Betty and Molly!
Karoo's Korner
Karoo's Korner: Pet Dental Care
Alright, all you dogs and cats: show off those 'pearly whites'! Or, are they not so pearly? or white? When is the last time your human pack leader took you to the veterinarian for a dental check up? Didn't everybody love it when you had 'puppy breath'? But now when you pant near them, you get pushed away because it is worse than just 'dog breath' and they avoid your kisses. What's with that? Well, that foul, smelly breath could be a sign of dental disease!
Many of our pet parents may not realize it, but dental care is very important in maintaining our overall health.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), it is estimated that 80 % of dogs and cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three. Surveys show only 14% of dogs and 9% of cats get regular dental care. That means there are a lot of ghastly gums and tarnished teeth out there!
Periodontal disease (also called gum disease) is caused by the build up of food particles, plaque and tarter in the spaces between the gum and the base of the tooth. This accumulation leads to infection and inflammation that can lead to mouth pain, tooth loss and other disease problems. The beastly bacteria can get into our blood stream and act like little invaders to affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and even the nervous system. What a horrible situation!
Hey Pet Parents: you can brush up on our oral care by following three simple guidelines outlined by the AVDS. First, take us fuzzy kids in for a routine health check, including a careful examination of our teeth and gums, at least, once a year. Second, start an at-home routine. This could include oral rinses, special foods, chew toys, treats, as well as, you brushing our teeth (we would have a hard time holding the tooth brush because we don't have opposable thumbs?). Third, schedule regular dental cleanings. Remember, you humans brush your teeth several times daily and still have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist twice yearly. So don't be so surprised that we need frequent cleanings also!
Research indicates that proper dental health care can extend our life by two to five years! Don't you want to keep us around for as long as possible?
February is National Pet Dental Month. It is a good time for scheduling a routine exam and a dental cleaning, if needed. And many vets offer discounts on dental cleanings during the month! Have your pet parent call your pet vet to see what specials they may be offering!
Remember: just like general health issues, becoming aware of any problems before they become serious illnesses is as important to our health as it is to your own. So let's keep those pet mouths healthy and nice, so you will want to have kanine kisses again!!
Waggingly yours, Karoo
