Have you noticed that your dog or cat has smelly breath? Bad breath is one of the most common complaints that we investigate as veterinarians.
August is Pet Dental Month – a great reminder to have your pet checked at least annually for dental disease.
Just like us, dogs and cats can suffer from a build-up of plaque and tartar on their teeth. This causes discolouration, odour and often red and inflamed gums, better known as gingivitis.
Diet, genetics and poor teeth alignment in some breeds are important factors in the development of dental disease. A dry food diet and regular chew products are considered best for good oral health.
At the early signs of dental disease, your vet will recommend that your pets teeth are scaled clean and polished under a general anaesthetic.
Older pets are more likely to suffer from dental disease. Pictured right is Anatolia, a 15-year-old cat we saw for a health and dental check-up. In advanced dental disease, loose teeth may need to be removed and antibiotics may be prescribed to treat infection.
All pets benefit from preventative dental care and regular brushing with special pet toothpaste is considered the gold standard. But for those of us with less time to spare, vets can recommend a specialised dental dry food and other chew products to help fight tartar.
Many vet clinics, including ours will, have great dental food promotions during Pet Dental Month. It will be so much nicer getting up close with your pets when their smelly breath is improved!
With Dr Kristi of Hoppers Crossing Vet Clinic and Hospital
