#dog dental diseases

[breedbarks-111]

Informative 10 Common Dog Health Problems

Dog Health Problems

Dogs of all ages like puppies, adults, or seniors especially at the puppyhood stage caught some common dog health problems and illnesses. It is a part of life for every dog but the owners must be knowledgeable about these health issues that can cause serious sickness. The dog owners know very well that the first 12 months are the growing periods for their cute puppies. Therefore, they have to monitor and check their health regularly.

You can not know how common these dog diseases are in actuality because a survey in 2022 shows that veterinary services are the second major problem after pet food. According to this survey, the dogs are involved in many conditions related to their health such as eye, ear, and skin issues.

Regular vet check-ups can help reduce the risk of dog health problems. Early inspection of any dog illnesses can cure them before they become a serious problem. All pet owners try their best to keep their dogs healthy and happy by providing them with better exercise, training, and the best dog food. Unfortunately, with a lot of care, they eventually become sick because some health issues are common in all dogs.

List of Common Dog Health Problems

Pet parents understand these dog diseases and health problems and take preventive measures accordingly. That’s why we made a list of the most common dog health problems and illnesses, which can help you overcome these conditions. 

1- Dog Skin Problems

As we know skin is the major organ of humans as well as dogs. It performs a vital role in a dog’s health and regulates many functions. The skin issues are different in different dogs because there are various skin problems in all dog breeds. Skin problems occur due to many reasons including allergies, parasites, or skin infections. The dog feels discomfort all the time. Before using any ointment make sure it is vet-recommended and specifically made for dogs.

Symptoms of Skin Problems in Dogs are:

Redness

Itching

Hair Loss

Dryness

Patches or Scales

Major skin issues in Dogs:

Allergies

Hot spots (redness)

Mange (type of microscopic mites)

Ringworm (fungal infection)

Alopecia (hair loss from the affected area)

Yeast infections

Rashes

read more:

[moonlight-fawn]

Can’t wait to live in a house where I’m not getting constantly yelled at !

[petnews2day]

Were We Always Supposed to Brush Our Dogs’ Teeth?

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/dLd6N

Were We Always Supposed to Brush Our Dogs’ Teeth?

The finger-fitted dog toothbrush, if you aren’t aware, is a plastic tube worn over the human index finger, used to, supposedly easily, brush dogs’ teeth. One variation looks like the genitals of a sea creature. Another looks like the plasticky head of a tiny, bristle-faced scuba diver. I recently spotted one such brush (of the […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/dLd6N #DogNews #PeriodontalDisease, #BadBreath, #BrushDogsTeeth, #Brush8217, #CanineDentalCare, #Day, #DentalEquivalentOfAnEyelashWishStephanieGoldschmidt, #DogGuardians, #DogToothbrushes, #DogToothpaste, #DoggyDentalProductMarket, #DogsTeeth, #DogsTheCompanyJasper, #EaseOfTheFingerBrush, #FamilyDogsTeeth, #FamilyMembers, #FingerFittedDogToothbrush, #FingerFittedFriendsDate, #FirstTime, #FriendSKitchenCounter, #HomeBrushing, #HumanIndexFinger, #HumanPsychology, #HygienicNeedsOfCanineTeeth, #IncreasedFocus, #LaterYearsOfTheDog, #LeastFeels, #LongTime, #MajorShift, #MajorityOfVeterinarySchools, #MikeToofer, #MostCommonDiseases, #NewDailyTask, #NormalToothbrushMyBrushingProcess, #OwnMission, #People, #PeriodicDeepCleanings, #SevereCases, #ShapeOfTheCanineJaw, #SmallBitOfPurchasableComfort, #SpaDay, #StephenRiback, #SuchBrush, #SupposedlyEasyFingerFittedToothbrush, #TartarAccumulation, #Vet, #VeterinaryDentistry, #VeterinaryMedicine, #VeterinaryOralHealthCouncil

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Bites & Stings

References (Dog Bites; Cat; Human; Spider; Bee & Wasp; Snake; Jellyfish)

Bites and stings - puncture injuries inflicted by an animal that penetrate the skin.

