PDSA Reveals Scale Of UK Doggy Dental Problems

Late last month, human scientists revealed a link between bad oral hygiene and heart disease, finding that those with the worst tooth care habits had a 70% increased chance of developing a ‘cardiovascular event’, compared with those who brush their teeth twice a day. Now, the PDSA has released figures that indicate that our pets might be in trouble too.

Many people know that we should brush our pets’ teeth regularly, or at the very least give them plenty to chew on to do the job themselves. But how many of us actually invest the proper time and dedication to our pets’ teeth and gums? Not enough, apparently. Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, has reported a worrying rise in dental disease among dogs over the last two years.

PDSA health checks of more than 13,000 dogs across the UK in 2007 and 2009 show a worrying 5% rise in the number of dogs suffering from dental disease, with the figure now standing at 24% in total. When this figure is applied to the entire UK dog population (8.3 million) it means nearly 2 million dogs could be suffering from dental disease. (Cats don’t fare much better either: a staggering 8% of cats seen by the charity needed some form of dental surgery.)

Northern Ireland and Wales are the worst offenders, with 30% of their respective pet populations suffering from dental decay. In Northern Ireland, this figure has doubled in the last two years. Only Scotland and London saw a decrease in the number of pets needing attention (of 6% and 7% respectively), but not enough to stop the overall figure rising. The best area in England for healthy pet gums is the North East, where only 20% of pets needed treatment. However, this is still too many, says the PDSA.

Pets with dental disease can develop painful tooth decay and risk losing some, if not all, of their teeth. Dental disease can also trigger inflammation of the gums, making it difficult for animals to eat, and health problems in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys and heart valves.

The key reason for this rise, according to the PDSA, is poor doggie diets, and lack of proper dental care or awareness on behalf of the owner. Owners have admitted to feeding their pets inappropriate, sugary treats including sweet tea, biscuits, cereal, peanut butter and chocolate intended for humans (which can be poisonous to pets) on top of their recommended pet food. As well as being bad for their waistlines, this food, if left on the surface, develops into plaque. Sean Wensley, PDSA’s Senior Veterinary Surgeon, adds: “Plaque is caused by a mix of food, bacteria and saliva that sticks to the teeth. If this is left on the surface, the gums can become inflamed very quickly – in as little as four to five weeks. This can lead to infection, tooth decay and the loss of otherwise good teeth.”

Tell tale signs of dental disease include: bad breath, yellow/brown teeth, red or bleeding gums, pain or swelling of the jaw or face, lack of interest in food, face rubbing, and excessive salivation and difficulty in swallowing. If you think your dog’s teeth are in bad shape, do book him in for an appointment at the vets to get them checked out – or simply start a tooth care regime for your animal, today!

PDSA would always encourage dog and cat owners to clean their pet’s teeth daily. However, it’s not always possible, as some pets can find the process quite stressful and are far from willing to let their owner clean their teeth; the best way to avoid this is to get your puppy used to having his mouth handled from day one. Owners’ shouldn’t despair though, as specially formulated dental chews and dental diets are available to help. The greatest benefits are achieved when these products are used alongside daily brushing.

Millions of UK dogs could be suffering dental pain and losing their teeth unnecessarily due to poor diets and lack of routine dental care. Sean Wensley, says: “It’s wrong to assume that pets will lose their teeth as they get older. In reality, with a good diet and oral hygiene, there is no reason why their teeth shouldn’t last a lifetime.”

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Tags:  Animal Charities, Animal Welfare, dental problems, doggy dental problems, pdsa, Pet Health News