Periowave Blog ? Gum Disease in Pets: A Problem More Common ...

Gum disease is by far one of the most common problem in cats, dogs and horses, and just like humans, gum disease can impact the whole body and have serious consequences for their health and well-being. The trouble is many animals hide their pain, and the disease is frequently late in being diagnosed.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, gum disease is estimated to affect around 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by the time they reach the age of three, although they can suffer from the disease from the age of six months onwards. Around a third of horses will suffer from some degree of periodontal disease, and about 60% of horses aged 13 years and older will have severe periodontal disease.

Gum disease in cats and dogs

With cats and dogs, just like in humans, the disease begins with signs of gingivitis, with the gum tissues becoming reddened and inflamed, and if not treated will result in periodontal pockets forming around the infected teeth. As the condition worsens, the symptoms the most common signs include bad breath, lack of appetite, weight loss, and a discharge from the eyes or nose. It?s more prevalent in animals that eat a lot of soft foods, and amongst those who don?t receive regular tooth brushing at home, or veterinary care.

Gum disease is generally diagnosed by a vet, and it?s often necessary to take x-rays to evaluate the progression. Periodontal probing is used to measure the depth of the pockets and attachment loss. Pets often need to be anaesthetised for treatment as it involves physically removing the infection by scaling and polishing the teeth.

Pets with advanced cases of periodontal disease may need extractions or further treatment such as more scaling and root planing, or even gum surgery. They are likely to need antibiotics or pain medication afterwards. Some animals may be suitable for bone replacement procedures, or tissue regeneration in worst case situations.

Cats and dogs who have suffered from periodontal disease will benefit from having their teeth regularly brushed at home with fluoride toothpaste, or they may benefit from chlorhexidine products. Being fed dry food or dental chew treats designed to clean the teeth can also help.

Gum disease in horses

Gum disease in horses is usually as a result of feed material becoming stuck in between teeth and decomposing. This results in gingivitis beginning in much the same way as in other animals, before progressing on to become periodontal disease, making it more difficult and painful to chew food, eventually resulting in the loss of teeth.

Treatment for horses involves regularly removing the plaque and polishing the surfaces of the teeth to make it more difficult for plaque to adhere. Any feed trapped in between teeth needs to be manually removed at frequent intervals to prevent bacteria from building up.

An antibacterial solution can be used to kill any remaining bacteria, but this is only really practical for the incisors. If the horse has problems with food being packed in between the teeth, it may be necessary to widen the spaces in between the teeth to allow the food to fall out naturally before it can create infection. Additional treatment includes the use of x-rays to assess the damage to the structures below the gum line, and systemic antibiotic therapy.

Gum disease is often a silent and insidious disease in humans, and it can be exactly the same in animals. Unfortunately many owners neglect their pets teeth and gums through lack of knowledge rather than a lack of care. All animals need to have regular dental care and checkups to keep their teeth healthy, which can help improve the quality of their life and even prolong it.

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