Periodontal Disease


Periodontal Disease

canine dentistry, dog dentistry, bad teeth dogs

The study and treatment of the periodontium is known as periodontics.  The supporting structures of the tooth comprise the periodontium.  Included in these supporting structures are the gingiva, periodontal ligament, alveolar and supporting bone and the cementum of the tooth root.  Healthy gingiva has a sharp tapered edge that rests in close proximity to the crown of the tooth.  A moat is formed around the tooth by the free gingival and is called the gingival sulcus.  The lower extent of the gingival sulcus is where the epithelial attachment of the gingiva to the tooth root is located.  This sulcus ranges from 1mm to 3mm deep in the mouth of a healthy dog.

Periodontal disease is a major concern for the owners of dogs.  Periodontal disease is the most common ailment in animals and humans!  This is not surprising as the mouth, being warm and moist, is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.  Add to this the fact that the nutrition put into the mouth to nourish the body provides ample nutrition for these bacteria and the picture is made complete.

One of the major differences between tooth decay and periodontal disease is the fact that tooth decay often presents pain or tooth discomfort whereas periodontal disease can be present and have no immediately obvious symptoms appear.  All the while, gingival tissues are being damaged by plaque through the action of bacteria and endotoxins released by the plaque.  If left untreated, the teeth will become loose and drop out of the mouth.

periodontism, gingiva, gingival sulcus,periodontium,endotoxins,periodontal disease,what are the symptoms of periodontal disease

What is periodontal disease?  Periodontal disease is any infection or abcess along the gum line, including plaque and gingivitis.  Any infection that attacks the periodontium (supporting structures of teeth) is also considered periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is challenging to control when it has developed.  Therefore, prevention of periodontal disease is of utmost concern.  Many other diseases can contribute to the severity of periodontal disease, however, there is only one primary cause of periodontal disease, plaque.

Plaque is a slippery white film that forms in the gingival sulcus of the tooth.  Plaque consists of a number of materials and living organisms; bacteria, food debris, exfoliated cells and salivary glycoproteins.  Eventually, plaque accumulation will mineralize on the teeth forming yellow-brown stains called dental calculus.

When periodontal disease is already present, destruction of the gingival sulcus has already started and will continue to deteriorate if left untreated.  While the bacteria begin to proliferate, the chances of the infection gaining access to the bloodstream and becoming systemic increase quite rapidly.  If the infection becomes systemic, it will spread to organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs and heart.  Death of your dog will be the final result if left untreated.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?  Several warning signs indicate periodontal disease is present.  If you notice any sign of plaque, a slippery white film on the teeth, or discoloration of your dog’s teeth you have found  an early warning sign of periodontal disease.  Other warning signs include: persistent bad breath, gums that bleed easily, red, swollen or tender gums, gums that have pulled away from the teeth and loose or separating teeth.

More on periodontal disease and how to treat and prevent it are found in DK Publishers book Intelligent Development for Dogs.  Also, the five commands every dog should know and how to teach them and includes training hand signals, crate training and much more!  Just follow the link for safe and secure download through PayPal.

 
 

Canine Dentistry


Canine Dentistry

canine dentistry, dog dentistry, bad teeth dogs

There are a number of responsibilities that every dog owner has to face. A responsibility that is often overlooked is the dog’s teeth. Despite this, veterinary dentistry is vital in maintaining the health of the your dog. These are a few areas with which to familiarize yourself.

Dental scaling and polishing-Dental scaling begins with a complete examination of the oral cavity. Most dental scaling procedures require the use of mechanical and/or hand scalers. Following the dental scaling procedure the teeth are polished to halt the rapid accumulation of plaque. The teeth are then examined for any remaining plaque. Following dental scaling and polishing, periodontal probes are used to check along each tooth. It is recommended that patients with pre-existing periodontal disease begin antibiotic treatment three days prior to dental scaling.

