Pet Dental Health

Your pet requires specialized dental care from your veterinarian, in addition to care at home from you. By the age of three, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show symptoms of oral diseases. The American Veterinary Dental Society advocates the pet owners to keep track of three basic steps. In case you suspect a problem, take the pet to a veterinarian for a dental exam instead of waiting for an annual checkup. Another step involves removing plaque regularly from your pet's teeth. Finally, schedule regular veterinary checkups as they are essential in helping your veterinarian monitor the progress of your pet's dental health routine.

As a pet owner, you play a crucial role in ensuring your pet's dental health through regular teeth brushing. Unchecked pet dental diseases can not only result in loss of teeth, but may damage your pet's heart, kidneys, liver, and other organs. If your pet will allow, open its mouth and look inside. Look for the warning signs of gum disease which includes bad breath, red and swollen gums, a yellow-brown crust of tartar, and pain or bleeding when you touch the gums or mouth. Seek veterinary care if you observe any of these problems.

One of the most convenient and effective ways to prevent oral disease is feeding specially formulated foods proven effective in fighting plaque and tartar buildup. Canned foods, which tend to stick to teeth easily, should be avoided. The Veterinary Oral Health Council's seal of acceptance appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats. Certain chewing toys are also beneficial to dislodge plaque. It is very essential discuss your pet's specific diet with your veterinarian.

Animal dental care centers are equipped with the latest techniques in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery to benefit your pet's well being and improve their general health. To assist veterinarians and their teams in offering excellent dental care for dogs and cats and educate pet owners regarding the significance of proper dental care throughout their pets' lives, the American Animal Hospital Association has developed dental care guidelines for dogs and cats.

Pet Health [http://www.e-PetHealth.com] provides detailed information on Pet Health, Pet Health Insurance, Pet Health Care, Pet Health Advice and more. Pet Health is affiliated with Pet Care Products.

Pet Health - Dental Disease Is Overlooked

Would you let years go by between your visits to the dentist? You probably would not want that to happen! Your pet's dental health is just as important to his or her overall health as your dental health is to your general health.

Dental disease in pets is actually one of the most common and most overlooked pet diseases. Proper tooth and gum exams are now part of a regular veterinary visit because dental health is an essential aspect of your pet's long-term health and vitality. Dental disease doesn't affect just the mouth. It leads to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease, which makes it all the more important that you provide your little fuzzy ones with proper dental care right from the start.

What are the symptoms of pet dental disease?

Bad breath is the most common symptom of poor pet dental health. Some other symptoms include swollen gums, difficulty or pain when chewing, excess tartar, poor appetite, and weight loss. If your pet has gingivitis, you want to make sure that it does not escalate to periodontal disease, which could cause the infection to spread to other organs.

How is it diagnosed?

Dental disease can only be diagnosed after a complete oral examination which is performed by a veterinarian. Following the oral exam most veterinarians will also look for other common signs of dental disease. Once the disease is diagnosed the veterinarian can then set up a treatment plan.

How is it treated?

If your pet has a mild form of dental disease, such as tartar or gingivitis, the treatment is a simple cleaning plan, but if tartar or gingivitis is more serious, a veterinarian should perform a professional tooth cleaning. In such cleanings, your pet will be anesthetized to allow for the tartar to be removed from the teeth as well as from under the gum line. Once the tartar is removed, the teeth are cleaned with an antibacterial rinse and are polished to make it more difficult for tartar build up to start again.

How is it prevented?

Pet dental disease is easily preventable. In order to slow down the build-up of tartar and gingivitis, you should feed your pet a prescription diet and brush its teeth regularly. If you cannot brush your pet's teeth, you can feed them enzyme chews as a substitute. Whatever you choose to do, just remember that prevention is an important step to ensuring your pet's overall health.

Corner Animal Hospital - Pet Pharmacy & Long Island Veterinary Service
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Buy the medications your pet needs with confidence at the Corner Animal Hospital's Online Pet Pharmacy. Owned by Ivy League Educated Dr. Dorothy Hayes and Dr. Judith Lombardi Daniels. "We treat your pets as family members. Their health and comfort are our primary concern."

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