Don’t be Fooled by this Sneaky Disease

Most of us agree that our pets are not just owned animals, but beloved members of our family. They eat dinner with us, cuddle with us on the couch, join us on family vacations, and even sleep in our beds with us. We all want the best for our furry kids, and when we are told that they have a chronic disease, we obviously want them to get treatment for it. But what about problems that are hard to find? Of all the common diseases and injuries of companion animals, dental disease is one of the sneakiest. Studies show that by 2 years of age, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will have some degree of periodontal disease. They can also suffer from other dental issues such as tooth fractures, tooth resorption, inherited abnormalities, and much more. Periodontal disease is something that we can slow down with good oral care. There are many things we can do at home for our pets’ oral health, such as daily brushing using a pet-safe toothbrush and toothpaste, offering dental chews, wiping the teeth with enzymatic tooth wipes, and adding enzymatic products to the water to help break down plaque. The Veterinary Oral Health Council has an extensive list of products on their website (vohc.org) that have been proven to be beneficial for regular use at home. However, genetics also play a huge role in dental disease and sometimes, no matter how hard we try, dental disease will get the better of us. That is why the most beneficial thing we can do for our pets’ oral health is to partner with their veterinarian during every physical exam and discuss these issues.

So, what makes dental disease so difficult to find? For starters, dogs and cats are very good at masking their pain. Their basic instincts tell them that an injured animal will be preyed upon, and they often will not act any differently. Additionally, hunger always wins over oral pain and it is rare to see a pet stop eating because their mouth hurts. It can also be tricky for your veterinarian to identify. Dogs and cats don’t exactly open up and say “ahh” during their annual physical exam. Your vet can do a cursory oral exam and look for signs of gingivitis, loose or broken teeth, oral tumors, etc., but there is only so much they can see when your pet is awake. Just like in human dentistry, a complete oral exam requires excellent visibility of all areas of the mouth, the ability to probe all the teeth and gums with sharp metal instruments, and the ability to take full-mouth dental x-rays. Since the roots of the teeth live under the gumline, dental x-rays may be the most important part of the oral exam because they provide visualization of the entire tooth and the surrounding bone. That is why your veterinarian will recommend full anesthesia for your pet’s dental procedures. While you may hear about some clinics that offer “anesthesia-free dental cleanings,” these procedures are very outdated and do not allow for a complete exam, dental x-rays, or treatment of diseased teeth. It is not safer, it does not provide any real benefit to your pet, and it will not even resolve their bad breath. This is why the American Veterinary Medical Association is against this practice. 

While anesthesia may seem scary, veterinary medicine has come a long way in recent years. Your veterinary team will always take every precaution to minimize anesthetic risk as much as possible. Here at Fox Run Animal Hospital, your pet will have a full physical exam and full bloodwork before the procedure to ensure minimal risk. This ensures that the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other essential functions are in good health before scheduling a dental procedure. Before anesthesia, an IV is placed to ensure fast and safe administration of all necessary medications and mild sedatives are given to reduce any anxiety or hyperactivity before the procedure. A licensed veterinary technician monitors your pet the entire time before, during and after anesthesia. During anesthesia, all teeth will be scaled of tartar and polished, a full oral exam will be performed, and full-mouth dental x-rays will be taken. This information will allow the veterinarian to determine if any disease is present, and if so, the disease can be treated in the same procedure.

In some cases, treatments can be performed to save diseased teeth but most often, a diseased tooth will require extraction. Extractions always sound terrible on paper, but they are much more common than people think. On average, more than 80% of pets that get a dental procedure will require at least one extraction, and this is not due to poor care or neglect at home. Some animals are more genetically prone to developing dental disease over the course of their lives than others. Small breed dogs are especially prone to dental disease and will usually need many extractions throughout their life, even with extensive dental care. While it may be hard to believe, dogs and cats always act and eat the same or better after dental extractions. It is much more comfortable to eat with no tooth rather than a painful tooth. Being carnivores, dogs and cats swallow their food whole, and they don’t rely on chewing nearly as much as we do. They are also (thankfully!) not self-conscious about how they look with a few teeth missing afterwards. Pain aside, if diseased teeth are left untreated, they can spread infection to other areas of the body and increase the risk for heart disease and liver disease, just like in people. Tooth disease is also the biggest source of bad breath. If your veterinarian is recommending extractions, it is because those teeth are causing pain and/or infection. Extracting them solves the problem permanently AND resolves their stinky breath. There’s no need to feel guilty about tooth extractions or try to avoid them. They are a very kind and necessary treatment option for dental disease. 

So, if you smell something, say something! Doggy/kitty-breath is not normal, and halitosis (bad breath) is a great indicator for hidden dental disease. We have all had tooth pain at some point in our lives, and we can all attest that it is never fun. Since our pets can’t tell us, the only way to find and treat their dental disease is to look for it. Start the conversation with your veterinarian about your pet’s dental care. If you are looking for a veterinary team that is knowledgeable and experienced with dog and cat dentistry, please give us a call at Fox Run Animal Hospital. We’d love to help make those kisses smell fresh again!