February Newsletter


 

     February is Dental Care Month.  It is important for pets, cats and dogs to have an oral exam at least once a year, preferably twice a year.  Some pets need dentals as often as twice yearly.  That seems often, but remember the aging factor.  For instance one chart states that a 1 year old cat is 18 in human terms, and a 2 year old cat is 25 years in human terms.  The same chart states that a 1 year old small dog is 15 in human terms and a 2 year old small dog is 23 in human terms.  Below is a general scale for pets and humans.
 

Cats                                                                 Dogs                                     
cat years       human terms                              dog years       human terms
 
1 yr                 18 yr                                           1 yr                 15 yr
2 yr                 25 yr                                           2 yr                 23 yr
8 yr                 48 yr                                           8 yr                 48 yr



A few statistics:

•  Kittens have their first 26 "baby" teeth at 2-3 weeks of age.  Their 30 permanent teeth begin erupting around 3 months of age.
• Cats have the fewest teeth of any common domestic mammal.
• Puppies develop their "baby" teeth at 2 weeks of age with their 42 permanent teeth starting to appear at 3 months of age.

Did you know?

     Oral disease, periodontal or gum disease caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar, has become the #1 health problem for both cats and dogs.  It's estimated that without proper dental care, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will show signs of oral disease by the age of three.

     Protection:

• A nutritious diet
• Chew treats recommended by your veterinarian
• Regular brushing at home
• Every 6 months or yearly dental checkups by your veterinarian

     Dry food provides adequate chewing exercise and gum stimulation.

     Small dogs often have trouble with crowding of the teeth in such a small mouth.  Small dogs often retain their deciduous (baby) teeth resulting in the adult teeth coming up in incorrect positions.  Owners of small dogs are often anxious concerning anesthetic and put off dental cleanings.  The tartar or calculi can build up so much that when it is removed, the teeth often fall out or need to be extracted.  These occurrences also happen to large dogs or dogs of any size and breed.


Periodontal Disease

Stage 1- begins with gingivitis- gum inflammation, redness, and bleeding

Stage 2- pockets begin to form between the tooth and the gum where bacteria and plaque can build up

Stage 3- the pockets get deeper and teeth have less tissue to hold onto.  The bone that holds the teeth in place begins to deteriorate resulting in bone loss

Stage 4- your pet's gums will be severely inflamed and they may lose more than 50% of the bone supporting their teeth- many teeth become loose.  Their teeth will be covered in ugly brownish tartar and the bacteria present can spread to internal organs.


Plaque and Tartar

Plaque-  Is the soft film made up of saliva, mucous, bacteria, and leftover food that builds up on the teeth's surface when they aren't brushed

Tartar- a hard substance made up of calcium and phosphorous that forms gum line when teeth aren't brushed.  It harbors and attracts more plaque and bacteria which can led to gum disease, gingivitis, halitosis and more.



Prevention

Brushing teeth
  Often brushing the teeth is more efective if the teeth are cleaned first

Treats or foods that help with dental tartar.
      TD..................................Prescription by veterinarian
     DH..................................Prescription by veterinarian
     Oral Care..........................Pet stores
     CET Chews.......................Veterinarians
     Greenies...........................Over the counter or pet stores
     Dental treats.....................Over the counter or pet stores
     Tooth paste and brushes.....Over the counter, pet stores or veterinarians (use pet tooth paste only)
 


Pet Dental Disease on the Decline

                       2005                                                  2006
tooth abscess     2636                                                  1994
root canal            779                                                    502
periodontal          3437                                                  2862
teeth cleaning    25019                                                 22012

Many of the dental procedures are covered by pet insurances.  There are several types of pet insurance companies to choose from.
 

Dental Offer

This year we are offering a discount to our clients. We will be giving a 10% discount on a straight dental. That does not include extractions, blood work, dental radiographs or any extra charges that ocurr during the dental procedure. We will honor this discount through the month of february. Please call soon to schedule an appointment as they will book up fast. This is a great time to get that dental done that you've put off for a while. After the dental would be a perfect time to get that pet toothpaste and brush ready for your new prevention regiment.