Endodontics- The study and treatment of the inside of the tooth, also called the pulp, and the tip of the tooth root is known as Endodontics. The pulp contains bundles of nerves, blood vessels and other tissues. . The dental pulp is a fundamental building block for immature teeth. Providing nutrients needed for strengthening the tooth wall is one of the dental pulp’s major responsibilities. Cracked and broken teeth are the major cause of endodontic disease in dogs. Endodontic treatment or tooth extraction is called for regarding any cracked or broken tooth. Included in these treatments are root canal, pulp capping and pulpotomy. Without treatment, infection will probably cause abcess to occur. You may notice swelling or draining just below the eyes. These abcesses can be extremely painful and a source of infection which can spread to other teeth and the bloodstream. If allowed to reach the bloodstream, infection can be fatal.

bad teeth, dog dentistry, canine dentistryPeriodontics- Periodontics is the study and treatment of the supporting
structures of the teeth. Periodontal disease is characterized by swelling of the gum and
other supporting structures surrounding the tooth. Periodontal disease is difficult to
control once it has developed; which makes prevention key. If allowed to develop, periodontal disease is difficult to control. To stop periodontal disease, it is imperative to reduce plaque accumulation. By the age of three, eighty percent of dogs show some sign of periodontal disease. If not treated, periodontal disease can cause serious health issues and even death.

Dental Radiography- Dental radiography assists in the treatment of difficult extractions and sometimes dental restorations. Dental radiography can assist with early detection of serious problems.

Restorative Dentistry- Restorative dentistry seeks to repair a tooth before it can be destroyed by cavities, fractures or breaks. As a tooth loses its contour it can become prone to periodontal disease. Teeth become prone to periodontal disease following the loss of contour. A crown is one choice in the restoration of a tooth suffering from coronal structure loss.

Orthodontics- Orthodontics is the prevention and correction of irregularities and misalignment of the teeth. The number one goal of performing orthodontic correction is to lessen pain Caused by misaligned
teeth or misalignment that will lead to endodontic or periodontal disease. If genetic abnormalities are suspected, the owner should consider having the animal spayed or neutered to prevent the propagation
of inferior genes.

These treatments are often expensive and can be traumatizing to your dog. However, most can be avoided with a little help from you. Chew toys can help lessen plaque accumulation along the gum line. If you allow your dog to chew bones, the chewing action will also help lessen plaque accumulation.

Tooth decay is noticeable through visual examination and the presence of chronic bad breath. Periodontal disease on the other hand, is often present without any noticeable symptoms. The supporting structures of the teeth are damaged by plaque in two ways. The first is the action of the bacteria and the second is endotoxin released from the plaque. An endotoxin is a toxin that is released by bacteria as they die. Without treatment the tooth will eventually become loose and then fall out.


What is periodontal disease?

Plaque, gingivitis and any infection that attacks the periodontium (supporting structures of the teeth) is periodontal disease. When periodontal disease is already present, destruction of the gingival sulcus has already started and will continue to deteriorate if not treated. As the bacteria accumulate, the chances of it gaining access to the bloodstream and becoming systemic increase quickly. If it becomes systemic, it will spread to organs such as the liver, kidney, lungs and heart. Left untreated, death of the animal will be the final result.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

There are several indicators that show the presence of periodontal disease. One warning sign is the presence of plaque, a slippery white film, or discoloration of your dog’s teeth. Other warning signs include:
chronic bad breath, gums that bleed easily, red, swollen or tender gums, gums that have pulled away from the teeth and loose or separating teeth.

Periodontal disease may begin slowly for some dogs, yet others develop a rapidly progressing form of the disease. Periodontal disease dog dentistry, bad teeth dogs, canine dentistryvaries for each dog. Some have a rapidly developing form of the disease while others may have slower developing variety. The goal in treating periodontal disease is the elimination of plaque and calculus (calcified plaque) from the teeth and preventing the reattachment of plaque on the teeth.

