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Tag Archives: dental

Designer Dogs Need Care Labels

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .
2 chihuahuas wearing winter hats

Many small dogs have mouths with crowded teeth or retained baby teeth necessitating the need for more frequent dental cleanings and care. 

Beware!  Designer dogs need to come with extra care labels.

Small dogs are cute and they don’t eat as much as a large dog, but they usually come with a multitude of other health issues.

Before selecting a small dog check into any potential disease issues that breed might have and get certified dogs when possible.

Plan on setting aside money for yearly dental work.  Many small dogs have mouths with crowded teeth or retained baby teeth necessitating the need for more frequent dental cleanings and care.

Small long- backed dogs like dachshunds often develop intervertebral disk disease and any short- legged dog with misshapen legs can have yet another set of developmental orthopedic issues.

Extra wrinkles tend to come with a milieu of dermatologic problems and cute smushy faced critters have breathing issues as well.

So, do your research and set up a savings account.

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Tags: backs, dental, dermatology, designer, dog, health, ortho, teeth, wrinkles .

Dental Cleaning and Gunky Teeth

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

 

cat brushing its own teeth with text that says "cavities...I fights them"

Unfortunately, dogs and cats can’t brush their own teeth. They need our help to maintain those pearly whites.

My pet just had a dental cleaning done and I’m seeing gunk on his teeth already.

Congratulations for completing the first step in dental care for your pet!

Unfortunately, the care doesn’t end there.  Home care is just as important as the cleanings.

Plaque begins to develop within 24 hours, tartar within 72 hours (3 days), and gingivitis can set in again as early as 2 weeks after a cleaning.

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to disrupt the bacterial biofilm that is responsible for the plaque development.

Even getting your pet accustomed to simply having your finger run across the teeth with some pet safe tooth paste is helpful.  Consult your veterinarian for proper brushing technique.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tags: cat, dental, dog, gunky, pet, teeth, toothbrush, toothpaste .

Pet Dental Month

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .
cat looking at a dog's mouth

“Trust me, I’m a dentist”

February is dental month for pets!

Don’t be fooled.

Pets that are overweight and pets that still appear to be eating well can have terrible dental disease. Gently flip up your pets lip to check the teeth on a regular basis.

Keep in mind that some pets that resist this procedure may have inflammation of their gums and touching their mouth may be painful.

 

 

Signs of dental disease in cats and dogs include:

  • Yellow or brown crust (tartar) on teeth
  • Bleeding gums (or inflammation of the gums)
  • Drooling
  • Bad breath
  • Tooth loss
  • Refusal to eat or difficulty chewing

 

Your local veterinarian has a wealth of information on dental disease so don’t hesitate to make an appointment and have your pet checked out.

 

 

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Tags: cat, dental, dog, pet, tooth, veterinarian .

What dental treats actually work?

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .
VOHC Seal

Look for the VOHC stamp of approval on dental home care products.

What dental treats actually work for decreasing plaque and tartar in my pet’s mouth?

If you are trying to improve the quality of your pet’s mouth, skip the box of bone shaped  treats. Studies have been done to show that both rawhide chews and Greenies can reduce plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth.

There are some treats specifically designed for cats as well, if they are so inclined to oblige you with a trial.

For a list of pet dental products that have been shown to reduce plaque and tartar visit www.vohc.org and look for their stamp of approval on dental home care products.

Visit your local veterinary office for more tips on oral care in dogs and cats.

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Tags: cat, dental, dog, pet, pets, treat, treats, VOHC .

Pet Dental Health Month – Pet foods to help pet’s teeth

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education, Uncategorized .
February is National Pet Dental Month

February is National Pet Dental Month

Do they make pet foods designed to help keep my dog’s and cat’s teeth clean?

Yes! Research shows that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs will have some form of dental disease by the age of two years. Sticky plaque build up is the number one cause of periodontal (dental) disease.

Hill’s Science Diet T/D and Purina ProPlan’s DH are both prescription dental foods that are designed to reduce plaque and tartar when fed as the sole diet.  The larger unique kibble size is designed to scrape the tooth as it is chewed. Additionally the kibble breaks down more slowly in the pet’s mouth allowing for even more chewing and scraping action.

These foods are formulated to be fed to most adult or senior pets, but consult with your  veterinarian to make sure this is a good choice for your particular pet.

 

 

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Tags: cat, dental, dog, palque, pet, pet food, pets, tartar .

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