K PMS 485

PURINA Pro Club

Chihuahua UpdVol. 7, Noa. 1 ■ teJune 2008

Oral Disease Considered Common Problem in Chihuahuas

n her 30 years’ experience as a of lack of dental care. Over the years, that periodontal disease decreases Chihuahua breeder, Linda George I’ve done everything possible to keep significantly as dogs increase in size. Ihas had many proud moments. She my dogs’ teeth healthy and still some- The report, published in the October bred the only Chihuahua to win the times had problems.” 1994 issue of the Journal of Veteri- Toy Group at Westminster, CH Ouachitah Oral disease is the No. 1 health nary Dentistry, documented that toy For Your Eyes Only, a Smooth-Coat problem diagnosed in dogs. Without breeds have high rates of disease when Chihuahua who won in 1984. She also compared with small, medium and bred the top two sires in the history large breeds. Not surprisingly, periodon- of the breed — CH Ouachitah Beau Signs of Oral Disease tal disease was shown to increase Chiene and his littermate brother, CH significantly as dogs age. • Bad breath Ouachitah Kodiak. Plaque accumulation, gingivitis and • Loose teeth or teeth that are More than once, George has seen calculus formation initiate a more discolored or covered in tartar dental disease cut short the show serious canine oral problem. Perio- • Shying away when the mouth career of a potentially outstanding dontal disease, or gum disease, can area is touched Chihuahua. “Dental disease can be occur causing bacteria in the mouth • Drooling or dropping food one of the most devastating health to permeate into the surrounding from the mouth problems in Chihuahuas,” says George bone, resulting in bone destruction • Bleeding from the mouth of Waukesha, Wis. “Just about the and the possibility of more serious • Loss of appetite or loss of time they start coming into their own, health problems should bacteria weight when you have a mature dog in won- enter the bloodstream. derful condition and full coat, they “Usually when dogs are less than Source: American Veterinary Dental start losing their teeth.” 20 pounds, we begin to see more College (www.avdc.com) Dental disease also creates havoc dental disease,” explains Bill Gengler, by affecting an animal’s overall health D.V.M., DAVDC, associate dean of and well-being. “Bad teeth can be proper dental care, 80 percent of dogs clinical affairs at the University of catastrophic,” George says. “These dogs show signs of oral disease by age 2, says Wisconsin-Madison School of Veteri- can suffer from kidney, liver and heart the American Veterinary Dental Society. nary Medicine. “This is because toy disease due to neglected teeth. I don’t Oral disease is a problem particularly dogs have a much higher ratio of think most people appreciate that other in toy breeds, such as Chihuahua. tooth to jaw that contributes to the health problems can occur because One study of 1,300 dogs showed Continued on page 2

New Vaccine and Natural Bone Product Available for Periodontal Disease

eterinary dentistry has seen two noteworthy A dog will receive a booster three weeks later and an Vadvances in recent years. A new vaccine was first annual booster thereafter.” available in 2006, and a natural bone grafting material The new bone grafting material, called Osteo-Allorgraft, that helps to replace bone lost around teeth due to “is made of frozen canine cancellous and cortical bone periodontal disease was recently introduced. chips,” explains Manfra Marretta. “It is a combination The vaccine targets three species of Porphyromo of very small pieces of freeze-dried canine bone and bacteria found in 76 percent of dogs with periodontal demineralized powder that is placed in deep pockets disease. “An animal naturally produces saliva and cer- around a tooth when there is bone loss secondary to vicular fluid, a fluid rich in antibodies that fight these periodontal disease. bacterial organisms,” says Bill Gengler, D.V.M., DAVDC, “This product can actually help eliminate pockets that associate dean of clinical affairs at the University of were previously difficult to treat and can help provide Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. “The greater strength to a jaw that has been weakened by vaccine encourages an animal to produce additional bone loss secondary to periodontal disease,” she says. antibodies to fight these bacteria.” “This product is placed in boney defects during a dental “The use of this vaccine in toy breeds is very impor- procedure performed by a veterinarian familiar with tant because they are so prone to periodontal disease,” advanced dental techniques. Not only does it help to says Sandra Manfra Marretta, D.V.M., DACVS, DAVDC, increase bone growth in areas of loss around a tooth professor and head of small animal dentistry at the thereby helping to prevent tooth loss, it also can prevent University of Illinois. “In small-breed dogs, we recom- fractures of the lower jaw by stimulating new bone mend the first vaccination at about 6 months of age. production in cases of severe bone loss.” K PMS 485

Oral Disease continued from page 1 Ten Steps to Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

