Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Importance of 'Bucal Hygiene'


We came to visit the ranch. Mommy Patsy, Daddy Devin, my little sister dog Olive and I. Once here, Mommy Patsy took me to the Veterinarian. I was going there for a 'tune-up'. I heard Mommy Patsy tell Daddy Grandpa this.

At the vet, they shaved my arm, they poked me with a
big needle and then....lights out. Who knows what
they did to me. At first I did not know, but then I did...when I woke up! My head hurt. My tummy hurt. My feet hurt. My mouth hurt.

Now, I am taking medicine for 'the infection' and 'the pain'. At least that is what Mommy Patsy says.

So I heard that at the vet's, they trimmed my nails, they cleaned my teeth, they removed two teeth that went bad (thus the purpose of this article), the
y 'put-me-under' with anesthesia and, there you have it...that is why I ached all over...

So, take care of your dogs and cats. Don't let their teeth go bad because...it hurts! But, I did get a free toothbrush and free toothpaste too! I drew them here:

I got online and researched bucal hygiene (oral hygiene, hygiene of the mouth) and this is what I found out at wisegeek.com:

"Poor oral hygiene in pets is more serious than most pet owners realize. Roughly 70-80 percent of cats and dogs develop periodontal disease by the time they are three years old. That’s a significant figure, especially, since poor oral hygiene is also linked to shorter life span.

The first stage of poor oral hygiene in pets is, typically, the accumulation of plaque near the gums. Otherwise known as gingivitis, this condition can be treated, but animals will likely require teeth cleaning, with anesthesia, in order to scrape off the plaque. Signs of gingivitis can be evident through an examination of the animal’s mouth. A red line along the base of the teeth, instead of the bright pink color that signifies a healthy mouth, is an indicator of gingivitis.

Gingivitis is actually a bacterial infection. When left untreated, the bacteria begin to move under the gum line, infecting the teeth at their roots. This is periodontal disease, and it has numerous symptoms. These include bad breath, excessive drooling, yellow or brown tartar deposits on the teeth, red gums, and loose or missing teeth.

Periodontal disease is not curable, but it can be treated. Treatment generally involves extractions of severely infected teeth, regular cleaning appointments, and antibiotics to help reduce the infection. If left untreated, the infection can enter the blood stream where it can cause damage to the liver, heart, and kidneys.

Poor oral hygiene in pets can be forestalled with a few steps. Dry food is always best for cats and dogs. Wet food and people food actually helps plaque develop more quickly. Dry food, conversely, should help keep a pet's teeth from developing significant plaque.

Poor oral hygiene in pets can also be avoided, or at least diminished, by making tooth brushing routine. This can be challenging with an older animal that is not used to it. Tooth brushing habits should start early, using a bit of gauze to wipe the teeth, so the pet gets used to activity.

Once the pet has this down, buy a pet size toothbrush and pet toothpaste. Do not use people toothpaste as this can make your pet sick. Try to brush at least once a week, although three to five times a week is ideal."