Your dog will lack the ability to adequately chew its food unless it has a full set of healthy teeth. Be certain to keep your dog’s health records up to date and seek dental care for it if you notice any symptoms of tooth decay or periodontal disease. Also provide chew to toys to scrub plaque from the teeth and plenty of clean water that will keep your dog hydrated and wash away plaque from its mouth. Be certain to wash your dog’s food and water bowls at least once a week.

With only a small amount of effort and a little thought about your dog’s diet, excluding items that stick to teeth including items that scrub the teeth without damaging the enamel, it is easy to keep your dog’s teeth healthy.
For more information on canine dentistry, periodontal disease and much more purchase DK Publishers Intelligent Development for Dogs. Safe and secure transfer provided by PayPal. Just follow the link below. Thanks!

 

Feral Cats and Flea Infestation

Feral Cats and Flea Infestation

Dog owners must make themselves aware of the problem of feral cats. Feral cats are seen in most every neighborhood in the United States. Due to the fact that they are so common most people do not even notice them.  Most dog owners are unaware that the flea that

Flea Infestation

Flea infested cat.

infests most dogs of the world is actually Ctenocephalides felis, or cat flea. Ctenocephalides felis, or cat flea can cause a variety of disease and dermatological problems. With that in mind, people often think of ways to prevent fleas and ticks infestation.

These blood sucking insects are spreading disease that affects many different species of mammal; including humans. The common flea causes flea allergy dermatitis and other disease in dogs and cats that have been abandoned or left untreated against the common flea. Many pet owners simply ignore the spread of disease that can be easily controlled by cat flea treatment.

Common fleas are dropped onto the grass, soil and where your dog plays and sleeps. Flea eggs are then laid and subsequently hatch causing feline flea infestation in 1-6 days. Flea infestation in the grass and soil is then transferred to humans, often children as they play outside. Children are more susceptible to bacterial infections and parasitism caused by feline flea infestation than are adults.

The common flea spreads on roaming animals (feral cats) and transmit disease wherever they go. Including feline flea allergy dermatitis, tapeworms, iron deficiency anemia, skin rashes, and kidney and central nervous system disease. The bite of the feline flea starts with skin itching and discomfort and then may progress to the more severe diseases just mentioned. The black plague was transmitted by the feline flea from infected rats, ground squirrels and other rodents. Further incentive to prevent fleas and ticks infestation.

flea allergy dermatitis

Flea allergy dermatitis

Tapeworms are one of the most common parasites spread by the common flea. Any person that is bitten by a flea that carries a tapeworm egg, or accidentally ingests such a flea, will develop a tapeworm. Abdominal pain is usually the first symptom. After a time of infestation, oval shaped whitish pods will appear in the stool of the infected animal or person. They may resemble cucumber seeds.

A tapeworm is a long, flat parasite that lives in the intestines of the host animal. Iron deficiency anemia is often caused by the tapeworm. Tapeworms can cause nutrient deficiency, and in severe infestation, bloating of the stomach.

Persons that see any feral cats should call Animal Control as soon as possible. Dog owners must provide treatment against feline flea infestation for their dogs. Cat owners should never leave a cat behind, thinking it will be better off because it can fend for itself. Think of the children that will undoubtedly become host to any number of parasites because a feral cat has now invaded their neighborhood.

There are a number of products that can aid a person in preventing common flea infestation. An informed person will look for a product with an IGR, or insect growth regulator. Insect growth regulators break the life cycle of the common flea by stopping its development into an adult flea. Due to the fact that insect growth regulators do not kill they are not considered insecticide. Nonetheless, care should always be taken when handling any IGR.

Imidacloprid is one of the most effective insecticides used against the common flea. It not only kills and repels cat fleas and their larva, it kills and repels ticks and mosquitos as well. The combination of imidacloprid and permethrin removes 98% of fleas within twelve hours.

