January 14, 2011

Dear Clients & Pets:

First off we'd like to say Happy New Year to all of our clients and their pets!  
Hope this year has started off as a great one.
I want to let you know about something extremely important- February is Pet 
Dental Month, but we are starting early! We would like to emphasize the 
importance of your pet's teeth.  Pets, like humans, need an annual dental exam.  
It is important for their health and comfort to prevent infected gums, bad 
breath, tooth decay and tooth loss.  Periodontal disease is the most prevalent 
disease among dogs and cats.  As much as 80% of dogs and cats show signs of oral 
disease by the age of three.  Smaller breeds are prone to periodontal disease 
because the teeth are often too large for their mouths, forcing the teeth closer 
together.  Dogs start out with 28 deciduous (baby) teeth, cats start out with 26 
deciduous teeth.  By the time they are 6 months old, these baby teeth fall out 
and are replaced by permanent teeth, 42 in dogs and 30 in cats.  
The following are some of the most common questions we receive:

What causes periodontal disease? 
PLAQUE!  Plaque is a colorless film that contains large amounts of bacteria.  If 
this is left unchecked, the plaque builds up and creates an infection, 
destroying gums and resulting in the loss of the tissues and bone that support 
the teeth.  

How do you prevent this?
By following preventive oral care (physicals, brushing pet's teeth at home, 
dental cleanings), you reduce the formation of plaque and help maintain proper 
oral health throughout a pet's life.  Routine physical exams that include dental 
exams are the best!  We are currently offering free dental exams with an office 
visit.

What are some signs of periodontal disease?
All pets run the risk of developing dental problems.  Some signs are: tooth 
loss, subdued behavior, abnormal drooling, dropping food out of the mouth, 
swallowing food whole, bad breath, yellow-brown crust on teeth, bleeding gums, 
going to the food bowl but not eating, change of chewing or eating habits.

Remember that bacteria from dental disease(periodontitis) can spread throughout 
the body and damage the kidneys, liver and heart.
Call today to schedule an appointment for your pet's dental exam!
Also check out this newsletter: http://animalhospitalofhallandale.com/index.php?newsletters=107


Sincerely,


Dr. Joe A. Barbosa