Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

THE MOUTH AND THROAT • 245
The teeth should be professionally cleaned, scaled, and polished to remove
all plaque and calculus. Many veterinarians now use ultrasonic dental units,
similar to the ones used on people, for cleaning dogs’ teeth. For optimum
results, the dog should be heavily sedated or given a general anesthetic.
The cleaning should be followed with a regular regimen of home oral care.
Oxyfresh washes and rinses are also helpful. See Taking Care of Your Dog’s Teeth
(page 249) for suggestions on how to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis develops as a continuation of gingivitis. The teeth are held in
their bony sockets by a substance called cementum and a specialized connective
tissue called the periodontal membrane. As the gum infection attacks the
cementum and periodontal membrane (see above the figure Structure of a
Tooth), the roots become infected, the teeth begin to loosen, and eventually
they detach. This is a painful process. Although the dog’s appetite is good, she
may sit by her food dish, eat reluctantly, and drop food from her mouth.
Drooling is common. A root abscess can rupture into the maxillary sinus or
nasal cavity, producing a purulent unilateral nasal discharge, an oral-nasal fistula
(see page 227), or a swelling below the eye.