A Healthy Mouth Means a Happier Dog or Cat

Just as humans require dental care, so do our dogs and cats.

 The best way to prevent dental disease and “bad dog breath” (or cat), is by brushing our pet’s teeth every day.  This is often a big ask from our clients, but long-term it could help prevent oral pain to your pet, stinky breath, and save your wallet from dental cleanings every year or two!

Firstly, there are many options for the type of toothbrush you can buy for brushing your pet’s teeth.  From standard looking toothbrushes, to smaller ones that are easier to use for cats and small dogs, to finger brushes, to using a soft cloth over your finger (you may need to try out a few to see what works best for you and your pet). 

Next is adding in the toothpaste, many vet clinics and pet stores sell suitable pastes, often coming in flavours your dog or cat will find appealing, though you might not; ranging from chicken to beef to malt.

Next is getting your cat or dog to be a willing participant in their oral hygiene, sometimes easier said than done but here are some steps to guide you through this process:

·      Ensure you are in a comfortable and safe space with your pet, and begin by lifting their lips and getting you used to handling them around their mouth and face. 

·      Next you can try using your finger or a toothbrush and touching their teeth with it in various locations around the mouth, having them get used to each touch. 

·      Use treats and praise each time your pet allows you to progress and it will make it a good experience for them!

·      Each step may take a few practices to get there, don’t be in a rush as building your pet’s confidence and comfort is going to be important for long-term success.

·      Another good tip when wanting to start with toothpaste and get your pet used to the toothbrush is to use something like peanut butter as the toothpaste initially as many dogs may love that, cats could always try tuna juice.

·      Lastly, add in the toothpaste you want to use and get brushing those teeth.

If at the start you can only do a couple teeth, that’s great!  Every little bit helps for your pet’s oral health.  We often see dental staining and tartar build up on those big back teeth and their canines, but try your best to brush all their teeth every day for the greatest benefits.

What if you are unable to brush your pet’s teeth, or they already have tartar, staining, gingivitis or other dental disease? 

This is when you pet should come in for an assessment of their mouth and have a discussion with your veterinarian about next steps.  Most frequently a dental cleaning under general anesthetic will be recommended.  This allows the veterinarian to safely and fully assess your pet’s mouth and carefully chart any abnormalities found.  From there, full mouth dental x-rays are performed to assess any abnormalities or disease under the gums.  From there if any teeth need to be extracted that can be performed, as well as a thorough scale and polish of their teeth.

If you have any concerns about your pet’s oral health, reach out and we would be happy to discuss the options and best way forward for you and your dog or cat!

Dr. Hillary

Do you brush your dog's teeth?

This post was written by our own Dr. Mel Cirinna and originally posted on our sister hospital's blog at www.woodlawnvet.ca. Your dog's teeth are very important, and we wanted to share the story of Cora here, too!

Can you guess how old the owner of these teeth is?

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“Cora” is a surprising 8.5 years old with the teeth of a young pup!  Her beautiful teeth speak volumes about her overall health. Good oral hygiene is extremely important to the health of our pets.  Without proper oral hygiene plaque will begin to accumulate on the teeth.  Over time the plaque hardens into tartar.  The presence of plaque and tartar accumulating below the gum line leads to inflammation of the gingiva called gingivitis.  As the level of dental disease progresses we can have attachment loss which appears as loose teeth, a receding gum line and pain.  In addition to the oral signs of dental disease, dental disease can also lead to a condition known as bacteremia where bacteria are found within the blood stream.  The presence of bacteremia can result in disease of the heart, kidneys and liver which are all involved in moving and filtering the blood.  We can help our pets to have great oral health by following a good home oral hygiene routine.

Oral hygiene routines include brushing and a prescription dental diet.  Cora’s teeth are brushed on a regular basis using toothpaste specifically formulated for pets.  The toothpaste even has a great chicken flavor that she loves! Brushing should last about 1 minute and be performed on a daily basis.  While it is easiest to train a puppy or kitten to accept brushing, older dogs and cats can also learn to enjoy this grooming routine.  In addition to regular brushing, Cora also receives a prescription dental diet.  Prescription dental diets work as both a toothpaste and a toothbrush.  Many pets swallow their kibble whole with minimal to no chewing action.  Prescription dental diets are formulated with large kibble that cannot be swallowed whole.  Pets have to chew the kibbles which act as a “brush” to remove plaque from the tooth surface.  Prescription diets also contain enzyme formulations to prevent plaque from sticking to the tooth surface, similar to toothpaste.

We encourage you to bring your pet in for an oral health assessment so we can help your pet to have pearly whites just like Cora.

Healthy mouth = healthy pet!

At GLVH, we believe that veterinary medicine is as much about preventative care as it is about treatment of pet illnesses. One of the best ways to help maintain your pet's basic health is to ensure that their mouths and teeth are healthy. Thank you to Dr. Melissa Cirinna for this post explaining what to watch for, treatments options and preventative options!

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Does your pet show any of these signs?

Stinky Breath                         
Excessive Drooling
Dropping Kibble                    
Avoiding Hard Foods
Pawing at the Mouth            
Loss of Teeth
Changes in Behaviour 

...If so, they may be part of the 75% of cats and dogs that suffer from dental disease.
     Dental disease begins with the accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Over time the plaque hardens into tartar which aggravates the gums causing gingivitis.  Gingivitis is painful inflammation of the gums, we see it as red, inflamed gums that may bleed when touched.  With time, gingivitis will progress to periodontal disease.  Signs of periodontal disease include tooth loss, infection and pain.  Periodontal disease can also lead to bacteremia.  Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood.  Bacteremia can lead to heart, kidney and liver disease.  
     Thankfully periodontal disease is preventable through good oral hygiene routines.  Good oral health starts with puppies and kittens who should be introduced to daily brushing as part of their early training.  In addition to brushing, pets should be fed a diet specifically formulated to keep plaque accumulation to a minimum and mechanically remove tartar build-up.  Chewing on toys and treats can also help, but exercise caution, toys can be too hard.  Take the knee cap test, if you would not be comfortable hitting the toy against your knee cap, then your pet shouldn't be chewing on it.  Avoid bones and hard nyla bones.  Visit the Veterinary Oral Health Council site for a list of treats, food and products that have met their standards maintaining oral health.  
     What if your pet already shows signs of dental disease, is it too late? Of course not!  The first step for cats and dogs with signs of oral disease is a thorough veterinary exam. After examination the veterinarian may recommend a dental prophylaxis and examination under general anesthesia.  During the dental prophylaxis and examination the veterinarian will thoroughly examine your pet's mouth and document any signs of disease including gingivitis, loose teeth, abscesses, gingival recession, root exposure and fractures. All teeth will be scaled to remove tartar build-up and polished.  Diseased teeth, loose teeth or fractured teeth will be extracted to remove any source of pain or infection.  After a dental prophylaxis the veterinary team will help you to begin an at home plan that includes brushing and an appropriate diet to maintain the health of your pet's mouth.

Speak with your veterinary team today to book your pets' free oral health assessment!