The Link Early Spring 2020 The Link Feb-Mar 2020 v1 | Page 15

Vet Talk
with Martin Leith BVetMed MRCVS
How healthy are your pet’s
teeth and gums?
Did you know that tooth and
gum problems in dogs and cats
are very common, with around
85% of pets over the age of
three years suffering from some
degree of dental disease,
causing ill health and pain.
Over time the accumulation of
plaque bacteria on the surface of
the teeth, leads to inflammation
of the gums – this is known as
gingivitis (or gum disease). This
is often accompanied by bad
breath and also the accumulation
of tartar on the surface of the
tooth.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it
will in time, begin to attack the
gum line and the underlying
support structures of the teeth,
leading to infections and gum
loss, eventually leading to tooth
mobility and finally tooth loss.
Regular dental check-ups are a
key part of monitoring for dental
disease, a combination of a
Scale and Polish (under general
anaesthesia) and ongoing home
care can make a real difference
to your pet’s oral health.
There are a number of home
care options available. Tooth
brushing is the gold standard,
but we understand that this is
not always possible, so there
are a number of dental diets
and chews available. When
brushing your pet’s teeth, it is
The Link
Weight Management
& Dental Care
very important that you do not
use human toothpaste – this is
because some of the ingredients
in the toothpaste are harmful
to pets.
Are you struggling with your
pet’s weight?
Weight gain in our pets is a huge
problem; it is thought that up
to 1 in 3 household pets are
overweight. Not only does this
shorten their life expectancy by
2 years but it also increases the
risk of heart disease, diabetes,
arthritis and in some species
prevention of self-grooming
can occur. Small furries such as
rabbits and guinea-pigs are at
higher risk of fly strike occurring
especially in the warmer weather,
due to problems with grooming.
In conjunction with checking
your pet’s weight, we also
recommend assessing their
body condition score, which we
can help you with.
We can provide you with help
and support throughout your
pet’s journey, by providing free-
of-charge weight clinics. Our
experienced nurses offer hints
and tips on ways to help your
pets shift the pounds.
Exercise is a great way to help
your pet with weight loss. This
can be in the form of on lead/
off lead walks, a run or zooming
around the house chasing toys.
There are options to help keep
your pet stimulated and prevent
fast eating: toys like kongs,
treat balls, green feeders and
cat feeding trees offer a way to
encourage your pet to work for
their food.
If you are concerned about
your pet’s weight or teeth,
please contact your local
veterinary practice for help
and advice.
24 hour Emergency Cover 01531 632276
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