bowl.

To read more on this story, click here: The Tale Behind the Cute Burrowing Owls That Went Viral During the Super Bowl

When Did Dogs Become Man's Best Friend?

Man's best friend may have been domesticated about 15,000 years ago, evolving from wolves around the time that humans were establishing their first settlements, new evidence suggests.

Using sophisticated 3D imaging to analyze several fossil skulls, a study in this week's Nature Scientific Reports found dogs emerged much more recently than previously thought. Other studies in recent years had suggested dogs evolved as early as 30,000 years ago, a period known as the late Paleolithic, when humans were hunter-gatherers.

To read more on this story, click here: When Did Dogs Become Man's Best Friend?