TEETH
TEETH
It is very kosher to brush your Pug’s teeth. It is popular, hip and completely accepted among the animal lover’s population as we have discovered the advantage to keeping tartar far removed from our friends teeth.
What is tartar? You will notice it as a yellow or brownish color on your Pugs teeth. If your Pug does not want you to clean his teeth with a toothbrush, there are many chew objects at pet stores that aid in removing tartar from teeth. My personal favorite is thick, raw, soup bones. My Pugs spend a lot of time gnawing and scraping their teeth over these bones to remove little scraps of meat. They have very healthy teeth and gums.
If you have to have your Vet clean your Pugs teeth, he may suggest that your Pug be put under in order to clean the teeth. I would want to make sure this is absolutely necassary, as putting a Pug under is always a risk. If this is a necassary procedure, please use the same caution as you would during a spay or neuter by using Isoflourane gas to sedate them and to put them under with. Make sure a heart moniter is on and an oxygen tube is in place. See to it that your Pug baby is carefully watched until he is fully awake.
WARNING- Use only toothpaste for dogs. Human toothpaste is harmful and toxic to canines.
Imagine how your teeth would look and feel if you didn't brush them routinely. Now, imagine what it would be like if you never brushed them at all. Well, the same applies to your pet's teeth. Unless you are regularly providing some form of dental care, you are neglecting an important factor in the overall health of your pet.
Gum (or periodontal) disease is one of the most common problems seen by wterinarians today. Periodontal disease is known as the "silent disease" because of its slow, progressive nature. Besides bad breath, gum disease can lead to loss of appetite, weight loss, serious generalized infections, and even heart and kidney disease.
The problem begins when plaque and tartar are allo\A/ed to build up on a pet's teeth. Plaque harbors the bacteria which can lead to infection.
Signs and Symptoms of Poor Oral Health
* Persistent, foul mouth odor
* Inflamed gumline (red, swollen or tender)
* Plaque formation frnay not be obvious)
* Tartar formation (creamy-brown, hard material on the tooth surface)
* Bleeding, receded or eroded gums
* Loose teeth
* Infected teeth (pus betvken teeth and gums)
* Missing teeth
If any of the above signs appear, contact your veterinarian for an oral examination.
Treatment and Prevention
The first step in promoting oral health is to have your pet's hardened tartar removed by your veterinarian. Since this requires the use of special instruments and equipment, it is not possible to remove the tartar yourself.
Secondly, most veterinarians recommend an oral hygiene program which includes brushing your pet's teeth on a regular basis with a toothpaste formulated for animals. [BOLD] Do not use human toothpaste. Do not use baking soda. [BOLD] Human toothpastes contain ingredients which may cause gastric problems and foaming in the mouth. The high sodium level of baking soda may cause problems in some animals, especially those with a heart condition.
Diet is also a major factor in the development of plaque and tartar. Soft or sticky foods can contribute to periodontal disease. Hard, crunchy foods and dog biscuits are helpful, but they are not the entire answer either. Recent studies indicate beefhide chews are much more effective in maintaining clean teeth, but additional prewntive care is usually still necessary.
The same preventive techniques recommended for humans, especially routine brushing, are the most effective means of controlling plaque and tartar build-up in animals.
Teeth Cleaning Instructions
It is important to establish a pleasant routine for you and your pet. Start your home dental care program slowly and pick a time when you are both relaxed, preferably after mealtime. Begin by simply handling your pet's mouth for several minutes a day. Go slow and be affectionate. After a few days of becoming accustomed to this, gently hold the mouth closed with one hand, lift the lip on one side of the mouth and brush the teeth and gums. Brushing gently in a back-and-fbrth motion is most practical, although circular motion is more effective. Increase the number of teeth brushed each time until your pet accepts the routine willingly. The whole process should take only a minute or two. Use of a specially flavored animal dentifrice is often helpful. Just letting your pet taste the paste will often encourage acceptance. To assure gentle application, always use an extra soft-bristled tooth- brush designed for animal use. Various types of animal toothbrushes are available fromyourvetehn- arian. When starting a brushing routine, a "finger" brush (a brush that fits over an index finger) is often the least intrusive for the pet and most convenient to use.
After brushing, gine a reward and a lot of love and affection. Besides toothbrlishing, other methods including the use of gauze pads, enzymatic beefhide chews and oral hygiene sprays can play an important pan in the oral health of your pet.
Whichever method you choose, your pet will certainly appreciate your efforts.
GOOD LUCK!
NOTE: If your pet is a "struggle", an initial restraint method is to wrap your pet in a large bath towel with just the head protruding. Or ask a friend for help. If you continue to have problems brushing your pet's teeth, call your veterinarian.