Hogan's Hope is for All Dogs' Good Health and Well-Being

Start slowly when brushing your dog’s teeth. Play with his or her mouth by gently putting your finger on their teeth. Progress to using your finger to brush until you can use a toothbrush.

5 Serious Illnesses Caused by Canine Dental Disease

Dental health is one of the most neglected issues in dogs. Yet, neglected teeth can quickly lead to canine dental disease other serious–and often fatal–diseases. Dr. Kathryn Primm, owner of Apple Brook Animal Hospital, and Dr. Denise Petryk, Director of Veterinary Services at Trupanion, shared with us some of the illnesses that can result from poor dental hygiene.

My deaf dog, Judea, is much too precious to us for her to develop any heart disease that could be easily avoided. Make the decision to be diligent and take good care of our four-legged family members.

1. Heart Valve Infections

Dr. Primm: “Mouth bacteria can travel and settle on the heart valves. Bacterial endocarditis (infection of the interior of the heart) is a problem of its own and can also permanently damage cardiac tissue and lead to heart disease and even heart failure.”

2. Liver Abscesses (Infections)

Dr. Primm: “It is the job of the liver to filter things, so when bacteria in the mouth is swallowed, the infection can work its way to the liver fairly easily. Treatment is long and arduous. It’s also expensive and involves long-term treatment. This can be fatal.”

3. Sepsis (Blood Infection)

Dr. Primm: “Mouth bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause sepsis (a systemic infection that goes everywhere that the blood does–outside of the blood-brain barrier). Septic pets can survive but it’s a struggle and they will die if not aggressively treated.”

Listen to your veterinarian. Our wonderful Dr. Ouellette cared about our dogs as if they were his own.

4. Poor Appetite

Dr. Petryk: “Bad teeth can be incredibly painful and lead to a decrease in appetite. Older, thin pets are at significant risk for additional weight loss, which can lead to organ failure. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether organ failure is due to bad teeth or another cause."

5. Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)

Dr. Petryk: “Severe dental disease can lead to bone infections and a broken jaw.  Bone infection (osteomyelitis) is not only painful, but it can also lead to the life-threatening complication of a broken maxilla or mandible that might not heal.  The bone under the teeth is susceptible to infection and becoming brittle.  When this bone breaks, it is very hard for it to heal AND it is very difficult for veterinarians to fix some of these fractures.”

What Can a Responsible Pet Parent Do?

The number one thing is to do almost ANYTHING - that is safe and healthy - you can to clean your dog’s teeth to prevent the possible onset of life-threatening canine dental disease. Yearly cleanings on top of daily brushing are what the vet will recommend. While some pet parents find it too difficult to brush their dogs’ teeth, alternatives are available to help keep tartar from building up in our precious dogs’ mouths. However, I believe that we need to avoid anesthesia as much as possible. BUT…do not choose not to have your dog undergo this option if the situation has gotten worse. Listen to your veterinarian.

I brush my deaf dog, Elsie’s teeth at least once a day and use a mixture of peroxide and water (50/50 ration). All my dogs. hearing and deaf, have had their teeth brushed from the beginning. The younger our dogs are when we start, the better. They learn to trust us and the toothbrush and get used to the routine. The morning seemed best for me and them. I even brushed their teeth before bedtime right after I brushed mine - makes it easy to remember!! Establishing a time every day helps us to remember and take that important minute to keep our dogs in tip-top health. I never stopped — no matter their age!!

If you can’t manage to brush their chompers even once a week, offering your pet the right kind of dental treats will definitely help maintain your pup’s teeth between cleanings and lessen their chances of developing canine dental disease. If you’re like some others and brushing your dog’s teeth is a trial if not impossible, then you’ll love the ease and the benefits of giving your dog toys and dental treats that are designed to help eliminate the plaque and bad breath. Your dog will be a happier dog as well. They don’t like scummy mouths any more than we do.

Make absolutely certain that the dog dental treats use only the highest quality ingredients to improve your dog’s dental health, along with other parts of their well-being, too. Your dog won’t even know these tasty snacks are cleaning their teeth and freshening their breath. Give your pup a shinier smile starting today!

Give your pup one a day for fresher smelling breath and cleaner teeth. Help maintain your pup’s smile and health!