Love is in the air!! Oh wait….maybe it’s tuna or doggie bones in the air.
Hi there my fellow kitties and doggies friends. Have your pet parents been pulling away when you go in for a nose rub or to lick their face? Doggies, are you drooling more than usual(is that even possible)? Kitties, is it difficult to crunch your favorite crunchies?
February is the month of love but it is also national dental month. Dental disease is the most common disease in doggies and kitties, affecting 78% of doggies and 68% of kitties over the age of three. Although most doggies and kitties will develop some sort of dental disease, small dog breeds are more prone to developing periodontal disease than larger breeds.
My doggie friends, I know it’s difficult but when your pet parent brings out that hard bone or hoof to chew on, try and step away. By chewing on hard toys, you can break one or even two carnassial teeth. These teeth are the largest teeth in your doggie mouth and when broken, they can cause a painful abscess. Dr Bahns and Dr Boller have had to remove many a carnassial tooth. Be sure your pet parent gives you something that has “give” to chew. A Kong filled with treats or even rawhide(as long as your supervised) are better to chew.
Kitties, even though we don’t eat sweets,we can actually get something like a cavity. These areas on our teeth are very painful and even if the outside of our mouth is touched in the area..MEOWZA. No kitty likes to eat with a painful mouth. When kitties don’t eat, we can end up with some pretty serious liver issues.
Because we don’t brush our teeth, bacteria builds up on our teeth. Believe it or not, bacteria in our mouth can effect our liver, kidneys and even our heart. That’s why it is so important for us to see our favorite veterinarian at least once a year. For those sassy older furry family members, they should be seen at least twice a year. I know at Animal MD when you go in for your yearly or semi- annual wellness exam, they check you out toe to tooth. Early preventive measures, such as at-home care and in-clinic dental cleanings will help reduce the frequency and severity of dental disease later in life.
Our mouth is the gateway to our bodies. An unhealthy mouth can lead to an unhealthy body. So if you’re due or even overdue for that wellness exam and your pearly whites are a bit tarnished, give your pet parent an extra nudge in the face. Soon you will be smiling with shiny teeth and have a healthy body.
Macchi
Macchi Mews for January