No matter what kind of pet you have, if there are teeth present, you can bet they require some care.
| A Guide to Canine Tooth Brushing |
| | What would happen if you stopped brushing your own teeth? Even if you only ate hard food as most dogs do, there still would be problems. You should be brushing your dog's teeth twice daily if you can manage it. It's not as difficult as you might imagine. |
| A Guide to Feline Dental Care |
| | Feline dental pathology and care are perhaps the most overlooked and under-treated areas in small animal medicine. |
| About Dr. Bellows |
| | Dr. Jan Bellows is a board-certified veterinary dentist. His office, Hometown Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic, is located at 17100 Royal Palm Boulevard in Weston, Florida. He can be reached for consultations at 954-349-5800. |
| Brush Away Your Pet's Dental Problems |
| | These days, many pet lovers respond to the idea of brushing their pets' teeth not with surprise, but with guilt. "I know I should brush my pet's teeth, but I don't because my cat won't put up with it," they say. Or they don't have time, or they forget. |
| Clinical Signs of Oral/Dental Disease in Pets |
| | If you see any of these clinical signs, take your pet to your veterinarian for a complete oral examination. |
| Consil - Savior for Hopeless Teeth |
| | Consil is a synthetic bioactive ceramic material, which bonds to bone as well as soft tissue, and can even regenerate bone in periodontal pockets. It has been available as Bioglass for human periodontal care, and has recently been approved for use in companion animals. |
| Declawing of Cats Invites Fevered Responses |
| | I am dead-set against declawing kittens -- in case they might one day scratch -- nor do I believe the procedure should ever be the first option when faced with a destructive cat. But I'm also realistic enough to know that in a battle of spouses over shredded furniture, declawing may be the only thing between a cat and a trip to a shelter. |
| Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats |
| | If you were asked to name the most common disease of adult dogs and cats, what would you answer? Heart disease, lung disease, liver or kidney disease? Well, if you said dental disease, you would be correct. |
| Dental Home Care |
| | Imagine how your teeth would look and feel if you didn’t brush them daily. The same applies to your pet’s teeth. Here are some ways you can care for your pet’s teeth at home. |
| Dentistry for Horses |
| | Horse’s teeth are classified as hypsodont, meaning they continually erupt throughout the horse’s life. Since the horse’s upper jaw is wider than the lower jaw, sharp points routinely form on the outside of the upper cheek teeth and the inside of the lower cheek teeth. |
| Diastema of Equine Teeth |
| | A diastema is a condition in which there is an abnormal space between adjacent teeth, and the veterinarians at the University of Edinburgh have recently reviewed the condition in horses. |
| FAQ: Feline Gingivostomatitis |
| | FGS is a severe oral disease that affects some cats where the body becomes allergic to plaque around the teeth. |
| FAQ: Oral Masses/Ulcers |
| | Some dogs and cats develop growths in their mouths. Similar to humans, these growths may be benign or malignant. Once a mass is noticed, analysis must be made to determine the cause of the growth. |
| FAQ: Periodontal Disease |
| | Periodontal disease is inflammation of some or all of a tooth's support. When compared to gingivitis, periodontitis indicates bone loss. If left untreated, periodontitis may cause loose painful teeth as well as internal disease. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque (bacteria).
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| FAQ: Toothbrushing and Dental Prophylaxis in Cats and Dogs |
| | Why should I brush my dog's or cat's teeth? |
| Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions [FORL] |
| | A common feline oral malady is the feline oral resorptive lesion (FORL). |
| Feline Stomatitis |
| | Cats can be affected by inflammation of the entire mouth called stomatitis or lymphocytic plasmacytic syndrome (LPS). |
| Ferret Dentistry |
| | Ferret dental problems are similar to dog and cat conditions. Fractured teeth occur commonly. Ferrets even suffer from some orthodontic conditions.
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| Halitosis (Bad Breath) |
| | Halitosis, also called bad breath, is as an offensive odor emanating from the oral cavity. Bad breath is a common presenting pet odor complaint. Causes may be commonly be related to the mouth or rarely related to other health problems. |
| Is Anesthesia Safe? |
| | Veterinarians anesthetize animals on a daily basis. At least once per week in any clinic, a pet owner expresses concern about anesthesia: Is it safe? Will my pet survive the procedure? Modern anesthesia is very safe. |
| Natural Veterinary Dental Care |
| | General natural remedies are useful for animal dental care. As with all medical recommendations, checked with your veterinarian before giving these to your pet. |
| Periodontal Disease in Pets |
| | More than 85% of dogs and cats older than 4 years have periodontal pathology. |
| Pet Orthodontics |
| | Just as you would want to cure a painful skin condition or sore joint in your pet, you should also consider relieving pain in your pet's mouth. When an oral problem is caused by poorly aligned teeth, orthodontic treatment may be needed. |
| Plasma Cell Stomatitis |
| | Stringent control of plaque is crucial to the management of cats with this painful, chronic condition. Expect an affected cat to require teeth cleaning under general anesthesia at least every 6 months. If medical management fails, all teeth need to be removed. |
| Preventive Equine Dentistry |
| | Recently, major advances in equine dental care have been made. Preventive dental care starts as soon as the foal is born with an oral exam by your veterinarian to check for congenital abnormalities. A dental exam should also be performed when vaccinations are begun at 4 months of age. |
| Rabbit Dental Disease |
| | No matter what kind of pet you have, if there are teeth present, you can bet they require some care. Dental disease in the pet rabbit remains one of the most common problems seen by veterinarians. In recent years we have come to a better understanding of causes, prevention and treatment of these diseases. |
| Retained Deciduous Teeth |
| | When deciduous (baby) teeth don’t fall out to make way for the permanent teeth, they are called retained deciduous teeth. Retained deciduous teeth should be extracted surgically soon after they are discovered because they will cause dental problems (overcrowding in the mouth, plaque buildup, malocclusion, etc.).
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| What to Expect if Your Pet Needs Dental Care |
| | Root canals, dental x-rays, orthodontics, crowns, caps, implants, and periodontal surgery for pets? You must be kidding? Not at all. Dental procedures are routinely performed in veterinary practices daily. How does a loving pet owner know if dental care is needed and where can a pet owner go for advanced dental care. |
| What to Look for When Examining Your Cat's Teeth |
| | It is easy to recognize if your cat has a broken leg, but how about a broken tooth? You would think pets would stop eating when they had oral problems. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case. By the time most owners recognize oral disease in their pets, the problem is chronic and progressive. |
| Wolf Teeth in Horses |
| | The question is should wolfe teeth be removed or left alone, and the answer is it depends on the intended use of the horse. |