Dental Toolkit

We are happy to provide you with the Dental Digital Toolkit, a resource that makes it easy to maintain timely, relevant communications with pet parents. The Vetoquinol team is dedicated to helping pets and improving the clinic experience for you and your clients. This digital toolkit is just one of the ways we use our passion for animal health to help you grow your business.

Below, we have provided information you can simply copy and paste into social media posts, on your website, and in emails and letters to your clients. Feel free to use the information as provided or personalize to your taste. The Dental Digital Toolkit includes the following:

• 24 social media posts (including associated images) for use on sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Informational video for pet owners that you can display in-clinic or post on your website and social media pages
• 3 articles written by our technical services veterinarians for use on your website, blog or in newsletters
• 3 infographics for use online or in-clinic
• Client brochure and grading sheet

We hope you find this toolkit to be a valuable resource for your practice. Please feel free to contact your Vetoquinol USA Sales Representative with any questions.

It’s just Dog and Cat Breath. What’s all the Fuss About?

Do you ever turn your nose up to your pet’s breath? Is it hard to sit next to them with the odor of their breath? Bad breath or halitosis is certainly not limited to humans and can affect dogs and cats. While humans are typically aware (or not aware) of halitosis our pets are oblivious when their breath smells atrocious. This poses a big problem as halitosis can be due to some major dental disease and we as owners are responsible for the oral health care of our pets.

What causes halitosis?
Halitosis is the result of odor-producing bacteria that build up in your pet’s mouth, lungs or gut. While we may think that the root of bad breath is always in the mouth, it could be a sign of a more major problem with the liver, kidneys or gastrointestinal tract. Regardless, halitosis is the result of bacteria build-up, saliva and food that have contributed to plaque. If left untreated, this build-up over time can result in an infection affecting the gums and surrounding tissues of the teeth and cause the breath to worsen.

What do I do if my pet has halitosis?
First, don’t panic! There are lots of remedies and help available. The best thing you can do is make an appointment with your veterinarian for a physical exam and comprehensive oral exam. He/she will recommend specific diagnostics based on physical exam findings and history. Blood work may be recommended to figure out if there is a problem present other than oral disease. If your veterinarian finds excessive calculus, broken teeth, discolored teeth, etc. on oral exam then he/she will recommend a dental cleaning under anesthesia.

What treatment will be done for my cat and dog with halitosis?
As mentioned previously, if there are problems found on the physical exam or blood work, then those problems will be addressed first. If a teeth cleaning is warranted and there are no problems on the initial exam or blood work, then a cleaning under anesthesia will be scheduled. Cleaning under anesthesia will typically begin with a thorough oral exam, dental radiographs, and routine scaling/polishing of all the teeth. The examination and radiographs may reveal more significant concerns that may require further treatment. If abnormalities are found, such as fractured teeth, tooth root abscesses, etc., then extraction of those teeth may be recommended. After the dental cleaning, sealants may be applied in some cases. Rinses, antibiotics, and pain medication may also be sent home to reduce discomfort, help clear infection, and allow for proper healing.

What can I do at home to help prevent/treat halitosis?
There are many easy things you can do at home to help prevent halitosis. There are lots of choices of toothpaste and toothbrushes designed specifically for pet use. Pets need their teeth brushed just like humans and it is recommended to brush them once a day. If that is too often for you, even as little as once a week will be beneficial. Antibacterial rinses can help with bacterial load and in turn with halitosis (and they are easier to use than they sound!). Chews can also be given to help with the mechanical removal of plaque. Some chews even contain antibacterial ingredients that can combat the bacterial load. Finally, some dental diets offer another option for removing plaque mechanically.

Remember to have a complete oral health exam performed at least annually as part of a general physical exam. Combining regular monitoring with proper dental care as recommended by your veterinarian will help to prevent halitosis and severe dental disease from occurring. Make an appointment today!

Dental Home Care

It’s never too early to start thinking about what can be done at home to prevent dental disease in your dog or cat. When it comes to home care products, it is important that they are easy to administer, safe, effective and taste good to your pet. There are many choices out there and a consultation with your veterinarian can direct you to the most effective home care solutions.

To catch problems before they become bigger problems, physical exams, including complete dental exams, should be performed every 6 months to a year. At each of these visits, take the time to learn about solutions that will aid you in providing the best oral health care for your pet.

Oral health care at home begins with brushing your pet’s teeth. This is the best way to maintain oral hygiene between dental cleanings in dogs and cats. This should be done daily for best results, but can still be beneficial if done less frequently. Human toothpaste is not recommended because it has been known to cause gastric upset in pets and there are ingredients that should not be swallowed by dogs or cats. In addition, you will quickly find out that human toothpastes don’t taste good to dogs and cats. It may be intimidating to brush your cat or dog’s teeth, but it is easier than you think and there are many video tutorials available online. And the more you do it, the easier it gets!

