Health Care for the Life of your Pet    

       

   

February is Oral Health Month

Imagine not wanting to cuddle with your dog because there was a disgusting odor coming from his mouth.  This is exactly what Renee Webb (shelter manager at the FdL Humane Society) described when she brought her dog, Peanut to Companion Animal Care for an exam.  Peanut is her 8 year old male neutered Chihuahua who she adopted right before he was scheduled to be euthanized for biting.  An oral exam confirmed a diagnosis of periodontal disease, which is the most common cause of halitosis. 

Periodontal disease is defined as infection (with bacteria) and inflammation (swelling, redness, pain) of the periodontium.  The peridontium is made up of gum, bone, and other tissues that hold the teeth in the mouth.  Periodontal disease starts with plaque mineralizing into tartar and causing gingivitis.  As  periodontal disease progresses, which it ALWAYS does,  the bacteria change into types that destroy bone and produce odor.  Unfortunately the bone loss is permanent but the halitosis doesn’t have to be! 

In Peanut’s case, the halitosis was obvious!  Other than being a little overweight, his exam and his preoperative laboratory work showed a very cute and healthy dog.  He was immediately scheduled for treatment.  (According to Renee, Peanut is overweight because Snowy, her other dog, jumps over the baby gate to steal cat food which he drops from his mouth and shares with Peanut.)

On the day Peanut arrived, he was first given a medication for pain.  It’s well proven that preventing pain before it happens is more effective in reducing pain after it happens.  A catheter was placed in his vein and a breathing tube placed in his trachea.  The catheter provides fluid support during anesthesia.  The tube supplies oxygen and anesthetic gas and also blocks water and tartar from entering the lungs. 

Peanut’s teeth were cleaned above and below the gum line with a high powered scaler.  Two teeth were so severely diseased that they fell out during removal of the calculus!  Digital dental X-rays were taken of all Peanut’s teeth.  Luckily he did not have any root abscesses but the X rays and oral exam confirmed severe periodontal disease, pockets between tooth and gums and loose teeth.  In total 10 teeth needed to be extracted due to end stage periodontal disease.  End stage means that more than 50% of the bone surrounding the tooth is lost and the root is exposed.  These teeth are usually loose and painful. 

Nerve blocks were administered, the teeth were surgically extracted and the defects closed with absorbable sutures. A time released antibiotic gel was injected into several small pockets surrounding the canine teeth.  This product called, Doxirobe can promote some gum reattachment in shallow periodontal pockets.  Following the surgery, the teeth were polished and a sealant called Oravet was applied to the surfaces.  Oravet blocks new tartar from adhering to the enamel for 2 weeks following a cleaning.  It’s results can be prolonged with weekly home application.

Peanut was given more pain medication throughout the day and was sent home with a tasty chewable pain relieving tablet. 

Renee reports that the procedure did not slow Peanut down for any time at all.  In fact, he is MORE energetic and active now than before the diseased teeth were removed.  The reason for this is the bacteria involved in periodontal disease can cause infection in other parts of the body and of course, the chronic pain of diseased teeth makes dogs feel poorly.  Once the bacteria and pain are removed, many owners report their dogs are “like puppies again”.  Peanut is also eating easier and of course there is the added benefit of fresh breath and increased cuddling.

Happy Valentine's Day!