DOGS

A typical dog bite results in a laceration, tear, puncture, or crush injury.

Bites from large, powerful dogs may cause fractures and dangerous internal injuries. Dogs trained to attack may bite repeatedly during a single episode.

Infected bites usually cause pain, cellulitis (inflammation of the connective tissues), and a pus-filled discharge at the wound site within 8–24 hours.

Many infections are confined to the wound site, but some of the microorganisms in the mouths of dogs can cause systemic and possibly life-threatening infections.

Rabies is rare among pet dogs in the United States, most of which have been vaccinated against the disease. Tetanus is also rare but can be transmitted by a dog bite if the victim is not immunized.

CATS

The mouths of cats and dogs contain many of the same microorganisms.

Cat scratches and bites are also capable of transmitting the Bartonella henselae bacterium, which can lead to cat-scratch disease, an unpleasant but usually not life-threatening illness.

Cat bites are mostly found on the arms and hands.

Sharp cat teeth typically leave behind a deep puncture wound that can reach muscles, tendons, and bones, which are vulnerable to infection because of their comparatively poor blood supply.

This is why cat bites are much more likely to become infected than dog bites.

Also, people are less inclined to view cat bites as dangerous and requiring immediate attention; the risk that infection has set in by the time a medical professional is consulted is thus greater.

HUMANS

Humans bites result from fights, sexual activity, medical and dental treatment, and seizures. Bites raise the possibility of spousal or child abuse.

Children often bite other children, but those bites are hardly ever severe.

Human bites are capable of transmitting a wide range of dangerous diseases, including hepatitis B, syphilis, and tuberculosis.

Human bites fall into two categories:

Occlusional (true) bites present a lower risk of infection.

Clenched-fist injuries, which are very infectious and can permanently damage the hand, usually result from a fist hitting teeth during a fight.

People often wait before seeking treatment for a clenched-fist injury, with the result that about half of such injuries are infected by the time they are seen by a medical professional.

SPIDERS

As a rule, people rarely see a black widow bite, nor do they feel the bite as it occurs. The first (and possibly only) evidence that a person has been bitten may be a mild swelling of the injured area and two red puncture marks.

Within a short time, some victims begin to experience severe muscle cramps and rigidity of the abdominal muscles. Other possible symptoms include excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and vertigo, as well as breathing, vision, and speech problems.

A brown spider’s bite can lead to necrotic arachnidism, in which the tissue in an area of up to several inches around the bite becomes necrotic (dies), producing an open sore that can take months or years to disappear.

In most cases, the bite simply produces a hard, painful, itchy, and discolored area that heals without treatment in 2–3 days.

The bite may be accompanied by a fever, chills, edema (an accumulation of excess tissue fluid), nausea and vomiting, dizziness, muscle and joint pain, and a rash.

BEES & WASPS

The familiar symptoms of bee and wasp stings include pain, redness, swelling, and itchiness in the area of the sting.

Multiple stings can have much more severe consequences, such as anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs in hypersensitive persons.

SNAKES

Venomous pit viper bites usually begin to swell within 10 minutes and sometimes are painful.

Other symptoms include skin blisters and discoloration, weakness, sweating, nausea, faintness, dizziness, bruising, and tender lymph nodes.

Severe poisoning can lead to tingling in the scalp, fingers, and toes; muscle contractions; an elevated heart rate; rapid breathing; large drops in body temperature and blood pressure; vomiting of blood; and coma.

Many pit viper and coral snake bites (20–60%) fail to poison (envenomate) their victim, or introduce only a small amount of venom into the victim’s body.

The wounds, however, can still become infected by the harmful microorganisms that snakes carry in their mouths.

Coral snake bites are painful but may be hard to see.

One to seven hours after the bite, a bitten person begins to experience the effects of the venom, which include tingling at the wound site, weakness, nausea, vomiting, excessive salivation, and irrational behavior.

Major nerves of the body can become paralyzed for 6–14 days, causing double vision, difficulty swallowing and speaking, respiratory failure, and other problems.

Six to eight weeks may be needed before normal muscular strength is regained.