DK Publishers new book Intelligent Development for Dogs contains even more information on fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and even more information. It is available for download through PayPal. Just follow the link below.

Intelligent Development for Dogs

Intelligent Development for Dogs

Intelligent Development for Dogs is the latest publication by DK Publishers and contains all the fundamentals every dog owner should know!

 

It starts with how to housebreak your dog.  You will learn not only how to housebreak your dog but the reason why it is so important.

Following this is the five basic commands every dog should know and how to teach them to your dog.  Includes how to teach hand signals!

Explains crate training!  Intelligent Development for Dogs explains crate training and the significance of crate training!

Explains why dog food cannot provide adequate nutrition for your dog and how you can give your dog the best in nutrition to your dog without breaking the bank!

Intelligent Development for Dogs will teach you how to read dog food labels so you will see firsthand the nutritional deficiencies in dog food!

Intelligent Development for Dogs details the Canine Body Scoring system and how to apply it in help determining your dog’s health!

You will learn the effects your dog’s diet has on its skin and coat!

Intelligent Development for Dogs explains how to provide support for your dog’s healthy immune system!

Intelligent Development for Dogs discusses periodontal disease and how to prevent it!

 Intelligent Development for Dogs includes full color diagrams of the life cycles of the most common internal and external parasites your dog may encounter and how to treat against them!

Intelligent Development for Dogs is a complete and comprehensive guide to owning a dog!  It provides all the basic knowledge needed in raising  intelligent and healthy dogs.  Every dog owner needs this information to ensure they have the best for their dogs!  The information provided by Intelligent Development for Dogs will help you to add years your dog’s life by teaching you to provide adequate nutrition for its healthy immune system.  It will explain why clean teeth are imperative in the endeavor to add years to your dog’s life.  The full color diagrams of internal and external parasites provide the reality of these pests and the text tells how to prevent them from occurring and how to eradicate them if your dog does happen to encounter these vermin.  Intelligent Development for Dogs will explain why many skin problems can be erased by a simple change in your dog’s diet.  An explanation of the canine body scoring system and how veterinarians use it in determining your dog’s health is also included.  Plus housebreaking, crate training and the five commands every dog should know!  No dog library is complete without Intelligent Development for Dogs!

 

Why Dog Food Cannot Provide Quality Nutrition

Why Dog Food Cannot Provide Quality Nutrition

 

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Wrong way to feed

Most people believe that dog food is made with the best health of their dog in mind. Is this really the case? After careful research, it has been determined that it is not the case with most dog foods. Dog food is an invention that was developed to provide profit from food products that are unfit for human consumption. Unless you can identify the product in the ingredient list, dog food manufacturers are not adding the fresh meat and vegetables they show on the packages. Instead, it has been suggested, they use diseased and dying animals that have not passed inspection for use as human grade food as animal protein.

For vegetables, again they use the vegetables that have not passed inspection for human consumption and use stems and leaves etc. that are discarded in processing of human grade food products. Dog owners should buy their dog food from the refrigerated dog food section. These must be refrigerated to maintain the freshness of the product inside. These dog foods use quality ingredients that will provide for optimum health of your dog.

However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Dry dog food starts with yellow corn meal, corn germ meal as its base. Corn does contain some nutritional value, nonetheless, the majority of corn passes through the digestive system without being absorbed. Corn is not a food that a dog would encounter in the wild on a regular basis. The pertinent question is,” Why would corn be used as dog food base if dogs do not naturally eat it as the largest part of their diet?” The answer is because there is such an abundance of corn available it is very cheap. Cheap ingredients lead to larger profits.


Soy protein is becoming an increasingly popular protein source for manufactured dog foods. The problems with soy are too numerous to list in this publication. Suffice it to say that soy is known by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to be among the nine most common food allergens. Soy also contains phytoestrogen, a plant form of the hormone estrogen.

