Dogs and cats need dental care, too, national veterinary association says

LYFORD M. MOORE, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Originally published Sunday, March 3, 2002

Each month, Mary Jo Gallagher of Moorestown, N.J., grabs her "finger" toothbrush, a special device that fits over the finger with bristles at the tip, and calls for Duke, her 5-year-old golden retriever. Moments later, she's brushing Duke's teeth and the dog is like putty in her hands.

He doesn't mind at all because he likes the special toothpaste, which tastes like chicken, Gallagher says with a laugh.

Unlike many pet owners, Gallagher knows the importance of home dental care for pets. She knows the consequences of being inattentive.

The American Veterinary Medical Association considers improper dental care the No. 1 health problem diagnosed in pets. It says 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by the time they're 3 and oral disease is not something to be taken lightly.

Bacteria can accumulate in an animal's mouth and lead to bad breath, it says. It can also lead to a buildup of tartar, inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), damage to the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs and even death.

"When there's a lot of bacteria in the mouth, every time the animal chews it's releasing bacteria into the blood stream," explained Dr. Charles N. Bell, chief veterinarian at the Evesham (N.J.) Veterinary Clinic. The clinic treats about 180 dogs and 120 cats each week.

Bell and other veterinarians recommend an annual dental checkup and stress the importance of weekly brushings at home. If a dog or cat has an excessive buildup of plaque or tartar and home brushings won't correct the problem, its owner must weigh the most effective option: having the animal's teeth cleaned ultrasonically under anesthesia, a procedure that costs about $100.

Animals with a history of bad teeth should be checked twice a year, Bell says. He says dental insurance is available and pet owners should check with their veterinarian for details.

Despite being reminded how important at-home dental care is during their pet's annual checkup, many pet owners apparently pay little attention. They'll take their pets to the veterinarian if they're sick or in need of a shot, but somehow find the idea of brushing Fido's molars or Felix's incisors a tad strange.

"We handle more than 200 cats and dogs each week and between 50 and 70 percent of them haven't been getting the proper care at home," says Barbara Haley, a certified technician at the Clementon (N.J.) Animal Hospital.

Dr. Colin Harvey, professor of surgery and dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, says the disposition of a pet often determines whether that pet gets the proper care it needs.

"It's something that, if there's an initial resistance by the dog or cat, then someone might shy away from doing it," he says.

He could easily have been talking about Gary Crawford, 27, and Sue Bromley, 35.

"We've had a Yorkshire terrier for 8 years and only brushed his teeth twice," says Crawford. "We got a little brush at the store, but he didn't like it much. We're not doing it any more."

Says Bromley: "I don't think either of my cats, Jazzy or Jinx, would be very receptive to that sort of thing."

Veterinarians say having unhealthy teeth is genetic and that cats and dogs are equally susceptible. Smaller dogs, they say, are more likely to develop gingivitis and periodontal disease than larger dogs or cats.

Those who brush their pet's teeth on a weekly basis, which the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends, say brushings only take about 10 minutes and aren't difficult. The key to success, they say, lies in starting at-home care at an early age.

"I started when they were very young and it wasn't any problem at all," says 26-year-old Carla Costa, who has two cats, each 9 months old. "I use the finger thing and special toothpaste and they just got used to it."

If the patient is well into adulthood, however, bribery can go a long way. To acclimate your pet, simply dip a finger into beef bouillon for dogs or tuna water for cats, rub the soaked finger gently over the pet's mouth and teeth and hope for the best. Make the initial sessions short and positive.

Gradually, introduce gauze over a finger and gently scrub the teeth in a circular motion. Eventually, you'll want to pick up a finger brush or soft toothbrush and toothpaste designed specifically for pets, both of which are available at pet stores.

Harvey considers home dental care extremely important and recommends pet owners allow their animals to assist in the procedure by providing them with dry food and toys that promote chewing and scrublike activity on the surface of the tooth.

Never use human toothpaste, however. It contains too much detergent and actually can make an animal sick.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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