Brushing may not be a realistic option for every pet. In this scenario, dental treats or chews offer an alternative or compliment to home care prevention. There is a wide range of treats and chews available and it is recommended to find products with ingredients sourced from the US. Chews and treats provide natural abrading action to help remove plaque and food debris. The two most common types of chews on the market are enzymatic chews and chlorhexidine chews. Enzymatic chews are enzymatically treated to help boost the pets’ own natural defenses (similar to enzymatic toothpaste) found in saliva and are offered in multiple sizes to accommodate the size of your pet, including cats. The chlorhexidine products contain chlorhexidine (has antimicrobial effects) which inhibits plaque accumulation on tooth surfaces, decreases the quantity of bacteria in saliva, alters the composition of microbial flora, binds to oral mucosal surfaces and is released slowly over time. As with the enzymatic chews, these chews come in multiple sizes to accommodate all dogs. Delmopinol, a prescription ingredient, is a newer ingredient in some chews that forms a preventative barrier that blocks the formation of bacteria and future formation plaque and calculus. In following the American Veterinary Dermatology College, it is not recommended to give dogs and cats cow hooves, dried natural bones, or hard nylon products because they are too hard and could damage the gums or teeth.

Rinses are available for those patients that don’t like to chew or don’t find chews palatable, have food allergies, don’t need the extra calories, or are too difficult for their owners to successfully brush their teeth. Rinses can also be added to the other home care options to improve the overall results. Rinses are often used during oral surgery and dental cleanings. Most contain 0.12% chlorhexidine with zinc, and have a pleasant taste for pets due to added breath fresheners that cover up the bitter taste of chlorhexidine. Rinses are highly effective antimicrobial, anti-plaque and anti-calculus products that aid in the prevention of tooth and gum disease. In addition, they can help with bad breath!

Other products that may be incorporated into your home care plan can include sealants, and prescription dental diets. Sealants and gels provide a physical barrier and are applied to the gum line. They prevent bacteria from invading the underlying structures of the gum. They are also used to prevent plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth. Dental diets are another option and they typically have a unique kibble size that helps remove plaque that can cause disease of the underlying structures of the gums. These can be life-long diets and work daily to clean the surface of the tooth with abrasive action.

If you have questions about the oral healthcare of your pet and want to know more about what you can do, ask your veterinarian today!

Periodontal Disease

The American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) reports that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. Age 3! This makes it one of the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets. Since pets hide their disease and pain well, periodontal disease typically does not produce obvious clinical signs to owners until the disease is in advanced stages. Because of this, it is often left untreated. Which is a shame because untreated disease increases the likelihood of the infection moving to other parts of the body potentially causing another serious health problem such as heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and bone loss. Therefore, preventative care and awareness are vital in combating this serious disease.

Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of tooth support below the gum line. It is caused by the accumulation of numerous types of bacteria at the gum line, leading to inflammation and infection of tissue and structures surrounding the teeth. Improper dental hygiene is usually the culprit for the accumulation of these bacteria.

There are two types of periodontal disease that can contribute to the inflammation and destruction of tissues: gingivitis and periodontitis.¹ ²

• Gingivitis, or the inflammation at the gum line, is started by plaque and contributes to bad breath. Oral examination may reveal red, swollen, or bleeding gums. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible and limited to the gum tissue. That is why it is best to get it treated right away, before it leads to periodontitis.
• There are several visual signs in a pet that has developed periodontitis: abnormal pocketing between the root of the tooth and gum, gum recession, gum swelling and inflammation along with calculus. Toxins from the bacteria and host immune system increase permeability and breakdown the supporting tissues.² You may notice that affected teeth are loose and contain debris under the gum line. This can eventually lead to tooth loss or require removal of the tooth.

It is important to bring your pet to their annual veterinarian visits for a thorough oral examination. Should periodontal disease be found, the treatment your veterinarian chooses will depend on the severity of the disease. If gingivitis is present, a comprehensive cleaning of the teeth, including above and below the gingival margin is required with further treatment possible.² Gingivitis will most likely return if the plaque and bacteria aren’t controlled with frequent teeth cleaning and at-home care. Periodontitis is also treated with a thorough cleaning, but needs further treatment to prevent tooth loss. The procedures more specialized techniques which your veterinarian will explain or refer to a veterinary dentist to perform. Ultimately, if too much bone loss is present or supportive tissues are lost, then removal of the tooth is warranted. As with any cleaning or oral surgery, antibiotics and pain medication should be used where applicable.

The good news that periodontal disease is preventable if caught early! The AVDS has recommendations to help reduce the risk of oral health disease:

1. Routine physical exams with oral exams at least yearly.
2. At home oral care maintenance program possibly including dental diets, mouth rinsing, teeth brushing and oral chews.
3. Schedule follow-up visits.

References

1. Manfra Marretta S: Periodontal Disease. Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice 2nd Edition. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2000. p. 711-713.
2. Aiello Susan E, Mays Asa: Merck Veterinary Manual 8th Edition. Whitehouse Station: Merck & CO., Inc; 1998. p. 136-137.
3. Harvey CE: Management of Periodontal Disease: Understanding the Options. Veterinary clinics of North America Small Animal Practice 35:4. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; July 2005, p. 819-836.
4. Holmstrom SE, Bellows J, et.al.: AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. September/October 2005, Vol. 41; p. 1-7.