1. Use a dog toothbrush, human battery-powered spin toothbrush, nylon overcrowding of teeth. This makes it bristle child’s toothbrush, rubber finger brush, washcloth or piece of difficult for them to clean teeth natu- gauze and pet toothpaste. (Ask your veterinarian if your dog needs one rally through chewing or for an owner with special abrasives or extra enzymes.) to clean by brushing. Plaque containing 2. Position yourself on one side of your dog’s head and use one hand to bacteria can accumulate in inaccessible lift at the corner of the mouth and the other to manipulate the brush. areas, setting in motion the process that 3. Aim bristles at a 45-degree angle to the tooth, with bristles pointing results in gum disease and tooth loss. toward the gum line. Brush along the line where the gum and tooth “Keep in mind, too, canine incisor meet, which is where gingivitis starts. teeth have less bone covering them, 4. Brush with an oval motion. and periodontal disease can cause 5. Distribute toothpaste over each tooth as you brush. aggressive bone loss around teeth,” 6. Brush all sections of the mouth, including upper and lower incisors (front says Gengler, a board-certified veteri - teeth), upper and lower left arcades, and upper and lower right arcades. nary dentist. “With less bone covering 7. Brush each tooth, paying particular attention to common problem areas: teeth in the first place, incisors often upper canines (“fangs”) and upper fourth premolars, or the large shearing loosen and fall out early in the disease.” teeth toward the back of the mouth. Another potential contributor to 8. Brush outer surfaces of all teeth and, if possible, the inner surfaces periodontal disease in toy dogs is diet. though less plaque builds up on the inner surface. “Smaller dogs may be less involved in 9. Examine your dog’s mouth for any unusual swelling, chipped or broken chewing than larger dogs are,” Gengler teeth or bleeding gums. says. “Plus, owners may feed soft food, 10. Be patient and praise your dog. which does not have the abrasive qualities of a dry kibble that is needed Source: Animal Network (www.dogchannel.com) to loosen plaque from the teeth.”

Plaque Buildup Problems are other signs. Any abnormality, such brush my dogs’ teeth with it. I’ve been Oral disease is an inflammatory as loose, broken or discolored teeth using the rinse for two years and have response to plaque bacteria that or facial swelling, warrants a visit to only had one dog lose one tooth dur- accumulates at the gingival margin, the veterinarian. ing this time.” or where the gum and teeth meet. If tartar accumulates, the gums Dental disease is a progressive While some dogs suffer only mild gin- begin to recede or pull away from the condition. Owners who get a good givitis without complications, others teeth. The resulting gaps between the start on practicing good oral hygiene develop irreversible periodontal dis- teeth and gums allow more bacteria help to reduce problems later in a ease, says Sandra Manfra Marretta, to accumulate. These bacteria cause dog’s life. As Linda George says, D.V.M., DACVS, DAVDC, professor and the loss of bone surrounding the teeth, “Dental hygiene can’t be emphasized head of small animal dentistry at the which leads to loosening of teeth and enough.” ■ University of Illinois. eventual tooth loss. The inflamed tissues “Periodontal disease results from also provide easy access for bacteria a buildup of soft dental plaque on the to enter the bloodstream and poten- Purina appreciates the support of surfaces of teeth around the gum,” tially lead to disease in other parts the Chihuahua Club of America explains Manfra Marretta. “Plaque is of the body. and particularly Kim Gramlisch, a filmy mixture comprised of accumu- chairwoman of the CCA Health lated food particles, saliva and bac- Daily Attention Is Key Related Issues Committee, in teria. If plaque accumulates, bacteria Preventive steps to avoid canine helping to identify topics for the can irritate the gum tissues, often periodontal disease are essential. The Purina Pro Club Chihuahua leading to infection in the bone sur- American Veterinary Dental College Update newsletter. rounding teeth.” recommends starting at an early age As saliva is deposited on plaque, with dental home care. Regular brush- calcium salts from the saliva harden ing and taking steps to prevent the into a yellow or brown dental tartar accumulation of dental plaque are known as calculus. Tartar forms within encouraged. This includes feeding a Want to Reach the Editor? a few days on a tooth surface that is dry food and providing chew toys. Have comments about Purina Pro Club not kept clean, providing a rough sur- These steps combined with periodic Update? Send them to us at: Purina Pro face that enhances further plaque professional cleaning involving dental Club Update, c/o Editor, Nestlé Purina accumulation. Once it begins to thicken, scaling under anesthesia help to opti- PetCare, 2T Checkerboard Square, tartar is difficult to remove without mize lifelong oral health for dogs. St. Louis, MO 63164 or via e-mail at dental instruments. “The most important thing in pre- today’[email protected]. “In advanced disease, destruction of venting tooth decay and loss is daily the periodontal ligament, which attach- attention,” Gengler says. ”Brushing, es the tooth to the surrounding bone, using specialized mouth rinses, and is destroyed, resulting in the eventual taking dogs for professional cleaning Send Us Your Questions loss of teeth,” says Manfra Marretta, are all important. You can’t practice Have questions about your Purina a board-certified veterinary dentist. just one and expect great results. Points or how to redeem weight cir- “In small-breed dogs, advanced peri- You should utilize all the resources cles for rewards and rebate checks? odontal disease may also cause the you can.” Contact Purina Pro Club at (877) PRO- jaw to break because of bone loss.” At her Ouachitah Kennel, George CLUB, or (877) 776-2582, between Unfortunately, dogs may not give practices regular dental care. “Once 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST Monday through their owners obvious signs of severe the puppy teeth have fallen out, I brush Friday. You also may visit www.purina oral pain. The first indication of an oral each dog’s teeth every other day,” she proclub.com to review and redeem problem that most owners recognize says. “All dogs have monthly scaling Purina Points. is a dog’s bad breath. Reluctance to to clean the hard-to-reach back teeth. eat or chew on rawhide treats or toys, I also use a mouth rinse. I dip a soft bleeding gums and excessive salivation baby toothbrush into the rinse and

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