Caries in dogs: causes and treatments. Veterinary dentists

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Dogs, just like humans, are prone to dental problems. Caries in dogs is common. If it is not detected in time, it can lead to disruption of the internal organs of the animal. With dogs of hunting breeds, where the capture of prey with teeth plays a huge role, the situation is even more aggravated, because caries will cause it to weaken. How to recognize caries and how to treat it?

Symptoms of disease

Signs of caries in dogs depend on the degree of neglect of the disease. At first, dark spots can be found on the dog's teeth. An unpleasant putrid smell is heard from the mouth. Over time, cavities will appear, into which food will begin to clog. The fact that the pet has problems with teeth is also evidenced by increased salivation, difficulty chewing food.

If the destruction affects the nerve endings, the dog will experience severe pain, whine, refuse to eat. On examination, veterinary dentists may detect swelling of the gums andher blush. Teeth affected by caries begin to loosen.

Veterinary dentistry

In most cases, the owner himself can detect caries in a dog. This does not require the help of a doctor. But if its signs have been identified, you need to contact a specialized city veterinary clinic, where, in addition to a visual examination, an x-ray will be prescribed. Based on the results obtained, a treatment regimen is prescribed. The prognosis for superficial lesions of the teeth, as a rule, is positive. In severe cases, they resort to surgical intervention.

Treatment should be carried out in a clinic that offers a wide range of veterinary dental services:

• treatment of teeth affected by caries;
• tartar removal by ultrasonic cleaning;
• extraction of milk and molars;
• brushing teeth.

Treatment

If a tooth has been found in an animal that shows signs of caries, it must be taken to a veterinarian who will tell you how to treat caries in a dog. Self-medication is unacceptable. With a slight lesion, when the destruction and inflammation did not affect the deep layers and the nerve, the tooth will have to be sealed. If there is no way to correct the problem surgically, the carious cavity will have to be cleaned regularly after each feeding of the dog.

Chlorhexidine, Rotokan, calendula tincture are suitable as an antibacterial agent. If applicablealcohol infusion, it must be diluted with water. For the treatment of teeth in dogs, the use of the gel "Metrogyl Denta" gives good results. The composition should be applied to the dog's teeth, which show signs of caries.

When a tooth is completely destroyed, it must be removed. Such manipulations are performed under general anesthesia. After the operation, the dog's mouth must be treated daily with special solutions. If the wound heals, auxiliary drugs will not be required. In case of suppuration, antibiotics are prescribed in injections.

Causes of caries

The exact causes of tooth decay have not yet been studied. Under the influence of organic acids, demineralization of tooth enamel and damage to the hard tissues of the tooth occur. Violation of the protective layer of enamel can be caused by:

• Mechanical factors. We are talking about injuries that arose as a result of the removal of tartar, with chips and cracks. The latter may appear at the moment when the dog chews on hard objects.
• Chemical factors. If the pH level of saliva changes or the amount of organic acids in the food is exceeded, tooth enamel is destroyed.

Changes in the hard tissues of the teeth in dogs may be caused by the fact that dogs are given thermally processed food, they chew hard foods less, resulting in a violation of the natural process of cleaning teeth from plaque and tartar.

Another reason lies in heredity. In addition, it should be noted that the frequencythe occurrence of pathology in representatives of small breeds is 15-35% higher than in medium and large dogs.

Improper nutrition can lead to dental problems. If your dog's diet is high in carbohydrates and minerals are deficient, their teeth will suffer.

Caries in a dog can appear against the background of metabolic disorders, after severe infectious diseases, in case of age-related dystrophic processes.

The consequences of untreated caries

If caries is not cured in time, the pet may develop pulpitis. By itself, pulpitis can be acute, purulent and chronic. In any case, the tooth will have to be removed. Periodontitis is another cause of untreated caries in dogs. What to do in this case, only the veterinarian will tell.

Prevention

As you know, it is easier to prevent a disease than to deal with its difficult treatment later. This also applies to caries in dogs. In order for your pet's teeth to remain he althy and strong for as long as possible, it is necessary to properly care for them. Not every owner has the opportunity to brush the dog's teeth after feeding.

However, if you feed the animal with raw bones and special biscuits for dogs, tooth decay can be prevented, because this food takes on the role of a toothbrush and cleans plaque from the teeth. To clean the teeth from plaque, you can also give your pet to chew on special chew toys. You can buy them at any pet store.

The dog's diet should consist offrom high quality feed, in which there is a sufficient amount of vitamins and trace elements. It is important to regularly show the animal to the veterinarian. If tartar is found on the dog's teeth, it is recommended to remove it without waiting for the situation to escalate.

Dog brushing: what to use and how often to clean

It is advisable to use special products to clean your dog's teeth. Toothpastes that are intended for humans should be discarded, because they can harm the animal.

The procedure will require special brushes and plaque sprays. Of the brushes, those that have the usual bristles or rubber teeth are suitable. You can also use devices that are put on the finger.

How often can this procedure be done? It all depends on the breed of dog. As mentioned above, small breeds are more prone to tooth decay, so their oral cavity will have to be looked after regularly.

Teeth brushing is a procedure that will not be very pleasant for a dog, so the animal will have to be taught to it from an early age.

Brushing your dog's teeth: useful tips

1. In order to brush the teeth of an animal, it must be fixed. If the dog is large, it is easier to carry out the procedure by sitting it on the floor. A small dog can be placed on the table.
2. If the animal reacts violently to such manipulations, it must be calmed and distracted.
3. It is desirable to start cleaning from distantteeth.
4. After the animal gets used to brushing the outer part of the teeth, you can proceed to their inner part.
5. Don't try to clean all your teeth at once. The animal must be gradually accustomed to such a procedure, each time covering more and more teeth. If the dog does not allow the mouth to be opened, do not force it, because this will frighten the animal even more.
6. After the cleaning process is completed, the pet must be rewarded with his favorite treat.

Conclusion

If you follow the rules of prevention, you will be able to avoid problems with your pet's teeth and gums. It is extremely important to regularly check with the veterinarian and monitor the condition of the animal yourself. To prevent more serious diseases, caries must be recognized at the initial stage and taken immediately.