Dental Disease In Pets: How To Spot It, Prevent It, And Treat It Early
Dental disease in pets is very common in cats, dogs and exotic pets. Dental disease is recorded in around 80 – 90% of dogs that are over three years old! Here at Valley Vet Care, we know that it can be difficult to check inside the mouth your of pets at home. This means that it’s often not promptly treated or prevented. But, don’t worry! There are a few things that you can do to help with dental disease in pets at home.
What Is Dental Disease In Pets?
Dental Disease refers to disease of the teeth, gums and mouth. Some of the common problems in dental disease in pets such as dogs and cats can include:
- Plaque and tartar. This is a build up of bacteria and food that often starts as plaque formation. Eventually, it develops into thicker tartar that usually appears as brown deposits on the teeth. It’s common for older animals to have more tartar.
- Gingivitis. This is an inflammation of the gums. It can appear red or even bleed
- Cracked or fractured teeth. This usually occurs due to trauma like chewing bones, for example. If the sensitive part of the tooth is exposed it can be painful for your pet. It’s also likely for an infection to get in.
- A tooth root abscess. This refers to an infection around the tooth root which can cause swelling on your pet’s face.
- Retained milk/baby teeth. If these teeth do not naturally fall out in the puppy or kitten stage then food can become lodged between overcrowded teeth. This can sometimes lead to infection
- Overcrowding of teeth. This is sometimes common in certain breeds and again lead to infection.
- Viral infections (cats). Cat flu viruses, feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus can cause inflammation of the gums and mouth and even lead to diseased teeth.
- Resorptive lesions (cats). Sometimes holes can develop in teeth which causes them to snap. This leaves a tooth root behind which can be very painful and sometimes even difficult to see.
Rabbits and rodents, including guinea pigs, have teeth that continually grow and need to be worn down evenly to prevent dental problems. Dental problems are commonly seen in these animals and if left, can be very painful. Feeding the correct diet with plenty of fibre is crucial to preventing dental disease in pets. For example, it’s recommended for hay to make up between 80-90% of their diet.
Signs Of Dental Disease In Pets
You should see your vet if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Yellow/brown deposits on the teeth (tartar)
- Inflamed or bleeding gums
- Drooling
- Struggling with dry food
- Head shaking
- Pawing at face
- Chewing on one side of the mouth or dropping food
- Facial swelling
- Reduction in grooming
- Eye/nasal discharge. This is seen more commonly in rabbits.
- Poor appetite (this often indicates severe dental disease, many animals will continue to eat despite painful dental problems)
Preventing Dental Disease In Pets
- Tooth brushing. Brushing daily to to remove plaque has been proven to be the best way to prevent dental disease in pets. We recommend starting when your cat or dog is young with specific pet toothbrushes and pet toothpaste. Human toothpaste is toxic. This can be challenging in some cases and if you feel unsafe then other preventative measures can be used. However, even brushing once a week can have a huge positive impact several years later!
- Water and food additives. There are pet-safe products available and we are happy to advise which product would be most appropriate for your pet. Just ask your vet!
- Dental toys and chews. Encourage your pet to chew to remove plaque and tartar. We recommend supervising your pets and ensure that you to take into account the calories in dental chews.
- Diet. We recommend a quality diet for cats and dogs. Some reports show that dry biscuits can help. Choosing the correct diet for rabbits and rodents is essential to ensure healthy teeth.
- Vet checks. Attending regular examinations with your vet will help identify any early signs of dental disease in pets.
Dental Treatments
Treatment for dental disease varies based on the problem and between patients. We often recommend a scale and polish to clean teeth (including beneath the gumline). This requires a general anaesthetic which allows us to accurately and safely perform this. The procedure removes tartar and often prevents more severe dental disease in the future. Your vet or nurse can advise you on if this is needed.
For more severe cases of dental disease in pets, we offer tooth extractions and additional procedures if needed. This also requires an anaesthetic and can be a complex procedure depending how many teeth are extracted.
Get In Touch With Valley Vet Care
Our price list is available on our website. Get in touch with us to book an appointment with a vet or nurse for get a more tailored estimate for your pet.