JELLYFISH

Jellyfish venom is delivered by barbs called nematocysts, which are located on the creature’s tentacles and penetrate the skin of people who brush up against them. Instantly, painful and itchy red lesions usually result.

The pain can continue up to 48 hours.

Severe cases may lead to skin necrosis, muscle spasms and cramps, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, excessive sweating, and other symptoms.

In rare instances, cardiorespiratory failure may occur.

Source ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References More: Writing Realistic Injuries ⚜ On Anatomy ⚜ Poison ⚜ Fight Scenes Part 1 2

[ask-a-vetblr]

My 9 yo dog recently got 3 teeth extracted. I was hoping to control her tartar and plaque by brushing, and I feel like I waited too long and that this could have been avoided. Are there any risks associated with having general anesthesia regularly for dental cleanings? I was under the assumption that it is better to try to control tartar and plaque by brushing daily and that frequent dental cleanings should be avoided unless signs of periodontal disease start to emerge. I understand there are stipulations to this based on whether the dog has heart disease, but what would be the "general" recommendation?

gettingvetted here.

The recommendation from board certified veterinary dentists is that all animals need a dental cleaning with radiographs under anesthesia once a year, and that the teeth need to be brushed daily. If the owner cannot or will not commit to brushing, there is "no point" in doing cleanings at all, similar to if you got your teeth cleaned twice a year and then didn't brush your teeth between cleanings.

However, on a more realistic, general practice point of view, it very much depends on the animal. Daily brushing is definitely the gold standard. Not one of my clients brushes their pets' teeth daily. I will often recommend picking 2-3 products for daily use off of the VOHC product list if the owner won't brush. They usually won't get things from the VOHC list either. Because why would you listen to the professional that you're paying for an opinion. But that is what I recommend. Some animals, like small or brachycephalic dogs, or cats with resorptive tooth lesions or stomatitis, may need cleanings every 6 months and may lose many or all of their teeth even with aggressive care. The average dog or cat would probably need a cleaning a handful of times (3-4x) in their life but due to a lack of at-home care and more frequent cleanings, they will probably need to have a handful of teeth extracted at each cleaning or at least accumulate heavy tarter. Sometimes large dogs can get away with one or two cleanings in their lifetime but they will probably get some fairly heavy tarter between cleanings. This also doesn't account for dentals required for specific pathology, like broken teeth or jaws, checking the mouth, throat, nose, or sinuses for cancer, etc.

General anesthesia is not harmful for an otherwise healthy pet, and the effects of anesthesia are not cumulative. Also, part of the point of a dental cleaning with anesthesia is to perform radiographs which allows the vet to diagnose pathology below the gumline where it is invisible to the owner, as well as performing an ultrasonic scaling under the gums where regular tooth brushes cannot reach. Hence the gold standard recommendation of yearly dentals.

Hope this helps!

[zooophagous]

Christmas gift came early! Bull terrier skull. This individual has some pathology and missing teeth. The dog probably suffered from dental disease or broken teeth. I just need a dolichocephalic dog skull now lol.

[pudgybun]

Okie personal post incoming:

My senior dog that I've had literally since I was like 7 years old, who I reclaimed and took home with me about 3 months ago, went to the vet today for the first time ever (shitty abusive family, shitty abusive pet owners) and we had some pretty bad news ;__; She has some masses on her body so they took cell samples. The growths worried the vet we saw. She also has some advanced dental disease since I'm the first to ever start brushing her teeth. She had to get a senior blood panel done as well since she's ancient and they were worried about her overall health due to how she was previously cared for. In total the bill was like $500 ;__; I'm so fucking irritated at how my "family" (estranged) have treated her and neglected her. She slept in my bed when we were kids and was such a wonderful light in a really awful environment and I feel so guilty for leaving her behind when I finally escaped. I know I was a kid so it's not like I could have provided for her but I still wish that I had come back for her sooner ;__; Anyway rant over, pls keep Daisy in your thoughts if you care ;__; and if you have a pet please be good to them.

