Archive for the ‘Dog Oral Health’ Category

posted by Tess on Dec 30

A puppy’s teeth start appearing when he is about four weeks old. These are deciduous (temporary) or baby teeth that do not have roots. By the time the young dog is about six weeks old, most of the deciduous canine, incisive and molar teeth are in place. As puppies are liable to bite their mother’s nipples, puppies are generally weaned as soon as the first set of teeth start appearing.

Being deciduous teeth, these teeth start falling off as the roots of the permanent teeth start pushing upwards. The process of replacement is usually complete by the time the dog is about eight months old. The incisors are the first deciduous teeth to fall off and the molars are generally the last.

When the deciduous teeth are being replaced by permanent ones, is when dog owners start observing the first signs of canine bad breath. Bad dog breath in puppies during this time is normal and can be easily addressed with a dog oral breath spray.

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posted by Tess on Nov 5

Your dog’s oral health is also an indicator of the general health of your dog. Many diseases in other parts of the body manifest themselves by certain dental or oral symptoms. On the other hand, sometimes dental diseases can cause other more serious problems and can affect vital organs in the body.

Dogs do not generally have cavities like humans. Dental disease mostly affects their gums. Gum diseases like gingivitis are primarily responsible for tooth decay, abscesses and serious dental ailments like periodontitis.

Healthy dog gums are firm. They are just like the dog’s skin - pink, black or spotted. Dog teeth are initially white in color and tend to darken as the dog gets older. Initially 23 rootless baby teeth emerge. These are pushed out when permanent (usually 42 but much depends upon the breed of the dog) teeth start to develop.

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posted by Tess on Oct 21

What to expect when your puppy/kitten is teething.

Around 4 months of age your puppy or kitten will lose its first set of teeth and the adult teeth will begin to emerge from the gums. The teething process continues on and off for several months and, as with human babies, this is often a painful or uncomfortable process for your pet. You will be able to work out when your pet is teething from his increased chewing and biting on everything imaginable that is within reach.

Although sometimes tiresome, teething is a stage all kittens and puppies must go through and, happily, it will pass fairly soon. Relieving your pet’s pain at the same time as protecting your possessions from the sharp little teeth will be your top priorities!

What are PetAlive PupTeeth Granules?

PupTeeth Granules are a natural herbal, homeopathic and tissue salt remedy for relieving the pain and discomfort of teething in puppies. The granules work equally well for other young animals like kittens. Specially formulated to suit young pets, PupTeeth granules are safe and very easy to administer.

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posted by Tess on Oct 11

Dental health in pets

The most common ailments seen by vets in dogs and cats are dental problems. More than half of all pets suffer from gum disease, dental calculus or similar dental problems.

Calculus is the brown build-up of plaque found extending downwards on the tooth from the gum line. Calculus is a haven for bacteria which can have serious consequences for your pet’s general health. These bacteria can not only cause abscesses and tooth loss but can have effects further afield - even resulting in organ damage as the bacteria are carried from the mouth, through the bloodstream.

All types of teeth and gum diseases can lead to serious health problems in pets. Dogs and cats make much fuller use of their teeth than humans do - using them in ways we usually use our hands. For this reason, toothache, dental disease and loss of teeth can all have serious consequences for pets.

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posted by Tess on May 4

It is recommended to start brushing for pets teeth at 8-12 weeks of age, but it never to late to begin! Here is a step-by-step guide to introducing teeth brushing to your pet. Supplies you will need include gauze, toothbrush, and pet toothpaste. Be sure to use pet toothpaste as human toothpaste contains products that will make your pet sick.

Week 1: Introduce Your Pet to Mouth Care
· Using your hand, gently open the pet’s mouth and run your finger around his or her lips, lifting the lips, etc. This should begin for just 30 seconds on day one and progressing to a couple of minutes by the end of the week. Reward -your pet with a small treat at the end of each session.

Week 2: Introducing Toothpaste or Gauze
· This week, use either wet gauze wrapped around your index finger or wet toothbrush on the teeth. Lift lips. Massage the outer surfaces only of upper and lower teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do this for 30 seconds on day one, progressing up to three minutes by the end of the week.

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posted by Tess on Sep 28

A dog will require care, attention and a commitment to look after it during its life which could be 10-15 years or longer. The commitment required includes not only routine feeding, care and time spent with the dog but also the provision of veterinary treatment if the dog becomes ill. Written below is some thing about dog caring:

Brushing your Dog’s Teeth:

How to brush your dog’s teeth?

Step one is to pick an appropriate pet toothbrush. Save yourself time by not buying a child’s toothbrush which is usually too hard for dogs. The ideal dog toothbrush will have a long handle, an angled head to better fit the mouth and extra soft bristles. Another option is the finger toothbrush that fits over the tip of your finger.

Step two is to select appropriate toothpaste. The best pet toothpastes contain enzymes that help control plaque. Try to avoid toothpastes with baking soda, detergents, or salt sometimes found in human pastes. Fluoride may be incorporated to help control bacteria. Rather than placing the paste on top of the brush try to place it between the bristles. This allows the paste to spend the most time next to the teeth.

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