Pet Dental Care: The Forgotten Necessity
Ever since I was a little girl I have loved animals. I have had all sorts of pets from parrots to dogs to pigs. This passion eventually led me to pursue a career involving animals, specifically veterinary medicine. This summer while chasing this dream I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to work at a veterinary clinic. My time there was fully immersive, allowing me to be involved in surgeries as well as appointments with patients. This opened my eyes to the glamorous, eye-catching side of the industry as well as the darker aspects that make it easy to want to look away.
One warm day at the clinic, we had just finished with a routine appointment and I made my way outside to bring the next patient in. When the owner handed me the dog, the first thing that caught my attention was the look in it’s eyes, one I will never forget, a look of pain and desperation. Red flags began cropping up from the moment the examination started, each more concerning than the last. The dog exhibited many signs of neglect including fur riddled with dandruff, malnutrition, and by far the most concerning, severe, stage 4 periodontal disease. The dog was muzzled throughout and about halfway through we noticed a foreign liquid leaking out of the side of the muzzle. The doctor determined it to be a disturbing mix of saliva, pus from painful abscesses in the mouth, and even small fragments of deteriorated and fractured teeth. It only got worse from here: as we opened the animal’s mouth to allow further investigation we were accosted by the foul stench that is a signature of dental disease and the infection it causes. The doctor discovered multiple abscesses caused by infection, serious tooth decay, and, after observing the dog for a while we found that it would often “chatter” it’s teeth, an indicator that it was enduring extreme pain in its mouth. This is a case I don’t think I will ever forget.
Is dental disease common or significant enough of an issue that it warrants the extra time and money required? Though often overlooked by pet owners, “[o]ver 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease” making it one of the most common ailments veterinarians come across. Its prevalence does not mean that it is unimportant but rather quite the opposite. It can cause unnecessary pain in the affected area but the most serious side effects involve other parts of the body. “The heart and liver are especially prone to developing inflammation from dental disease”(Fitzsimmons). Additionally, “there is evidence that periodontal disease is linked to cardiopulmonary diseases like endocarditis, according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).” Endocarditis is just one, particularly potent, example of the potential severity of the conditions resulting from poor dental care. It is an inflammation of the heart valves, typically caused by germs from other parts of the body contaminating the bloodstream and causing infection. The aforementioned WSAVA report indicates that “the risk of endocarditis is about six times higher in dogs with stage three (moderate to severe) periodontal disease than for dogs without it.”
One of the most common reasons why pet owners do not take care of their animal’s teeth as much as other parts of their bodies is concern about how much the extra care would cost. Dental care does have a price but not caring for one’s animals now will only cost more in the future. Once an animal contracts periodontal disease, beyond stage 1, the only way to get rid of it is a professional scaling which can range from $300 — $700. The hospitalization of an animal suffering from late-stage dental disease or its side effects can range from $600-$1,700 for a single visit, not to mention the exorbitant cost of antibiotic treatment and follow-up visits. Continuing to use endocarditis as an example: if afflicted “your dog will most likely require hospitalization for intensive care and treatment. Fluid therapy and antibiotic therapy will be given to restore and maintain body fluid levels and to control the infection, respectively”(“Heart Valve”). Not only would the cost after contracting the condition be significant, but there is also a risk of mortality. “A large retrospective study including 71 canine patients showed a mortality rate of 56% in dogs with infective endocarditis, and only about half of the dogs were found to survive longer than 2 weeks”(Cabrera-García et al.).
To prevent dental disease and the subsequent effects it has on the rest of the body, owners must proactively protect their animal’s teeth before the illness progresses. There are many ways to do this. Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) states that “the best way to prevent tartar build-up is through daily tooth brushing using a toothpaste that is specifically formulated for dogs and is designed to be swallowed.” Enzadent, for example, is an edible toothpaste that comes in many flavors and includes a finger brush so owners can brush their animal’s teeth regularly.
Brushing an animal’s teeth routinely can seem like a daunting task, but luckily there are plenty of substitutes. VCA recommends “special dog chew toys and treats [that] may also help reduce or delay plaque and tartar build-up. Some pet foods have been specifically formulated as dental diets that mechanically and/or chemically assist in plaque removal. Water additives are also available.” There are many options for every type of pet owner. The Veterinary Oral Health Council’s (VOHC) website can provide additional alternatives and information. Your veterinarian can also help you find products that fit your lifestyle, coupons, and even offer reduced prices through them or their suppliers.
The options for proactive prevention of dental disease are as many and as varied as the consequences for not taking advantage of them. Especially following the recent surge in animal adoptions and new first-time pet owners during the pandemic, vigilance and education about the responsibilities having an animal entails, is vital. I urge fellow pet owners and lovers of animals, though it might be easy to avert your gaze from the dental health of your animal, to look your pet in the eyes, and if you truly love them, promise to do whatever it takes for the sake of their health. Even if that means sticking your fingers in their mouth every once in a while…
Works Cited:
Cabrera-García, Angela I., et al. “Infective Endocarditis Due to Erysipelothrix
Rhusiopathiae in a Dog — a Case Report.” BMC Veterinary Research,
Springer Nature, 10 Sept. 2020, bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/
10.1186/s12917–020–02546–6.
Hiscox, Lorraine. “Dental Disease in Dogs.” VCA, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dental-disease-in-dogs. Accessed 2 Jan. 2022.
“Heart Valve Infection (Infective Endocarditis) in Dogs.” PetMD, 20 Oct. 2009, www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cardiovascular/c_dg_endocarditis_infective. Accessed 2 Jan. 2022.
Fitzsimmons, Paula. “5 Scary Consequences of Neglecting Your Dog’s Teeth.”
Edited by Hanie Elfenbein. PetMD, 13 Dec. 2019, www.petmd.com/dog/
general-health/5-scary-consequences-neglecting-your-dogs-teeth. Accessed 2
Jan. 2022.
Niemiec, Brook A., et al. “World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global
Dental Guidelines.” WSAVA.org, wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/
Dental-Guidleines-for-endorsement_0.pdf. Accessed 9 Jan. 2022.
“Veterinary Oral Health Council.” VOHC.org, vohc.org/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2022.
“Pet Dental Care FAQ.” Wooded Acres Animal Hospital, dba iMatrix.,
www.woodedacresanimalhospital.com/pet-dental-care-faq. Accessed 11 Jan.
2022.
Shafford, Heidi. “Why It’s Important to Have Your Dog’s Dental Cleanings
Performed under Anesthesia.” Preventative Vet, 3 May 2021,
www.preventivevet.com/dogs/
why-its-important-to-have-dental-cleanings-performed-under-anesthesia.
Accessed 11 Jan. 2022.
Dowdy, Sarah Mouton. “What to Know about the Essential Rabies Vaccine for Dogs.”
Daily Paws, Meredith, www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/health-care/
dog-preventative-care/dog-teeth-cleaning. Accessed 11 Jan. 2022.
