SAM’S CORN Snouts, Sparks, and Safety Sm
EXTREME MAKEOVER:
Dental Edition
Greetings, canine campadres and human cohorts! I’m here this month with a hot topic that every pet guardian should know about.
In honor of National Pet Fire Safety Day on July 15, I want to inform you of common fire hazards that could seriously harm you, your pets, and your property. According to the National Fire Protection Association, pets have a part in starting about 750 home fires every year in the U.S. First off, I’ll state for the record on behalf
LUCY GETS A LOVELY SMILE We saw Lucy, a sweet 7-year-old pitbull mix, for a routine wellness exam and diagnosed her with a dental condition called gingival hyperplasia.
of all dogs and cats that we do not want to burn down your house — we’re just explorers prone to encountering things that lead us to start fires inadvertently. (After all, most of us have tails that wag and teeth that like to chew things, so … it happens.) These items include cooking equipment, fireplaces, chimneys, space heaters, lamps, cords, wiring, and candles. So, how can you help us keep our shared homes safe? Well, the big one is never to leave us alone near an open flame. Use flameless candles wherever possible. If you have an especially active pet who likes to get up on counters with their front feet, be sure to remove stove knobs when you’re not in the kitchen. If you have to go out, crate your curious kittens and puppies. Because many of us
Gingival hyperplasia is an abnormal or excessive growth of gum tissue in the mouth. Most animals respond to dental disease with receding gums, but dogs with gingival hyperplasia respond to inflammation and tartar on the teeth by making more gum tissue. The gums become thickened, firm, and irregular, sometimes covering most or all of the teeth. When this happens, dogs have difficulty chewing, their gums bleed, and the teeth that are covered can develop pockets and disease. Certain breeds, including boxers, bulldogs, and cocker spaniels, are predisposed to developing gingival hyperplasia. Certain drugs can also trigger its development. To treat Lucy’s condition, we performed a gingivectomy. This procedure was done under anesthesia during a dental cleaning. The extra gum tissue was surgically removed from around the teeth, restoring Lucy’s natural gumline and eliminating the pockets around her teeth that were trapping food and debris. After we removed the excess gum tissue, her teeth were thoroughly cleaned, scaled, and polished. Gingivectomy surgery is not curative, but it significantly improves the appearance of the mouth and alleviates any inflammation and discomfort. After two weeks of healing, Lucy’s mouth appeared brand new, and her owners loved her fresh breath and sparkling smile! Daily home dental care — such as brushing teeth, using water additives, and offering dental chews — can help slow the recurrence of plaque and bacteria in the mouth and the development or recurrence of conditions like gingival hyperplasia.
Please contact us at Petersen Pet Hospital with any questions or concerns about your pet’s dental health!
—Dr. Lindsey Leo
2 Contact us! 319-743-0554
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