[messedupfan]

Please share

https://gofund.me/3fa9e73c

So as some of you may know, I have a dog named Brady who is the absolute love of my life. She has been my child for 11 years now (12 in September). She is currently 13 years old. And unfortunately, she has developed a dental disease which as I understand is a common thing for dogs her size and age. But that means she is going to have to have surgery to remove her teeth and I need help to pay for it. Please if you can donate anything I would be beyond grateful. But I will still be astronomically grateful if you just share it so that others can help!

[phillipfancypants]

On flossing

This post is for people who want to look after their teeth/mouth but can’t bring themselves to change anything due to sensory/adhd/too busy/bad at changing routines.

I’ve never been someone who flossed. I hated when they did it for me at the dentist. My parents didn’t floss when I was growing up and neither did my friends or my sister. Children’s TV told me that only nerds floss.

But now that I’m an adult, when I go to the dentist, they always tell me I have inflamed gums and really I should be worried and I should promise to floss every day from now on etc.

But flossing HURTS. I mean, what is pleasant about slicing open part of your mouth every night for the rest of your life, right? And the dentist says “oh well once you get started, it won’t hurt as much you’ll get used to it” which honestly scares me more—I play guitar and it took ages to build up calluses on my fingers and having those inside my mouth sounds mildly horrifying.

Turns out that none of that is what’s actually going on inside your mouth. And after 15+ years of believing all this, it took ONE dental hygienist to explain why it wasn’t working for me.

Let’s start with gingivitis. You may have heard of it before, maybe been told you have it. Been lectured on how it’s tied to heart disease and low life expectancy and you can prevent it by flossing. But what IS it?

Basically it’s your body trying to protect you. Have you ever heard the statistic that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s? Afaik that’s true, due to a bunch of bacteria we pick up from our varied human diet. And aside from some important gut flora, our immune system does NOT like it when there’s a lot of bacteria around. So what does it do? It sends white blood cells to scope out the threat. The closest battlefront to the action is your gums, so your body sends a bunch if reinforcements to keep the invaders at bay. The only problem is that the bacteria is perfectly happy living in your mouth, and really has very little interest in entering your blood stream. So all these extra white blood cells are gathering at your gums, but none are ever seeing battle and they can never truly eliminate the threat. This causes swelling and inflammation. It’s basically chronic arthritis but in your mouth instead of your joints. And funny enough, when part of your bloodstream is CONSTANTLY fighting a losing battle, that can hurt the rest of your body over time.

Where does flossing come into all of this? Basically the further away you can keep the bacteria from your gums, the better. They want you to floss because it basically scrapes off the bacteria from your teeth right next to your gum line which is the main war zone. If the white blood cells sense that the danger is gone, they leave, and the swelling leaves with them. The “resistance” you build up over time isn’t physical calluses, it’s just that, when all those white blood cells are around, your gums are like a fresh wound. Of course they bleed when you slice them with floss. When they sense the danger is gone, they can leave and that fresh wound can heal to a normal, tougher thickness. No calluses required.

But OP, I still hate flossing and I can never get through the painful first phase.

Lucky for you, there’s a much easier way: mouthwash.

If you’re like me, you probably thought that mouthwash is just for bad breath. So why would you use it if your breath isn’t bad? Well it turns out that they make a bunch of different mouthwashes that specifically target gingivitis bacteria. I use the store brand but name brand works too (just look for “anti-gingivitis” or “antibacterial” on the bottle). I don’t mind the kind with alcohol (it’s cheaper too) but if you get overstimulated by the burning sensation, they make non-alcohol ones too. (Other fun fact my hygienist told me is that the alcohol actually doesn’t do much to kill the bacteria, it’s just there as a solvent to stop the other ingredients from solidifying over time)

After a couple weeks of using mouthwash, I went to floss this morning and for the first time in my life it didn’t hurt. There was still a little bleeding (which I guess will go away with time) but it didn’t hurt! By using mouthwash, I had killed enough bacteria that my mouth could finally heal.

But I guess, the moral of the story is that there is a way to meet the dentist halfway, and you will see improvement. You don’t have to go all or nothing.

If you’re already in the habit of brushing once or twice a day, it only adds 30 seconds to your routine, but to your immune system, it’ll mean the world.

Sorry if this is obvious to some people, or if you’ve heard it before, but I genuinely had no idea how all of this worked until that one hygienist explained it to me. So thank you to him, and I hope this helps someone!

