What even is periodontal disease? Periodontal disease is gum disease. Gum disease is present in animals as well as humans. It can be mild to severe and can cause many problems affecting your pet’s health. It is very rare for an owner to notice periodontal disease signs since there are often no symptoms until the periodontal disease is very advanced. Sometimes bad breath can be an early indicator of oral health.
Once periodontal disease is in its advanced stages, your pet will have been living with chronic pain for some time. Because it advances slowly over time, your pets won’t immediately show signs of distress. Some symptoms you may see with advanced periodontal disease are problems picking up food, bleeding gums, swelling of the face, blood in the water bowl or on chew toys, loss of teeth, not wanting their mouths touched, chewing on only one side, and/or not eating at all. Sneezing or nasal discharge can also be a symptom of very advanced periodontal disease due to the destruction of the bone between the nasal and oral cavity.
What if my pet gets periodontal disease? Periodontal disease treatments in your pets really depend on the severity of the disease. The first step of periodontal disease treatment is examination and radiographs. The next steps of treatment are routine dental cleanings—sometimes more than once per year, antibiotics, and at-home dental care like teeth brushing. Severe cases may require periodontal surgery to remove the unhealthy gum or tooth and/or special therapies that aid in growing new tissues and bone. The best treatment for periodontal disease is prevention.
You may be asking yourself if I won’t see the symptoms, how can I prevent periodontal disease from occurring in my pets? The best way to prevent periodontal disease is by bringing your pet in to see the veterinarian at least once a year for oral examination and teeth cleaning. It is recommended that humans see the dentist twice a year, so it makes sense that we should bring our pets in at least once per year for examination and teeth cleaning. Brushing your pet’s teeth at home and safe toys and treats given daily are other ways to help prevent periodontal disease.
Just as you go to the dentist each year, your pets should too. Don’t neglect your pet’s oral care until it’s too late. Call us today at (904) 720-4275 today to get your pet scheduled for a dentistry consultation at Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming! Together, we can ensure your pet has a healthy, happy smile!
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Dr. Venkat Gutta
Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming
At Blue Star Pet Hospital and Grooming, Dr. Venkat Gutta provides high-quality and modern veterinary services to all your furry friends! At Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team are committed to providing your pets with both a full-service Veterinary Hospital and a modern grooming salon (St. Johns location only) for dogs and cats. Our primary commitment is to provide your companion animals with the highest quality medical care. Dr. Gutta strongly believes in treating your four-legged companions as family members and providing them with excellent yet affordable veterinary care. At Bluestar, we also think that it is important to educate you, as a pet owner, and ensure that the unique needs of you and your pet are met at all times. Through Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team serve clients in Durbin Crossing, Jacksonville, St Augustine, St Johns, CR 210, and other areas. Whether it is pet vaccinations, surgery, techniques, advanced diagnostic testing, or even flea and tick control products, we give you access to the best and most cutting-edge treatments and technologies. At Bluestar, we believe that your pet is the STAR!
