Dental Disease - The Silent Killer
by Dr. Julie Brooks
Over the past 10 to 20 years there have been many great advances in veterinary care. One of the most important of these is the increasing awareness, recognition and treatment of dental disease in our pets.
Although overlooked by many as insignificant or 'something to keep an eye on', the truth is that dental disease is the commonest disease your pet is likely to be suffering from. Whilst not being as painful as a broken limb, animals with dental disease suffer chronic and acute pain from gum infections, broken teeth and bacterial spread through the circulation. This article takes a quick look at how dental disease affects pets and what you can do to prevent it in your pet.
The Signs of Dental Disease:
- Bad breath
- Brown discolouration of the teeth
- Cracked or worn teeth
- Variable appetite
- Drooling/Pawing at the mouth
- Pain when you touch the muzzle
- Bleeding gums
If your pet displays any of these signs then a visit to your vet for a check up is in order. However we also call dental disease the silent killer because many animals with severe problems won’t even appear to be ill. In fact, for an animal to stop eating from dental disease is the equivalent of it saying.
A staggering statistic is that around 80% of cats and dogs in Australia have dental disease. And most of these will be going about their daily lives normally. Except they have the kind of toothache you or I would be battering down the dentist’s door to fix.
Why Do Animals Not Show Pain?
Although it is difficult to be certain, we suspect that pets are secretive about pain because in the wild, any animal that shows a sign of weakness is in trouble! Also, because the onset of the problem is slow, most animals develop symptoms over a long period of time – making it very hard for you to recognise as you see your pet everyday.
But from our experience the way animals seem to get a new lease of life after dental treatment, there is no doubt that affected animals are merely suffering quietly.
When it's Left Too Late
Early dental disease can often be prevented or managed by simple daily brushing. All too often however, assessment is left too late. As a result the pet needs general anaesthetic for the vet to properly examine and treat the problem teeth because it is in too much discomfort to allow the mouth to be opened fully. Treatments can vary from a scale and polish right up to fillings and crowns in dogs!
Prevention of Dental Problems
Whatever the state of your pet's teeth, the bottom line is prevention is much better (not to mention cheaper, safer and easier) than cure. There are several simple ways in which you can keep your pet's teeth clean a
nd healthy.
1. Stop feeding your pet rubbish! - Many commercial pet foods are very high in fats and sugars. An animal fed only tins or pouches of wet food will be at a massively increased risk of dental problems (and obesity).
2. Start feeding your pet Hill's T/D. This food is a prescription diet that actively cleans your pet's teeth when they chew it.
3. Brush your pet's teeth once every day with doggie toothpaste. Do this from a young age wherever possible.
4. Rawhide chews and chew toys can help to keep a dog's teeth clean. (Bones are controversial and we see a great many fractured teeth due to feeding bones.)
All of the above products are available at Double Bay Vet Clinic so ask about them when you are next in.
Summary
When you last had toothache you probably got it sorted out fast. Our pets also suffer with toothache if an infection develops so why should they have to put up with it?
All too often they are unknowingly left to suffer in silence. So, put what you have learned in this article to good use and take the first step now. Does your pet have smelly breath? Can you see red gums or brown discoloration on your pet’s teeth when you lift up it’s gum? If so then it's almost certainly got dental disease.
If you are unsure about possible problems with your pet's teeth, Book an appointment with one of our vets today to get things fixed. You’ll be glad you did.
Section Links
How to brush your pet's teeth - article
How to brush your pet's teeth - video
Our Dental Service - Why Double Bay Vet Clinic are best for best dentistry