With Valentine's Day tomorrow, your pet may be expecting extra hugs and kisses. But maybe Fluffy's breath is keeping you from getting too close. You love Fido, but you don't want him to pant in your face because the smell is awful. What can you do?
Stinky breath is not normal for pets, and it is certainly not a healthy part of pet aging. There are different causes of halitosis in dogs and cats, but by far the most common is dental disease. Dental disease refers to all the abnormal medical conditions that occur in the mouth. By far, the most common involve the teeth and the structures to which they are attached.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. To increase awareness of the significance of this disease in pets, February has been named National Pet Dental Health Month.
So why worry about your pet's teeth? Many pet owners mistakenly believe that if their dog or cat is eating, his mouth must not be painful. This is, in fact, incorrect. Pets eat despite significant mouth pain because their instinct tells them they will die if they do not eat. A cat or dog does not know there is an option and that the pain can go away with proper dental care. We have every reason to believe that pets feel pain like we do.
In addition to oral discomfort, dental disease is important because it can affect the whole health of the pet. Infections in the mouth involve an ecosystem of very nasty bacteria. These bacteria spread from the mouth to other body systems via the bloodstream. Kidney, heart and liver are among the more commonly affected organs.
The first sign of pet dental disease is usually halitosis, or bad breath. The gums may be red, indicating gingivitis. You may notice some yellow-brownish staining on the teeth called tartar. Other teeth may be broken or abscessed. Sometimes abscessed teeth have pale pudding-like discharge at the gum line. This is actually a mixture of pus and bacteria draining from the infected tooth root into the mouth. Pressure from a tooth root abscess may be so intense that it ruptures out of the side of the face.
As dental disease progresses, structures that support the tooth become infected. Gums recede, teeth become loose, and the jawbone weakens. This puts the pet at risk for jaw fractures and oronasal fistulas. The latter occurs when a tooth in the upper jaw becomes so infected that the infection eats its way through to the nasal passage, thus creating a hole between the mouth and the nostril. This is especially common in dachshunds, but is seen in other dogs and cats as well. If left untreated, it can lead to aspiration of food and pneumonia.
Every pet should have its teeth checked by a veterinarian every year. This is usually part of the annual wellness examination. Symptoms such as excessive drooling, food dropping, pawing at the jaw, or discomfort of the face are reasons to have your pet's teeth checked more frequently.
Most dogs and cats need to have their teeth professionally cleaned every year. The goal is to perform this procedure early, before severe and irreversible signs of dental disease occur. This preventive approach is the healthiest for the pet and the most cost-effective for the owner.
Professional dental care is performed at a veterinary hospital. General anesthesia is required because pets do not lie quietly in a chair with their mouths open for dental work. This is very safe when performed properly. A breathing tube should be placed to administer gas anesthesia and to protect the lungs during the dental procedure. Just like a routine dental visit for people, the teeth would be scaled and polished, and the doctor would examine the whole mouth. Teeth would be gently probed, and the whole mouth would be charted. Any specific problems, such as periodontal disease or fractured teeth, could be addressed. Fluoride is often applied at the end of the procedure.
Home dental care is also very important. The gold standard is to brush your pet's teeth daily. Your veterinarian can teach you how. Another option is to feed a dental diet approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (these foods have the VOHC seal of approval on their bags). Ask your veterinarian for some recommendations.
Healthier pets make happier pets. If your furry friend could talk, he would tell you that gingivitis and fractured teeth hurt. It is always heartwarming to hear clients report the positive attitude change in their dog or cat after a dental procedure. With a little help, he will proudly show off his pearly whites again.
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Dr. Heidi Bassler is medical director of the Veterinary Center of Greater Newburyport. Do you have questions for Dr. Bassler? Send them to ndn@newburyportnews.com.
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