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Haile Plantation Animal Clinic
www.haileanimalclinic.com
Did you know that 50-85% of dogs and cats over the age of three have significant periodontal disease that requires veterinary treatment? So to keep your pet’s teeth pearly white and their breath “kissable,” we recommend the following six steps:
1. Start with a thorough exam, dental cleaning and oral exam usually performed under general anesthesia, by your veterinarian. Many dental problems such as abscesses, infection and abnormal growths or tooth fractures cannot be detected without your animal being sedated. This one step alone can greatly decrease pain and discomfort that you may never have known was affecting your pet on a daily basis.
2. Tooth Brushing - Nothing surpasses daily tooth brushing for best maintaining your pet’s teeth. Try for 30 seconds to one minute on each side of the mouth per day. Brush at a 45- degree angle on outside surfaces - the tongue will mostly keep the inside surfaces clean.
3. Diet - There are many dry food diets designed to maintain oral health by gently scraping the surface of the tooth as your animal chews.
4. Treats and Chew Toys - Rawhide treats, especially those treated with sodium hexametaphosphate, can greatly reduce plaque and tartar build-up, as can some treats. But be careful not to give too many - they can add significant calories to your pet’s diet. Also, certain hard bones and other materials (such as rocks and sticks) can cause painful slab fractures - so avoidance is the best prevention.
5. Rinses and Sprays - Other products such as rinses, sprays and gels are available for those pets who will not tolerate tooth brushing. They contain a substance called chlorhexidine gluconate, which helps kill the bacteria that create dental disease and “doggie breath.”
6. Antibiotics - “Pulse therapy” antibiotics can be administered the first five days of each month to pets with advanced periodontal disease. This should be considered as an aid, not a replacement for home therapy. Your veterinarian may also prescribe antibiotics for a few days before and following a dental cleaning.
It’s best to start home dental care programs when your pet is a puppy or kitten, to get them used to the idea, but it’s never too late to get started. Just make it a fun routine - you’ll both benefit from his fresher breath!
For more information, contact , (352) 377-6003, 5231 SW 91st Drive (Located in Haile Village Center) or online at www.haileanimalclinic.com.
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