3DLIFE Page Editor: Jim Barr, 754-0424 LAKE CITY REPORTER LIFE SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013 3D PETS Toothbrush could cure bad pet breath “But cats are another story,” Animals also need she added. brushing at home, Harvey said that’s because cats’ mouths are smaller, their regular checkups. teeth sharper and they could care less about bonding with a human By SUE MANNING during designated tooth time. Associated Press Keith said she took it slow when she began brushing the LOS ANGELES — Dogs and teeth of her 8-year-old greyhound cats can’t brush, spit, gargle or Val. She started with one tooth at floss on their own. So owners a time and used a foamless fla- who want to avoid bad pet breath vored gel that dogs can swallow. will need to lend a hand. “She started to nibble (on “Brushing is the gold stan- the toothbrush) and I rubbed dard for good oral hygiene at it on her front teeth. I didn’t home. It is very effective, but make a big deal out of it. I didn’t some dogs and more cats don’t worry about brushing the first appreciate having something half dozen times. It was just a in their mouth,” said Dr. Colin little bonding thing. Eventually, Harvey, a professor of surgery I brushed one tooth. Now she and dentistry in the Department stands there and lets me brush of Clinical Studies for the all her teeth,” she said. University of Pennsylvania’s The gel doesn’t require water School of Veterinary Medicine. to rinse, lessening the likelihood The bulk of bad breath odor — ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS of a mess. A year later, “(Val’s) the trademark rotten egg smell gums look healthy to me, and it — comes from hydrogen sulfide, doesn’t seem she has any more which is waste from anaerobic tartar,” Keith said. bacteria that thrive without oxy- Oral care products for animals gen in places like gaps between ABOVE: A cat named Pepper are generally not regulated by teeth and gums. Plaque buildup gets her teeth brushed by her any federal agency, although the also invites the bacteria and as owner, in Phoenix. RIGHT: Food and Drug Administration the accumulation grows, so does monitors all products that claim the smell. Veterinary technician Aubrey to prevent or slow disease. The Animal shelters and rescues Mallory checking the teeth of a agency does not test products know bad breath and filthy teeth six-week-old male pit bull mix that claim cleaner teeth, fresher can be a deal breaker. Some named Kobe, in Vero Beach. breath or the reduction of plaque shelters, such as the Humane Regular exams help spot bad and tartar, Harvey said. Society of Vero Beach & Indian breath, an early warning sign of The VOHC is not a regula- River County in Florida, shuffle pet dental disease. Dogs and cats tory agency but it uses American their charges through a dental can’t brush, spit, gargle or floss Dental Association guidelines to health program before the ani- on their own. So owners who test pet plaque and tartar prod- mals are adopted out. want to avoid bad pet breath will ucts. Test requests are voluntary “We usually do dental clean- need to lend a hand. but companies pay nonrefundable ings and extractions when ani- submission and annual mainte- mals are spayed or neutered so nance fees. Products are given a the animal doesn’t have to be VOHC seal if they pass. put under anesthesia again after The council has approved a adoption and the adopter has human, ADA-compliant, flathead one less thing to worry about,” teeth, and it may just be a mat- tion or use other products such dard size and shape because they toothbrush with soft bristles and said Janet Winikoff, the shelter’s ter of cleaning the tartar off that as water additives, chew toys, were evolved from wolves” but rounded tips for pet use. A child’s director of education. gets them back looking their plaque and tartar cleaners, and for toy breeds, their jaw size was brush can be used for small pets If a pet is already spayed or age and that helps them to be dental diets, Harvey said. reduced and tooth size was not, and an adult size for big dogs, but neutered, it will still get dental adopted,” said Silva. Puppies and kittens are born “so their teeth are too large for don’t use human toothpaste on care before adoption, she said. The animals that need a clean- toothless. They get their baby their mouths,” he added. pets, Harvey warned. Harvey added that bad breath ing get chew toys or ropes, hard teeth before they’re a month old, Christie Keith, a communica- Such toothpastes contain could also be a symptom of an