TLDR; use mouthwash even if your breath doesn’t stink

[vi-sigoth]

14,200 years ago, in what is now modern-day Germany, human beings buried a six-month old puppy.

“The Bonn-Oberkassel dog was a late juvenile when it was buried at approximately age 27–28 weeks, with two adult humans and grave goods. Oral cavity lesions indicate a gravely ill dog that likely suffered a morbillivirus (canine distemper) infection. A dental line of suggestive enamel hypoplasia appears at the 19-week developmental stage. Two additional enamel hypoplasia lines, on the canine only, document further disease episodes at weeks 21 and 23. Pathological changes also include severe periodontal disease that may have been facilitated by immunodeficiency.

Since canine distemper has a three-week disease course with very high mortality, the dog must have been perniciously ill during the three disease bouts and between ages 19 and 23 weeks. Survival without intensive human assistance would have been unlikely. Before and during this period, the dog cannot have held any utilitarian use to humans.”

[dead-dove-orchid]

Finally have an updated official comm sheet!! Prices dropped a bit from the sheet I made almost 2 years ago, but I’m a lot more confident in my digital art now. My senior dog Winnie is having a dental surgery next month, so every comm helps! Pics of her under the cut cuz I love her so much, + more info abt it.

She was so unbelievably pissed off at the vet yesterday. Today we’re gonna find out the results of her tests, and see if she has Cushing’s Disease or not.. </3

[puppyexpressions]

Why Do Dogs Drool? The Pawsome Truth Behind Those Slobbery Kisses

Hey there, fellow dog lovers! 🐾 Ever wondered why your furry friend leaves a trail of drool everywhere they go? Well, you’re in for a treat! Let’s dive into the fascinating world of dog drool and uncover the reasons behind those slobbery kisses.

The Science of Drool

First things first, drooling is a natural and normal behavior for dogs. Just like humans, dogs produce saliva to help with digestion. However, some breeds are more prone to drooling than others. Breeds like Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, and Bloodhounds are known for their excessive drooling due to their loose lips and large jowls.

Reasons Why Dogs Drool

Anticipation of Food: Just like Pavlov’s dogs, your pup might start drooling at the mere sight or smell of food. It’s their body’s way of preparing for a delicious meal.

Heat and Exercise: Dogs don’t sweat like humans do. Instead, they pant to cool down, which can lead to increased saliva production and drooling.

Excitement and Anxiety: Whether it’s a car ride, a visit to the vet, or meeting new people, excitement or anxiety can trigger drooling in dogs.

Dental Issues: Problems like gum disease, tooth decay, or oral infections can cause excessive drooling. Regular dental check-ups are essential to keep your pup’s mouth healthy.

Health Conditions: Certain health issues, such as nausea, poisoning, or neurological disorders, can lead to excessive drooling. If you notice sudden or unusual drooling, it’s best to consult your vet.

Fun Facts About Dog Drool

Did you know that a dog’s saliva contains enzymes that help break down food? It’s like having a built-in dishwasher!

Some dogs drool more when they’re happy or excited. So, those slobbery kisses might just be a sign of love!

In ancient times, dog saliva was believed to have healing properties. While we don’t recommend using it as a cure-all, it’s interesting to see how much our furry friends have been valued throughout history.

How to Manage Dog Drool

If your dog’s drooling is getting out of hand, here are a few tips to keep things under control:

Keep a Towel Handy: Having a towel nearby can help you quickly wipe away excess drool.

Regular Grooming: Keeping your dog’s mouth and fur clean can reduce the amount of drool they produce.

Hydration: Ensure your dog has access to fresh water at all times. Hydration can help regulate saliva production.

So, there you have it! The next time your dog gives you a slobbery kiss, you’ll know exactly why. Embrace the drool and cherish those wet, loving moments with your furry friend. 🐾

[declaweddisabledpurebred]

This is a blog to highlight cats available for adoption that are declawed, disabled, geriatric or purebred. These are the only requirements for a cat to be featured here.

As stated in the blog description I am not affiliated with any of the organizations whose adoptable cats are featured here. The information presented in the posts is publicly available, I am only drawing attention to it.

