Corner Animal Hospital : Online Pet Pharmacy and Veterinary Service

It seems that today’s pets are more pampered than ever.  Pet owners indulge their furry friends with premium food and treats, colorful toys, and even dress them in posh, fashionable outfits.  They get them kitty condos and obedience lessons, vitamins and vaccines. But there is one aspect of pet care that even the most loving owners tend to miss: Pet dental disease prevention.

Dental care is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of pet ownership, but ignoring it can not only cause major dental disease in pets, it can lead to more serious health problems including heart, kidney and lung disease.  Shockingly, according to the American Veterinarian Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show some signs of gum disease by age 2.

There are many types of dental diseases that dogs and cats can acquire.  The most common are :

• Gingivitis
• Tooth abscess, especially of the carnaissal teeth
• Cavities
• Cracked teeth
• Worn down teeth

So what should a conscientious pet owner do to prevent dental disease in their pet?

It’s essential that dental care in pets, as with people, be preventative.  Your pet’s teeth should have the tarter scraped off of them every 3-6 months, and be professionally cleaned under general anesthesia at least once a year.

The most important thing you can do at home to stave off dental disease is to brush your pet’s teeth.  Brushing regularly will keep gums healthy and prevent tartar build up. Obviously, some pets will be more complacent about having their teeth brushed than others.  Cats especially tend to balk at the idea of human fingers poking around their pearly whites. In these cases, you can slowly get your pet comfortable with tooth brushing by progressing from a finger, to a gauze pad or cotton swab (perhaps dipped in their favorite treat) on the gums, to eventually using a soft bristled toothbrush.  Remember to always properly restrain your pet before brushing their teeth to avoid problems.

If you think these precautions seem over the top or unnecessary, think again: Studies have shown that taking measures to prevent dental disease in your pet may add as much as 5 years to their life. So go ahead and buy Spot that fancy collar and splurge on a new toy for Tabby.  Just don’t forget to pick up that toothbrush while you’re at it!

Corner Animal Hospital : Online Pet Pharmacy & LI Veterinary Service

http://www.corneranimal.com

Buy the Medications Your Pet Needs With Confidence. 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.”

Visit our Online Pet Pharmacy to shop for your pet’s meds at http://shop.corneranimal.com

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.

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 dental disease 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 dental disease prevention is an important step to ensuring your pet’s overall health.

Here is our Pet Dental product that is available in our online pet pharmacy : http://shop.corneranimal.com/category_s/49.htm

C.E.T.’s exclusive antibacterial system and time-tested Dual-Enzyme System to control plaque and eliminate bacteria buildup. They can be fed as a treat once a day (on non-brushing days) or as directed by your veterinarian. Chews are the easiest method of care for pet owners but should be used with brushing for best results. Contraindications/precautions : Pets with food allergies to beef should avoid these treats since they are made from beef hide.