Gundogs and Dental Care ?

Dental care for gun dogs:

What is a vet looking for in any dog, healthy or sick, when opening its mouth?

The oral cavity can provide valuable information not only about disease within the mouth area, but it also reflects disease processes occurring in other organ systems.

Examples?

Obviously dental disease is something vets look for, but problems such as kidney or liver failure may also be detected early by changes that are occurring in the mouth. Abnormalities may be as subtle as slight color change of the gums, foul breath or sores.

It's important for gun dog owners to study their own animal, as knowing what's normal is critical for early identification of possible problems.

Vets recommended being familiar with your gundog's gum color in addition to the importance of knowing heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature at different levels of activity, again in hope that by being better informed, we're able to recognise problems or make the right decision should an emergency occur.

The sooner problems are recognised and brought to the attention of your veterinarian, the greater the chance of successful treatment.

What's normal gum color?

In most breeds, the gums will be bubblegum or coral pink with glistening white teeth. Some darker-colored breeds, however, may have pigmentation along the lips and gums. Brittany owners may recognize an almost orange color to the gums of some like-colored dogs. If you have a young dog, take note so you're able to know what's normal for him.

How serious a problem is it for our gun dogs?

Periodontal disease is an extension of gingivitis, an inflammation or receding of the gums that allows infection to loosen the supporting structures of the teeth.

Like people, tartar and plaque are the usual culprits that start the process. While dry food does scrape away some plaque--helping to lower the incidence slightly--and chew bones or treats also can help, there's no substitute for brushing your dog's teeth!

If brushing is introduced as part of early socialization and training, it's accepted with little hassle.

With older dogs it's more of a problem; yet most well-trained gun dogs soon accept the brushing without too much fuss.

If you have an older dog, start with a trip to your veterinarian, ask him to clean the dog's teeth and show you the best way to brush, and discuss different options of products to use. The frequency will depend on your commitment.

Dental decay can cause a root abscess or possibly develop heart disease brought on by infection from gum disease entering the bloodstream, which can result invalvular endocarditis, inflammation of the membrane of the heart.

Now let's get back to our discussion of gum color. Most of us know to watch gum color as an early sign of heat stress during warm early-season hunting, as the tongue and gums become darker as the body tries to cool through greater blood flow in those areas.

Other examples of problems are the lighter oral most white-colored gums of anemic puppies who might be suffering from severe flea or hookworm infestation. In adult dogs, you may see jaundice or a yellowing of the gums as a result of liver disease.

I would emphasize the importance of distinguishing normal from abnormal and be less concerned in knowing which system is responsible, but if you notice anything abnormal, bring it to your veterinarian's attention.

Tumors can be found inside a dog's mouth?

Although the risk for most tumors increases with age, most veterinarians will advise a biopsy of any mass in the mouth regardless of age.

If you are unable to see the growth, the signs are similar to other diseases of the mouth. Most frequently, those signs would be a loss of appetite, bad breath, pawing at the mouth, excessive or bloody salivation, or difficulty in swallowing.

Cancer is a diagnosis none of us want to hear, yet the advantage of early treatment is obvious and again reinforces your message of the importance in knowing what's normal for your dog, so if something unusual shows up, it will be recognized and brought to the attention of a veterinarian.