I encourage you to always do your research before you adopt or purchase a pet. Just as there are bad breeders there are bad rescues and shelters.

Post will follow the following format.

Cat Name [Original Post]

Age | Sex | Breed*

Other Information

Location [Rescue]**

Date of Post

* Breed will be listed based on apparent breed and not listed breed, as rescue and shelters often mislabel cats under the assumption that their breeds function similarly to dogs. Unless I have reason to believe it is a genuine breed or breed mix I will label them as Domestic Shorthair or Domestic Longhair.

I may occasionally share retired breeding cats.

** The majority of adoptable cats will be from Canada and the United States as these are the countries where Petfinder is available.

I will consider cats to be seniors and eligible for sharing here when estimated at 10+ years.

Here is an incomplete list of qualifying disabilities: Allergies, Amputation, Blindness, Cerebellar Hypoplasia, Chronic Kidney Disease, Enucleation, Deafness, Diabetes, FeLV/FIV+, Hyperthyroidism, Manx Syndrome, Neoplasia, Scottish Fold Osteochondrodysplasia, Seizure Disorder.

I consider declawed cats to be disabled due to having multiple amputations which often result in chronic pain, inappropriate elimination and increased quickness to bite.

You are welcome to submit cats you would like to see featured, but please include a link to their original adoption listing.

You are welcome to make requests to see more cats from a particular area, of a specific breed or color, with a particular health condition, and so forth. I cannot guarantee these requests will be met.

Due to the time sensitive nature of these posts this blog will rarely use a queue and will instead posts in spurts.

You may make requests to see more of a particular breed, location, or health condition. These will be answered in the body of the ask instead of as seperate posts in order to avoid clutter.

Tags List Below Cut

Age

Adult (2 - 9 years)

Kitten (2 - 6 months)

Senior (10+ years)

Young (7 months - 2 years)

Cat Breeds

American Curl

Bengal

Burmese

Cornish Rex

Devon Rex

Domestic Longhair

Domestic Shorthair

Himalayan

Lykoi

Persian

Scottish Fold

Siamese

Sphynx

Toyger

Colors and Patterns

Note: This are based on colloquial descriptors and not genetically accurate. Check out @felinefractious for coat color and pattern information.

Black

Black and White

Blue Cream

Blue Point

Brown Tabby

Calico

Cream and White

Cream Point

Dilute Calico

Flame Point

Gray

Gray Tabby

Lilac

Lynx Point

Orange

Orange and White

Orange Tabby

Seal Point

Silver

Silver Tabby

Tabby

Tabby and White

Tortie

Tortie and White

Tortie Point

Tortie Tabby

Health and Disability

Arthritis

Autoimmune Disease

Behavioral Issues

Blind

Breed Specific

Cataracts

Cerebellar Hypoplasia

Chronic Pain

Chronic Pancreatitis

Cleft Palate

Deaf

Declawed

Dental Disease

Diabetes

Epiphora

Enucleation

Fecal Incontinence

FeLV+

FIP

FIV+

Four Paw Declawed

Front Declawed

Gastrointestinal

High Blood Pressure

Hyperthyroidism

Hypokalemia

Inappropriate Elimination

Incontinence

Juvenile Cataracts

Kidney Disease

Microphthalmia

Neoplasia

Osteochondrodysplasia

Overweight

Scarring

Seizure Disorder

Skin Issues

Tail Pull Injury

Upper Respiratory

Urinary Disease

Vision Impaired

Household

Cats Preferred

No Cats

No Children

No Dogs

Miscellaneous

Adopted

Bonded Pair

Grooming

Hospice

On Medication

Purebred

Special Diet

Unlisted

[moonlight26posts-blog]

In Baltimore City, MD: 10 y/o stray who loves to sniff, adventure, and has the cutest floppy ears - BARCS, Baltimore MD

If you can help save Wreath's life and offer him a loving foster home, please email foster@charlietotherescue.org

Wreath- 10 y/o, unaltered male, 73lbs

Handsome 'Wreath' was brought to the shelter after being found as a stray, wandering the busy city streets all alone. So far in our care, he has been a friendly boy, slow and easy on the leash, and enjoys sniffing around and eating treats. Though sweet, he is also very independent and prefers spending his walks investigating his surroundings. He also seems housebroken.

