February Is Pet Dental Health Awareness Month – A Message From My Vet!

Dr. Shannon from Valley View Vet offers this advice on your pet's dental health -

February is Pet Dental Health Awareness Month.  We all joke about "doggy breath" but unfortunately, bad breath in pets is not normal and can signal disease. Usually, bad breath originates from bacteria and food debris caught under the gums lying against the teeth.  Brushing removes this buildup.  For pets who cannot brush their own teeth (ahem, a little help here please?) this buildup continues to accumulate and cause an offensive odor. This buildup of food and bacteria becomes a film over the teeth called plaque. This will eventually harden into tartar that will, over time, cause the gums to become inflamed and bleed which causes more odor.  What a vicious cycle!  Best way to intervene?  You guessed it, talk to you veterinarian about strategies to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy and odor-free.