SAM’S CORNER
Taking a Bite Out of Dental Pain
Ah, the humble yawn. As a dog, I can tell you that this simple act is so much more than just a sign of tiredness. There’s a whole world of meaning and emotion hidden behind those big open mouths. Let me take you back to when I was just a pup. During my first few trips to the vet, I remember yawning up a storm in the exam room. At the time, my human thought I was just sleepy. But as he learned more, he realized my yawning wasn’t just about being tired; it was also a sign that I was feeling stressed or anxious. You see, yawning isn’t solely about oxygen flow to the brain, as some may think. It’s actually a way for us dogs to self-soothe and manage our emotions. When we find ourselves in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation, that big ol’ yawn helps calm us down and regain our composure. And it’s not just at the vet where we let out those telltale yawns. Dog training classes are another prime example. Even if we’re not necessarily tired, the pressure to perform and please our owners can make us feel on edge. A good yawn helps us refocus and reset. THE TRUTH ABOUT MY YAWNS
COCO’S BEHAVIOR IMPROVED AFTER EXAM
Meet Coco, an approximately 8-year-old Chihuahua who was adopted by her new family on May 18, 2024. Her adoption exam revealed significant tartar, and she even tried to bite when we looked in her mouth. We were not able to do an extensive oral exam, but we knew she had significant dental disease and recommended a dental cleaning. Her new family scheduled her for a dental procedure that took place on June 11. Our pets have to be anesthetized for dental cleanings, but they get the same things we do at our human dentist during a dental cleaning — tooth exam, tooth counting, checking for gingival pockets, polish and fluoride, and radiographs of every tooth. These radiographs help us determine the health of the entire tooth and help us assess areas that seem to have missing teeth. Dogs have 42 adult teeth, and during Coco’s dental exam she had 19 teeth already missing. She had significant periodontal disease and many infected teeth such that she needed 9 extractions. Three days later, at the follow-up call, her owners reported that she was so much better after her dental exam and they noticed a major change in her behavior. She was more playful, more friendly, and even wanted to play with the other dogs’ toys. Some of this behavior change could have been her getting acclimated to the new home, but it was so drastic after her exam that it is very likely that Coco was in a significant amount of mouth pain due to her dental disease. If you have ever had mouth or tooth pain you know how debilitating it can be, and chronic pain can make you crabby over time — this can happen for dogs and cats, too. Once the mouth pain is addressed, their appetite and attitude can change dramatically for the better. Dogs and cats are very good at hiding their pain, and often, you do not know how pain is affecting them until you take it away and see the change. If you notice abnormalities in your pet’s mouth let us know; we can help guide you on dental health and get you scheduled for a cleaning if needed. Coco certainly would thank her family if she could because she’s feeling like a new dog!
Coco Bierbaum Dental L Pre
Coco Bierbaum Dental L Post
Turkey Triangles for Cats Inspired by BeChewy.com
Coco Bierbaum Dental R Pre
Coco Bierbaum Dental R Post
Contact us! 319-743-0554
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