Just as we have regular check ups at the dentist, it’s really important that pets’ teeth and gums are checked routinely to ensure our four legged companions are enjoying good periodontal health. We check pet oral health at annual vaccination appointments and at various other pet visits to the vets. However, as an owner, it’s worth knowing issues to look for that may require more of an impromptu trip to the vets!
Common signs that your pet may be suffering dental or mouth pain include rejecting dog biscuits or treats, chewing on only one side of the mouth, taking more time over food, increased drooling, pawing at the mouth and even a reluctance to play or increased grumpiness. You may notice your pet’s breath smells less than fresh, or if you can safely lift up their lip to inspect the gums, that they look red and angry or may even be bleeding. Teeth may exhibit discolouration. When plaque – a clear sticky film on the tooth that hangs on to bacteria – collects, this leads to gum disease and tooth decay. When left, plaque deposits calcify, becoming hard tartar as shown in the accompanying photo. This needs professional removal.
As we know, gum disease and tooth decay can be incredibly painful, so please do visit a vet if you’re concerned about your pet’s oral health in any way for the wellbeing of your pet. For dogs, we offer a scale and polishing service run by our qualified RVNs and use an ultrasonic scaler to clean teeth. We’ll also probe beneath the gum line whilst your dog is under anaesthesia to check for any hidden pockets that may harbour bacteria and cause subsequent problems. For any teeth that cause concern, we’ll x-ray as part of the service and advise on any further treatment as necessary.
It may, however, be that your pet needs veterinary dental care. We’re proud that our vet Selenia has a Postgraduate Qualification in Small Animal Dentistry and is brilliantly placed to carry out more complex dental procedures in practice.
As a preventative measure, regular tooth brushing using a pet friendly toothpaste will help reduce pet dental disease. Please ask us for advice on how best to encourage your pet to tolerate this. Check out the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s website for other strategies to help reduce periodontal disease in pets.
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With today being the 80th anniversary of VE Day in Europe, many of us will be commemorating the date in some way, with VE Day events planned locally, nationally and internationally.
It’s a particularly significant day to champion the important role that dogs and cats played in World War II in serving and protecting their nation. Whilst cats were often used for pest control, dogs were employed as guards of posts and supplies, to act as messengers, to transport medications to injured soldiers and to undertake search and rescue activity. Some dogs were even trained to jump out of planes alongside their platoon! All animals played an important role in boosting general morale.
As part of their schools education programme, the Dogs Trust tells the remarkable story of Sarge the dog and his role in WWII. Determined to find care for him after their house was badly damaged in a bomb blast in 1941, Sarge’s family offered their dog to the Civil Defence Service as a way of ensuring he would be looked after. The Civil Defence Service pledged to return dogs to their owners after the war.
Sarge went from domestic pet to search and rescue hero in the Blitz. When he alerted his handler to an unexploded bomb, Sarge then went on to international acclaim, being sent to France to clear the area for the D-day landings in 1944 and remaining abroad, saved countless human and doggy colleagues overseas with his keen instinct and heroics. When he eventually returned to Britain, Sarge was reunited with his family who couldn’t believe the activity their family pet had undertaken. A true doggy hero. Click here to read about Sarge’s story in more detail.
Pets continue to play a hugely significant role in our lives today as companions who have the ability to make life feel better all round. Many have more formal roles in supporting the wider community.
Do give a special hug to your pet today to thank them for their companionship, and also in remembrance of the valiant efforts of their ancestors in helping to shape the lives we lead today.
Photo of dog sniffing out Blitz survivors: Imperial War Museum
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Bonnie’s owner brought her in to see us as she had noticed a change in the five year old’s behaviour. The cockerpoo had stopped greeting people, was snapping at other dogs on her dog walks and had started weeing and pooing in the house. She also seemed unnaturally anxious and her owner wondered whether she might be in pain.
We gave Bonnie a thorough examination. She seemed healthy body-wise but when we looked in her mouth, we could see that Bonnie had clear signs of periodontal disease (gum inflammation and receding gums). She also had a fractured canine tooth. Dental X-rays confirmed that Bonnie had attachment bone loss around several of her teeth. The dark areas in the accompanying x-ray photos indicate bone loss and problem areas underneath the gum line in stark contrast to the healthy teeth alongside where the gums and bone fully cushion the tooth and root.
Our vet Selenia, who holds a postgraduate certificate in small animal dentistry, operated on Bonnie and ended up removing the six compromised teeth. She also fixed Bonnie’s fractured canine using restorative methods, shaping and then sealing the tooth to prevent further issue down the line.
We are delighted that 2 weeks post op, Bonnie has stopped toileting indoors, is eating and drinking normally and is much more herself. It turns out that Bonnie’s poorly teeth were literally the root of her problem. We are glad you are feeling better beautiful girl!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
This is our new RVN Rachael during her cat clinic nursing consults this morning giving beautiful Ghost a cuddle. Rachael joined us at the beginning of March (with the expansion of our premises, we’ve been expanding our team too!) and takes our qualified nursing team to a new total of 12. Rachael started her nursing journey in 2012, and on qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2017, moved to the Midlands where she has been working in small animal first opinion practice since. In addition to her nursing duties and being sole charge nurse at branch surgery level, Rachael helped inspire vet team members of the future in previous posts, as a student nurse clinical coach and work experience coordinator. Whilst she enjoys all elements of her role, she has a particular passion for feline nursing, recently completing an ISFM Certificate in Feline Nursing with distinction and helping her previous practice become a silver-accredited Cat Friendly Clinic. We’re delighted to welcome Rachael to the team and know she will love meeting you, your feline friends and canine pals too!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
We were delighted to welcome Amy Starr to the 387 and West Midlands Cat Clinic team this February. Graduating in 2021, Amy has worked in a variety of fast-paced vet clinic environments, managing per-operative care as well as carrying out theatre nurse duties and running nurse clinics. With a passion for animal welfare, Amy has worked for the PDSA since 2022, relishing the challenge of innovation and flexibility required to problem solve. Amy is particularly interested in canine behaviour, is holder of various dog training qualifications and, in addition to her day job, ran a dog training business around work. With our Dog Friendly Clinic accreditation, we know Amy will be a great asset to the team and we look forward to her joining our RVN Rachael in running dog behaviour first aid clinics at 387 Vets.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
