periodontal-disease-in-dogsPeriodontal disease in dogs

Periodontal disease in dogs, commonly known as gum disease, is the most common disease in dogs. According to recent veterinary studies, approximately 80% of dogs will have developed some sort of periodontal disease by the age of 1.

The guide described by our team will explain the different stages of periodontal disease in dogs and their detection, treatment and prevention.

What is periodontal disease?

Your dog’s mouth can become infected with a bacteria called periodontitis. Usually, you do not show any obvious signs or symptoms of this common disease until it has completely reached its advanced stages. Periodontitis can cause chronic pain, gum erosion, tooth loss, and bone loss. Also, the supporting structure of your dog’s teeth may be weakened.

It can be divided into four phases:

Early-stage: When bacteria accumulate in the gums through food, and the dog is not brushed, they can develop into plaque, which hardens into calculus (known as tartar). to become. This results in irritation and inflammation of the gums and is an early stage of gum disease in the dog.

Stage II: In the second stage, the attachment between the gums and the teeth breaks down.

Stage 3: Periodontitis Up to 50% of tooth support loss occurs. The third stage becomes faster than the second stage.

Stage IV: In stage IV, advanced periodontitis develops in 50% or more of the disease. During this final stage, the gingival tissue retracts, and 50% of the attachment between the teeth and gums is lost. Tartar is very obvious to the naked eye, teeth become damaged.

If not treated in time, your dog may suffer tooth loss and other serious health problems.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease in dogs?

symptoms of periodontal disease in dogs
symptoms of periodontal disease in dogs

Symptoms of periodontitis include:

  • Brown or yellow teeth
  • Bad breath
  • Swelling in gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Excessive drooling
  • Irritability
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bloody saliva
  • Trouble keeping food in the mouth
  • Blood on toys or in a bowl of water

The effects of periodontal disease on a dog are not limited to just the mouth, as it can lead to further problems with major organs and can lead to heart disease in the dog. Bacteria from the dog’s mouth when entering the bloodstream, and attach to the arteries around the heart.

What causes periodontal disease?

Poor nutrition and diet by your dog can play a role in the growth of plaque and bacteria, which eventually lead to periodontal disease. The alignment of his teeth, poor grooming habits, unclean toys, and oral hygiene can cause the pile-up effect.

How is periodontal disease in dogs treated?

Periodontal disease in dogs is treated the same way we treat gum disease in humans. With thorough cleaning and removal of all tartar and plaque from the teeth.

  • Pre-anesthesia blood work
  • IV fluids and IV catheters
  • Dental radiograph
  • Oxygen and inhaled anaesthetic, Endotracheal intubation
  • Polishing, Scaling and Washing the Gingival Areas
  • Local anaesthetic such as novocaine
  • Anesthesia 
  • Pain medicine during and after the procedure

If the vet notices an infection in your dog’s gums, they may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication for him.

What is the cost of treating periodontal disease in dogs?

If your veterinarian is only cleaning your dog’s gums and teeth, your cost will range between $200 to $300 per cleaning and scaling. This includes anesthesia and office visit fees.
In addition, the cost of treating periodontal disease depends on how many teeth are extracted and how difficult the extraction is. Extraction, if necessary, increases the cost of the total treatment, which can run into the thousands.

Among other costs, you can expect to pay an additional $200 to $300 if your vet needs radiographs to look for any potential bone loss. The X-ray will add another $800 to $1,500 to your costs. According to one of our estimates, your total cost will be between $2,000 and $3,000.

In short, maintenance, how often the teeth are cleaned with brushes and vet-recommended pastes for your dog at the office, at home, weekly and the geographic location of your area is more or less a significant factor in cost: large Everything in cities, including health care, costs more.

Changes in dog behaviour due to canine periodontal disease

As the dog progresses to periodontal disease, some behavioural changes may be experienced. These behavioural changes include:

  • Loose brake
  • Chew in different ways
  • Swelling of gums
  • Reluctance to play with chew toys
  • Reluctance to brush teeth
  • Avoiding touching lips or teeth

How can I protect my dog?

Fortunately, periodontal disease in your dog is preventable. If you spot it early, it can be treated. You can prevent periodontal disease by being proactive.

  1. The vet should be seen at least once every six months.
  2. Give your pet dog professional teeth cleaning.
  3. Brush your dog’s teeth daily to prevent bacteria and plaque from building up.
  4. chew toys

Note: (Use toothpaste specially made for dogs).

Recovery and management

The recovery time depends on the condition of the disease and the treatment required. If the veterinarian has done a simple cleaning and scalping on your dog, he should return to his regular appearance the next day. But it takes about a week to 10 days for the extraction sites to recover. Because the dog’s mouth can be sensitive during this time.

Summary of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Periodontal disease in dogs is caused by a buildup of tartar and plaque on the teeth, which can lead to gum infections, tooth loss, bone loss, and other serious health problems. Your regular care, along with regular dental checkups by your vet, can keep your dog’s mouth healthy from periodontal.

Note: The advice we give in this post is for informational purposes only and we do not constitute medical advice regarding pet dogs. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet dog's condition, please make an appointment with your nearest vet.
Emma scott

By Emma scott

The Care4Dog website aims to simplify the search for quality pet care and animal hospital emergency medical services in the United States as well as other countries. The Care4Dog website was founded by dog ​​lover Emma Scott, who has always wanted to provide the highest standard of care for pet dogs.

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