Avoid the dangers of spring-loaded mouth propsFebruary 12, 2018Have you ever had a patient wake up blind after anesthesia? Although it’s rare, anyone who’s been in practice for a number of years knows of a case either directly or indirectly.
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What a dental exam of a 4-year-old coonhound revealedNovember 2, 2017Back in the day, when I was a resident at the University of Pennsylvania, Tanya, a second-year veterinary student, brought her black and tan coonhound to my office. Chester was 4 years old, and Tanya was concerned that she found an oral tumor in his mouth.
WSAVA unveils first global veterinary dentistry guidelinesOctober 4, 2017To support veterinarians around the world in improving recognition of dental disease and providing greater dental care to patients, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) launched global veterinary dentistry guidelines. WSAVA hopes the guidelines will help bridge what it perceives as a significant gap in veterinary education globally and to encourage a greater emphasis on dentistry in the veterinary curriculum, according to the organization. WSAVA's Global Dental Guidelines, launched during its World Congress in Copenhagen, include information and images of oral anatomy and common pathology, as well as best-practice recommendations for oral examinations and an easily implementable dental health scoring system. Evidence-based guidance on periodontal therapy, radiology, and dental extractions also is included, together with details of minimum equipment recommendations. A key theme is WSAVA's rejection of anesthesia-free dentistry, which it describes as ineffective and a cause of unnecessary stress and suffering to patients. "Dental, oral, and maxillofacial diseases are, by far, the most common medical conditions in small animal veterinary medicine," said Brook Niemiec, DVM, DAVDC, co-chair of the WSAVA Dental Guidelines Committee. "They cause significant pain, as well as localized and potentially systemic infection but— because pets rarely show outward …
Dental product earns veterinary oral health council sealSeptember 28, 2017Two clinical studies show that SwedencareUSA's ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Bites for dogs significantly reduce the formation of plaque and tartar. As a result, the bites earned the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) health claim seal "helps control plaque and tartar." Jerzy Gawor, DVM, Ph.D., president of Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations and president elect of the European Veterinary Dental College, performed the studies. "VOHC acceptance is an important indicator in the efficacy of pet dental health products," said Martin Shimko, president of SwedencareUSA in Poulsbo, Wash. "Pets love them, and now … there is science behind the product." Study methods Two groups of dogs, one group with small dogs, and one with small and medium size dogs, participated in the studies. Between two subgroups, one received ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Bites and one received a placebo without the bites' active ingredient, Ascophyllum nodosum. All dogs were examined and had their teeth cleaned prior to the study. Study results After 30 days, researchers measured for plaque and tartar. Groups receiving ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Bites had significantly less plaque and …
Why less is more when it comes to equine dental careJuly 19, 2017Over the past three decades, care of the horse’s mouth has apparently become a huge concern. When I graduated from veterinary school, care of the horse’s mouth was the concern of an equine veterinarian and part of our overall job of taking care of the horse.
Vets, doctor, treat gorilla at Brookfield ZooJuly 3, 2017As animals live longer thanks to veterinary medicine, they’re experiencing the same issues many people face, from arthritis to dental issues. That’s what happening with Ramar, a 49-year-old western lowland gorilla at Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Ill.
At-home dental compliance strategiesMay 22, 2017Getting your clients to follow medical instructions and adhere to at-home care is always tough, but there is perhaps no bigger struggle than convincing clients to brush their pets’ teeth daily.
How to care for senior horsesApril 19, 2017Increasingly, as they age, horses are being kept as companion animals. (Horses can live well into their 30s, depending on many factors, including their level of care.) In fact, they are being kept longer and longer—in some cases past the time where they can engage in equestrian activities.
How to spot signs of oral pain in your pet patientsFebruary 13, 2017There’s no ache like a toothache. I’ve had a few toothaches in my short life, some due to my affinity for sweets and some due to my affinity for baseball. The only pain that I know of that rivals dental pain is back pain.
Why you need to choose chew toys wiselyJanuary 16, 2017Deciding on appropriate chew products for a dog involves many considerations. Due to the strong forces that dogs can generate with their jaws and the tall height of their crowns, chewing on the wrong thing may result in fractured teeth, worn teeth or trauma to soft tissue of the oral cavity.
