Discover Duhallow Issue 60

Dental disease in pets

By JANE PIGOTT - GP vet & consultant and Veterinary Cardiologist

Does you dog have smelly breath? A foul odour from dog’s mouths is never normal, and in fact can be a sign of well-established dental disease. Many people think that as long a pet is succeeding in eating, that they can’t have oral pain, however this is not true. A dog or cat’s instinct to continue to eat is hardwired so strongly that they will continue to munch on food in the face of considerable toothaches. They are brave little creatures, but they shouldn’t have to suffer with dental disease in silence.

As dogs and cats are not good at giving us hints that there may be an issue with their teeth, and the sign of smelly breath is one that is seen when dental disease is already a major problem, it is up to us as owners to make sure that we take our pets for their annual health check to allow our vet to assess for earlier warning signs of dental disease so that action can be taken to ensure our pet’s oral health is optimised and they remain pain free long term.

As the old saying goes – ‘Prevention is better than cure’ – and this certainly applies to oral health. Regular toothbrushing, or use of a special dental diet or a purpose made water additive, are all strategies that can be employed to keep your pet’s breath smelling fresh and his teeth and gums healthy. Have a chat to your vet about which preventative option might suit you and your pet best.

If your pet does indeed have smelly breath, visit the vet for a check-up. If dental disease is diagnosed at this check-up, or as part of an annual health check, your vet may recommend measures such as a procedure called a ‘scale and polish’ to remove the bacteria rife tartar from the gumline, or in cases of severe disease, tooth extractions may be required to make your pet painfree.