lick spotlight - pet care Senior Dogs Grrr…ateful
Affectionate Dozer, an 8-years young, still full-of-life Puggle, was surrendered with his sister Zoey to the Norfolk SPCA. Time passed, and the duo waited and waited to be adopted. Sadly, Dozer appeared to have never received dental care in his 96+ months on the planet, and his teeth were in bad shape. Worried that potential medical bills might be scaring off prospective adopters, Norfolk SPCA put to use their grant from The Grey Muzzle Organization. Now Dozer has a smile that can brighten anyone’s day, a forever home and the chance to live an even longer, healthier life!
Animals in the wild eat a natural diet of uncooked meat and vegetation. Much of the food we feed our pets is canned mush or dry kibble, which turns to sugar and creates an environment that bacteria thrive in. Bacteria and saliva create plaque, which hardens on the teeth and turns to tartar. Redness or inflammation (gingivitis) soon appears at the gum line followed by pockets of infection that separate the teeth from the gum (periodontitis) and send bacteria into the bloodstream. Poor Bella! At the age of 10, she had been adopted at least 3 times and sadly, none of her prior families took the time to keep her teeth clean. Fortunately for this gorgeous Lab-weiler, Pets Alive, New York, received a grant from Grey Muzzle as part of their “Senior Canine Tooth Fairy Program,” and Bella became the recipient of dental treatment! She is all smiles now however it will be important for her new family to keep her pearly whites clean as dental care is a life-long process. YOU can help your dog of any age live a longer, healthier life by brushing his teeth at least every other day. Make it a bonding experience for you and your canine pal. Find a comfortable spot, don’t hold him too tightly, and do it when you are in a patient mood. The first few times, dip your index finger in salt-free chicken broth and rub your dog’s gums to get him used to your fingers in his mouth, but don’t let him nibble your digits! After a few days of finger massaging, use a toothbrush and paste specifically for your pet. A child’s brush is too rough for tender canine gums and human toothpaste contains detergent, so use pet specific tools. Wrapping gauze around your index finger is preferred by some.
If your heart has been touched by an old dog, you know how much they have to teach us about loyalty, compassion and eternal love. The old dogs that share our hearts and homes are part of our family. Sadly, though, older dogs slow down, develop medical issues, and many find themselves alone, afraid and at-risk in shelters across the country. The Grey Muzzle Organization creates happy endings to these heartbreaking stories by providing grants to the tune of nearly $2 million along with other resources to almost 200 animal welfare organizations nationwide. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 98% of dogs with bad breath suffer from gum disease, and 80% of our canine friends develop it before they are three-years-old. Dental problems are painful and can become costly to treat, but left untreated…they can shorten your dog’s life! Canine Dental Disease and poor dental health is linked to adverse effects on the heart, liver, and kidneys, so it’s imperative to address any symptoms in elderly dogs as soon as they occur.
Photos by Denise Fleck.
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