Meat meal and bone meal are the next two ingredients.  These are often followed by soybean meal.  Next is beef tallow preserved with mixed tocopherols, a form of vitamin E.  Some dog foods contain corn gluten meal.  Most of these ingredients are not for human consumption.  If it is unhealthy for me to eat, why would it be healthy for my dog to eat?  The answer, is it is not healthy for your dog.

Based upon the top five ingredients, the manufacturers determine crude analysis.  This is determined before the food is actually packaged.  The word “crude” seems to state the actual value of the food.

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Intelligence shown in a smile

The source of these ingredients is found in food that is ear-marked not for human consumption.  There are two sources of protein available for the diet of your dog.  These sources are animal and plant.  Animal sources are the best sources for protein; while plant sources provide limited proteins.

The energy provided by most dog foods is derived from fat.  Again, this is based on a minimum amount as set by the AAFCO with a one size fits all type of mentality.  Fat is added for flavor, not for nutrition that supports the well being of your dog.  Feeding a dog large amounts of useless calories in this corn meal base causes your dog’s body to store fat and, eventually, become obese.  After an extended period of this diet, your dog will become fat and lazy.  They will no longer have the body or energy necessary to be athletic.  The law of inertia comes into play now…a body at rest will stay at rest…

 


Casual observation shows that there are many overweight dogs in industrialized nations.  Not so much in the rest of the world.  Why is this?  Dog food is only sold in industrialized nations.  The rest of the world feeds their dogs what they eat.  So, why are their dogs not overweight?  It is not simply because they do not have enough food to feed their dogs.  It is, in large part, because dogs that eat manufactured food eat many empty calories, calories with little or no nutritional value other than the calories themselves.  Dogs in industrialized nations must overeat to obtain adequate nutrition from most manufactured dog foods; which leads to obesity.

More information concerning why mass produced dog food and its inability to provide quality nutrition to your dog can be found in DK Publishers ebook Intelligent Development for Dogs.  Intelligent Development for Dogs is available for download through PayPal. Just follow the link below.

Controlling Tapeworm Infection In Dogs

Controlling Tapeworm Infection In Dogs


Dogs are susceptible to infection by a number of tapeworms.  These tapeworms can also infect a human host; therefore controlling tapeworms is a must.   The most common of these tapeworms are Dipylidium caninum, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia ovis, Taenia krabbei, Multiceps serialis and Echinococcus granulosus. The species that may infect your dog depends upon geographic location.

All tapeworms develop in an intermediate host before infecting a dog. D. caninum uses fleas for larval development. T. hydatigena, T. ovis and t. krabbei have larval development in a ruminant, elk, moose, deer or sheep typically. T. hydatigena develops in the body cavity while T. ovis and T. krabbei develop in the muscles. T. pisiformis has larval development in the body cavity of rabbits.

Diagnosing infections by the Taenia species and D. caninum is typically performed by seeing body segments in the fur. These species generally do not release eggs in the feces.

E. granulosis differs in the fact that this species’ eggs often are passed in the feces and appear similar to Taenia eggs. D. caninum eggs are found in packets containing 1 to 20 eggs inside a thin walled membrane.

Methods for controlling tapeworm varies among the species. D. caninum control hinges upon controlling fleas. Flea control comes in a variety of forms, starting with keeping the dog’s bedding area clean.  To prevent infection by the Taenia species, your dog should not have access to any intermediate host animal. This means do not allow your dog to hunt rabbits or rodents

Controlling internal and external parasites is a must for all dog owners.  For a complete inventory on the most common of these parasites, you can purchase a copy of Intelligent Development, published by DK Publishers.  Intelligent Development covers many topics important to all dog owners including: five commands every dog should know and how to teach them to your dog, housebreaking, crate training, canine body scoring, periodontal disease and much more.  Included are ten full color diagrams of the life cycles of the most common dog parasites and many pictures of intelligent dogs. Order Intelligent Development for Dogs through PayPal.  Just follow the link below.

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