The oral cavity contains large amounts of bacteria that get embedded in the gingival and are pushed up under the gum line by tartar. Unattended, this environment causes gingival swelling (gingivitis). Abnormal amounts of bacteria and tartar also lead to bad breath (halitosis). As the condition progresses and the gums get more inflamed, they become sensitive and bleed. The bacteria then seep into the bloodstream where they can colonize and cause disease in the heart, liver, and/or the kidneys.

Signs of dental disease include bad breath, red swollen gums, a yellow brown crust near the gum line, loose or missing teeth, discomfort when the mouth or gums are touched, and decreased appetite with resulting weight loss. Routine exams either annually or biannually are a great way to detect early problems. Your veterinarian can alert you to specific problems and make recommendations to prevent decay and tooth loss. Large dogs generally require teeth cleanings every other year, whereas small dogs will require annual teeth cleanings to maintain optimal oral health. Owners should contact your local veterinarian for an exam and specific recommendations regarding your pet.

Is there anything I can do at home?

Prevention of dental disease is possible by following this four-step process. First, regular dental checkups and exams for your pet is a must. Your veterinarian can detect early disease, fractured teeth, retained teeth and also oral growths or tumors. They will also be able to stage your pet’s periodontal disease.

Secondly, brushing at home on a regular basis helps to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Be sure to use only a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for pets.

Third, feeding your pet dry food and treats mechanically helps keep tartar away. Dental diets are specifically designed to be very hard and require the pet to chew more thus creating an abrasive effect on the teeth that will keep the tartar from adhering.

Lastly, there are many new products designed to help keep tartar and plaque from building up. There is a new vaccine that can be given by your veterinarian that will aid in the prevention of canine periodontits. The vaccine works by decreasing the amount of bacteria in the oral cavity and gums, therefore decreasing underlying bone destruction. It works best with regular teeth cleanings and home care. A new type of sealant is also available that seals the teeth and keeps destructive bacteria from gaining access to the gum line. It is applied to the gum line surface of the teeth on a weekly basis. Your pet would need a dental cleaning before using this product.

February is national pet dental health awareness month and Argyle Veterinary Hospital is offering a special on our routine dental procedures and a bag of samples of some of the products to try at home. Please call our office promptly to set up your dental exam and/or procedure.

Call for February's Dental Discount Information

SCORE DESCRIPTION
1. POOR: Emaciated. Prominent vertebrae, ribs, tailhead and hooks (the bony structures on each side below the tail) and pins (the point of the hip).

2. VERY THIN: Emaciated. Slight fat covering over the base of the vertebrae. Prominent vertebrae, ribs, tailhead and hooks and pins. Withers, shoulders and neck structures faintly noticeable.

3. THIN: Fat build up about halfway on vertebrae. Slight fat cover over ribs. Vertebrae and ribs easily noticeable. Tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones appear rounded, but easily noticeable. Pin bones not distinguishable. Withers, shoulders and neck accentuated.

4. MODERATELY THIN: Negative crease along back. Faint outline of ribs noticeable. Tailhead prominence depends on conformation; fat can be felt around it. Hook bones not noticeable. Withers, shoulders and neck not obviously thin.

5. MODERATE: Back is level. Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily palpated. Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy. Withers appear rounded, shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body.

6. MODERATE TO FLESHY: May have slight crease down back. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Fat around tailhead feels soft. Fat beginning to deposit along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulders and along the sides of the neck.

7. FLESHY: May have crease down back. Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat deposits along withers, behind shoulders and along sides of the neck.

8. FAT: Crease down back. Difficult to palpate ribs. Fat around tailhead very soft. Area around withers filled with fat. Area behind shoulder filled in flush. Noticeable thickening of neck. Fat deposits along inner buttocks.

9. EXTREMELY FAT: Obvious crease down back. Patchy fat appearing over ribs. Bulging fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders and along neck. Flank filled in flush.

February is " Dental Health " Month animals need dental exams too- ask about our specials

What every owner should know about Parasites.

Dogs and cats of any age get roundworms and hookworms, but they are most vulnerable when they are very young.

You may already have heard that worms often infect puppies and kittens as well as older pets. The most common types of these parasitic worms are ROUNDWORMS and HOOKWORMS. They are both Intestinal parasites. They live and grow inside the intestine of your pet. Roundworms and hookworms develop from eggs into larvae (immature worms) The larvae later mature into adult worms.

ANCYLOSTOMIASIS ( hookworm infection)

Hookworms are relatively common intestinal parasites of dogs, cats, and other animals. Adult worms live in the small intestine, and their eggs pass out with the stool. Diagnosis is by identifying the eggs during microscopic examination of the stool.

Animals become infected with worms by eating infective eggs or larvae, penetration of the skin or footpads by larvae, or transmission of larvae from the mother while the fetus is still in the uterus.

HOOKWORMS are one of the most serious intestinal parasites, as they feed on the blood of their host animal and can cause severe anemia.

PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE

Hookworms larvae can penetrate human skin and cause a skin disorder known as cutaneous larval migrans or creeping eruption. This infection is not common, but anyone who develops a skin rash after being in contact with a pet with hookworms should consult a physician.