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Dogs + Dental & Oral Health

  • Middle aged dogs often suffer severe dental problems which frequently cause them considerable pain and discomfort.

  • Colostrum is the antibody-rich milk produced from the mother's mammary glands during the first few days of life. It contains a thousands of antibodies (immunoglobulins), lactoferrin, growth hormone, growth factors, white blood cells, enzymes, vitamins and substances that regulate the body's immune response.

  • The most common dental problem with dogs is not decay (caries) as with us but periodontal disease. It occurs in over 85% of dogs over the age of three.

  • An epulis is a benign oral tumour that affects the gum. It arises from the periodontal ligament which lines the tooth cavity and surrounds the tooth.

  • Other names include Acral lick dermatitis, and Acropruritic nodule etc. The problem starts with an area of hair loss and reddened skin due to licking.

  • Metronidazole is a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent. It is used to treat infections such as gingivitis, wound infections, and giardiasis.

  • Oral hygiene preparations include dentifrice, toothpaste and dental paste or solution. Most contain an inorganic abrasive and chlorhexidine. These products are used to prevent dental plaque and gum disease.

  • An epulis (plural epuli) is the clinical name for a swelling on the gums. Several different tumours share this name, often of different origins including the tooth-socket lining and lining epithelium of the mouth.

  • Oral fibrosarcomas are rapidly growing, malignant tumours originating from the fibrous connective tissue of the mouth. The tumours are rarely cured by surgical removal.

  • Oral melanoma (malignant melanoma or melanosarcoma) is a tumour of melanin pigment producing cells (melanocytes). The cancers are rapidly growing and unfortunately are rarely completely cured by surgical removal.