When tested off-leash in our shelter's play yard, Wreath was gentle and polite with other lowkey and respectful dog pals.

Upon examination, our vets noted that Wreath has grade 2/4 periodontal disease, severe generalized wear and staining of his teeth with pulp exposure, multi-joint arthritis, and several small skin tags. He was started on fatty acids and joint supplements ongoing, and senior bloodwork and a dental cleaning with extractions are recommended. A full medical summary can be provided upon request.

No senior should spend their days in a shelter, and sweet Wreath here is of course no exception. He is currently on stray hold and will be available for rescue pick-up at 6pm on 11/26.

Please let us know if your organization can help!

Thank you,

The BARCS Rescue Team

Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) ​New Address! 2490 Giles Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225 rescue@barcs.org| (410) 396-4695

Rescue pick-up hours: Monday-Friday: 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m

Adoption hours: Monday-Friday: 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS) | 2490 Giles Rd | Baltimore, MD 21225 US

[ask-a-vetblr]

Thank you so much for the detailed dentistry response. I am hoping to clarify my understanding as to why there is "no point" to annual dental cleanings if you don't brush daily. Does this mean that dental cleanings alone cannot prevent periodontal disease without daily brushing? There is only 1 toothpaste on the VOHC product list. Is there a benefit to brushing even without toothpaste, or is toothpaste necessary for the benefit? Feeling even more guilty that I only brushed intermittently, but we still have time to turn it around for my other 3yo dog.

GV here.

That is correct. Periodontal disease accumulates between cleanings. A professional cleaning, +/- extractions, eliminates the tarter that causes periodontal disease and removes teeth that have severe enough disease that they are causing bone problems. But tarter begins to accumulate 24 hours after that cleaning.

It would be like you going to the dentist for a cleaning and to have crowns put on but then not brushing your teeth again for years at a time.

There are two types of dental cleaning action - mechanical, and chemical. The mechanical aspect is brought by dental treats, food, or brushing. The chemical aspect is brought by water additives, toothpastes, etc. The best prevention of periodontal disease comes from daily use of both types on all surfaces of the teeth.

Nobody is saying that this is easy to achieve. There are plenty of people out there, some of us included, that struggle to brush our own teeth daily. But that is the gold standard for periodontal disease prevention in both humans and animals.

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Fall Into A Love Spiral

You're gonna fall head over heels for Spiral! Spiral is a gorgeous 4 year old Australian racer who just wants a comfy dog bed to partially lie in, another dog to play with, and most of all, a person to love with all her heart. Within minutes of Spiral’s arrival in her foster home she attached herself to her foster mom's side and would not leave her. She is a professional cuddler, and has immaculate house manners. She learned the dog door within about an hour, and can be found sunning on a back yard dog bed or inside on a couch in the classic roach position. She lets her obnoxious 30 lb puppy house-mate crawl all over her, stick its head in her mouth and play with her legs. She has never met a stranger, and just wants pets, cuddles and love. Spiral has never asked to jump up into a bed, but she sure does enjoy stretching out on a couch, either with or without another dog. See more photos of her here.

Spiral will need immaculate dental care for the rest of her life because she has Chronic Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis (CUPS), which is a noninfectious autoimmune disease that makes her sensitive to her own oral bacteria. Its usually a painful gum disorder but Spiral has no problem eating her meals and any treats she is given! Bad breath is a common symptom of CUPS, but Spiral does not have bad breath! She will need to be on prescription medications for CUPS, which she takes twice daily in a spoonful of wet food mixed in with her dry chow. She also gets a dental rinse added to her water bowl daily and will need her teeth brushed every couple of days. She doesn’t mind the brushing, to her its all part of being loved! 

If you want a very affectionate, tolerant, goofy girl to love, and don’t mind keeping her CUPS well-controlled, this girl will change your life! She is fine with smaller dogs but we do not yet know how she will do with cats. If she sounds like your gal, please let your adoption coordinator know or complete an on-line application here.

8/1/24