treats or cookies and a prescrip- lose them three to five months tions consultant to animal wel- detergents that foam and pets underlying medical problem. tion diet if the vet orders it, she later and get their permanent fare and veterinarian groups, said will swallow it instead of spitting Stacy Silva, Santa Barbara said. teeth by age 1. Dogs have 42 she spends about two minutes it out, he said. County Animal Services’ com- Harvey, who has been direc- teeth and cats have 30. each night brushing the teeth Harvey said he can’t comment munity outreach coordinator, tor of the Veterinary Oral Health Toy dogs tend to have more of her three dogs after dinner. on any product VOHC hasn’t noted that wear on teeth could Council since it was founded in dental problems because breed- The Davisburg, Mich., resident tested, but as a rule, any wipe, give the wrong impression of 1970, said such products are good ing for their smaller size hasn’t believes most dog owners need- tongue cleaner or additive should an animal’s age. “(The animals) substitutes for a teeth-brushing. caught up with evolution, Harvey lessly fear brushing their dogs’ be beneficial — although noth- may look a lot older than their Pet owners can try a combina- said. “Primitive dogs had a stan- teeth. ing beats brushing. Super Bowl Party Idea Food allergy now Sweet, sticky ribs for the game legally listed as By ALISON LADMAN medial disability Associated Press By MARY CLARE JALONICK institution to serve glu- The day of the big game Associated Press ten-free foods and make calls for big, stick-to-your- other accommodations for ribs grub. WASHINGTON — students who have celiac So we went with that as People with severe food disease. At least one stu- a theme, creating a recipe allergies have a new tool in dent complained to the fed- for boneless beef short ribs their attempt to find menus eral government after the that are inspired by all the that fit their diet: federal school would not exempt sweet and sticky goodness disabilities law. And that the student from a meal of Chinese-style pork ribs. could leave schools, res- plan even though the stu- To keep you in front of taurants and anyplace else dent couldn’t eat the food. the television instead of the that serves food more vul- “All colleges should heed stove, we kept the recipe nerable to legal challenges this settlement and take simple. Start by dumping over food sensitivities. steps to make accommo- everything in a bowl to A settlement stemming dations,” says Alice Bast, marinate. When you’re from a lack of gluten-free president and founder of ready to cook, transfer it to foods available to students the National Foundation a baking sheet and pop it in at a Massachusetts uni- for Celiac Awareness. “To the oven. Done. versity could serve as a our community this is defi- To make sure the ribs precedent for people with nitely a precedent.” are meltingly tender, they other allergies or condi- People who suffer from cook low and slow while tions, including peanut celiac disease don’t absorb you watch the first half of sensitivities or diabetes. nutrients well and can the game. They should be Institutions and businesses get sick from the gluten good to go right around half- subject to the Americans found in wheat, rye and time. And if beef isn’t your With Disabilities Act could barley. The illness, which thing, the same approach be open to lawsuits if they affects around 2 million will work with pork ribs fail to honor requests for Americans, causes abdom- and chicken wings (though ASSOCIATED PRESS accommodations by people inal pain, bloating and diar- you’ll need to adjust the Sweet and sticky, slow-cooked short ribs, served on skewers for easy munching, will be a big with food allergies. rhea, and people who have cooking time). hit with hungry fans who can’t tear themselves away from all the Superbowl action. Colleges and universi- it can suffer weight loss, ties are especially vulner- fatigue, rashes and other Sweet and sticky, sauce able because they know problems. Celiac is a diag- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, red pepper flakes, the reserved 1/2 cup of their students and often nosed illness that is more tender short ribs sugar five-spice powder, sesame marinade and increase require them to eat on severe than gluten sensi- 1/2 teaspoon red pep- oil and garlic. Reserve 1/2 the oven temperature to campus, Eve Hill of the tivity, which some people The servings indicat- per flakes cup of the mixture in a 450 F. Return to the oven Justice Department’s civil self-diagnose.