Pet Gum Disease

Pet Gum Disease

Dogs and cats are both susceptible to gum disease. Dogs are prone to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Cats are prone to mouth inflammation, sores and periodontal disease. Here at New Hope Animal Hospital, we would like to help you prevent gum disease in your pets.

Preventing Pet Gum Disease

Preventing pet gum disease involves getting your pet’s teeth professionally cleaned by our veterinarian in Durham, at least once a year. You can start getting your pet’s teeth cleaned and examined as soon as they are weaned. This helps ensure that your puppy or kitten’s teeth and jaw are growing correctly and helps stop potential problems early.

We also recommend taking preventative measures at home, including brushing your pet’s teeth once a week to remove plaque and giving your dog or cat dental chew toys and treats. If you need help or advice on how to keep your pet’s teeth clean, our veterinarian can instruct you on various ways to help ensure your pet’s oral health is in perfect condition.

Without regular cleanings and preventative measures, cats and dogs are susceptible to gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth decay and dangerous infections. Many dogs and cats that have not had regular cleanings develop gum disease by the time they have reached the age of three.

Treating Pet Gum Disease

Signs of gum disease in cats and dogs include pawing or clawing at the mouth, excessive drooling or puss in the drool, absolutely horrible breath and dropping or spitting out food. If your pet is displaying any of these symptoms, you should immediately schedule an appointment with our Durham veterinarian.

Our veterinarian can diagnose your pet’s oral health problems, recommend a course of treatment and clean your pet’s teeth. Treatment for early stage periodontal disease involves keeping your pet’s teeth clean to stop the gums from receding. Advanced stages require additional treatments, including antibiotic gels.

How do you help prevent gum disease in your pets?