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Please
note: Media Relations is unable to answer questions about pet health
problems. Contact your veterinarian.
Source:
Dr. Matt Riegel, 785-532-5690, mriegel@vet.k-state.edu
Pronouncer: Riegel is (REE'-gul)
News release prepared by: Amber Haag, 785-532-6415
Tuesday,
February 15, 2005
PETS
HAVE PLAQUE ON THEIR TEETH, TOO
MANHATTAN
-- The next time you're at the store picking up a new toothbrush to
keep your pearly whites, well, white, you might want to pick up a toothbrush
and special pet toothpaste for your cat or dog.
Dr.
Matt Riegel, assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State
University's College of Veterinary Medicine, said pets should receive
the same dental care as people.
He
said less than 5 percent of pet owners clean their cat or dog's teeth
at home and less than 10 percent bring their pets in for professional
dental care.
"We're
in a new era of veterinary medicine," Riegel said. "People
put more emphasis on their pets as true companions and members of the
family. Dental care fits in with giving your pet the best possible life."
Owners
should not leave their pet's mouths in any worse condition than they
would leave their own, Riegel said.
And
it's not just older pets owners should worry about. Riegel said about
80 percent of cats and dogs over two years of age have some level of
periodontal disease.
Periodontal
disease is a combination of disease processes, including plaque and
gingivitis, as well as the loosening of teeth.
Riegel
said disease in your pet's mouth amounts to more than bad breath and
ugly teeth. He said periodontal disease has been proven to lead to heart,
kidney and liver problems.
"Prevention
is the key," Riegel said. "If we can prevent periodontal disease
from progression, everyone's job is easier."
Riegel
said the key to prevention is brushing your cat or dog's teeth daily.
He said the size of the toothbrush will depend on the animal, but owners
should be sure to use toothpaste made for animals. The toothpaste made
for people contains fluoride and is intended to be spit out. Pets don't
spit, so will try to swallow the toothpaste.
"You've
got to work them into having their teeth brushed, and I suggest you
start early," Riegel said. "It will take about four to six
months before they're comfortable with it. After that, brushing should
only take a few minutes each day."
Riegel
also said owners should take their pet to the veterinarian approximately
once a year for professional dental cleaning.
"Think
of treating dental disease in your pet like changing the oil in your
car," Riegel said. "You can put your money toward changing
the oil in your car every 3,000 miles or wait for your car engine to
burst and spend much more rebuilding it."
Recently,
Pfizer gave K-State a gift to expand the Veterinary Medical Teaching
Hospital's dental suite. Construction on the suite will begin this year.
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