Vet Tim Watson with his flat-coat retrievers, Mupit, Jet and Katie.
ALL CREATURESBAD breath in our pets is more than just an unfortunate affliction that we, as owners, need to suffer and put up with. It is a sign that something in the mouth is wrong in the form of harmful bacteria, causing gum disease.
Now I’m not talking about the kind of breath that Fido has just after burying his head into a hedge but persistent foul breath.
In a recent clinical survey, it was estimated 80 per cent of pet dogs and cats in the UK have clinical dental disease. This really is quite an awe-inspiring number.
We as vets need to do more to educate pet owners about the serious implications of dental disease.
Dental disease in our pets hurts and quickly reaches an irreversible state that will affect other organs, most notably the liver, heart and kidneys. It is insidious, slow in onset of pain and smell and will not resolve itself.
Without wanting to worry you, if left unchecked it may lead to other, potentially life-threatening illness. This is a slow process, so don’t panic, but do get it looked at — and remember bad breath is not normal.
March is Pet Dental Month. Some veterinary surgeries are offering free dental health checks and advice. It is free, so even if you don't think your pet has a problem, book an appointment with your surgery.
Pedigree is sponsoring Oral Care Month in March with free DentaStix for every dog that attends a check.
There is a great deal that can be done. To follow Donal’s article from last month, there are homeopathic remedies of great help. There are also remedies from the herbal medicine cabinet of value.
However, even with all these, you cannot beat a good diet and chews that have the right sort of substrate to clean the teeth physically, and in the absence of this, brushing teeth daily. There are many aids out there to help prevent the build up of plaque and tarter.
However once the disease process is underway, surgical intervention that may or may not follow a course of antibiotics is often the first stop
Dental disease in our pets is serious; it hurts, it smells and it can be fixed.
Do something about it.
• In our next All Creatures feature, on March 26, Neil Phillips, of the Pet Doctors veterinary practice, Newport, will write about treating harvest mites in dogs and cats.