Dental disease

Dental disease.  If you've owned a pet you have heard about dental disease.  It is a nasty and common disease that affects 85% of dogs and cats by 3 years of age.  The picture here is a dog that received an anesthetic dental cleaning last summer.  Like many clients, his family thought he was "done" and "good for awhile".  Allowing him to chew on dental bones now and then was expected to be sufficient home dental care.  Can you believe their shock and disappointment when I took a peek today and saw this?  Green slimy stuff coming from the gum line.  Gross.  Periodontal disease starts innocently enough.  Somehow food particles get stuck at the gum line.  Without proper brushing it behaves like a magnet accumulating more food particles and bacteria.  Then over time this seeps beneath the gum line loosening the mouth's attachment to the tooth.  Eventually either the disease (slowly and painfully) or a veterinarian (under the comfort of anesthesia and with proper pain control) will remove the tooth if enough loss of attachment has occurred (periodontal disease 3 and 4).  This month Roseland Animal Hospital is offering 10% off dental care, services and products in support of National Dental Health Month.  And we would be more than happy to give some helpful tips on succeeding with at home dental care - just ask!  (email [email protected] or call us at 574-272-6100).  We'd even be happy to provide a demonstration if you like.  Here's to a happy healthy mouth for all!

~Dr. Sparke