Gum Disease is the Most Common Disease Occurring in Dogs and Cats
Yes, it’s true! Veterinarians see more cases of Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease), than any other disease.
SYMPTOMS
The first and most common symptom is noticeably bad breath. Bad breath in pets is the least of your worries when dealing with Gum Disease; Pets may also experience oral pain as a result of gum irritation and bleeding, which can cause loss of appetite. The disease can also affect the gums so severely that it can lead to tooth loss. If the disease progresses enough, bacteria surrounding the roots can enter the bloodstream, also known as “Bacteremia”, which may be life-threatening. Studies have shown that dogs suffering from severe cases of Periodontal Disease are more likely to have kidney, liver, and heart muscle damage.
CAUSES
So what causes Gum Disease in Pets? Well, it is the exact same thing that causes Gum Disease in humans: Plaque build-up on teeth and around gums. Plaque contains bacteria, and if left to accumulate long enough, it can irritate the gum tissue and cause infection in the bone around the teeth.
Hard dental tartar, also known as “Calculus”, is made up of calcium salts from saliva that are deposited on plaque. It only takes a few days for tartar to accumulate if not cleaned right away, which then can be difficult to remove without the assistance of dental instruments.
TREATMENT
Gum Disease in pets is completely preventable. Maintaining dental hygiene will go a long way. As long as the surfaces of the teeth are clean, the gums will remain healthy. Offer your pets a wide assortment of chews. Rope, fleece, rubber, vinyl, or latex toys are excellent examples of chews used for maintaining dental health. Bones, bully sticks, antlers, and hooves are natural chews that are both enticing and effective in keeping the teeth and gums clean.
Below are products we recommend to help maintain dental hygiene and prevent Gum Disease.
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