DENTAL CARE FOR WESTIES

WITH GOOD DENTAL CARE, YOUR PET CAN ENJOY A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE

Don't wait for the "warning signs"....bad breath, inflamed gums, yellow/brown tartar around the dogs gum line or gums bleeding when the dog eats. There can be serious consequences from poor dental health. Your Veterinarian can teach you how to care for your pet's teeth and gums early on. BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER.

If you have a puppy, talk to you vet about dental care on your first visit. It is a good idea to start caring for your Westie's teeth long before they reach the age of three. If your pet is over three years of age, and you have never had your pet's teeth checked, you should schedule a dental check up with your Veterinarian as soon as possible. If a dental cleaning is necessary, your vet should advise you to do pre-anesthesia blood work to make sure your pet does not have any underlying problems. This is a check on the overall health of your pet to make sure that liver, kidneys, and blood counts are within normal ranges and to reduce any risks possible prior to the anesthesia. Many pets with bad teeth will be put on an antibiotic a few days prior to the dental to calm the infection and reduce possibility of complications.

Gus shows his pearly whites

PREVENTION

Prevention is the key to helping your pet maintain good oral health. The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends that pet owners follow three important steps:

1. VISIT YOUR VETINARIAN
   Visiting your veterinarian is the key to ensuring the health of your pet's teeth. A veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical examination of your pet as part of the dental evaluation.
2. START A DENTAL CARE ROUTINE AT HOME
   Removing plaque regularly from your dog's teeth should be part of your daily routine. Ask your veterinarian about the procedure for brushing your dog's teeth. There are products on the market made specifically for dogs. Never use human toothpaste on your dog.
   
   Your vet may recommend a specially formulated food that will help reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar from teeth when the dog eats. Ask your veterinarian about more information on dietary options.
   
3. GET REGULAR VETERINARY DENTAL CHECKUPS
   The family veterinarian needs to monitor the progress of your pet's preventive dental care routine much the same way a dentist monitors your teeth. Regular dental check-ups are essential. Remember that infected teeth and gums are not just a problem in the mouth. The tartar and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria than can infect other parts of the body. The dog's heart, kidneys, intestinal tract, and joints may also be infected. With regular dental care, you can prevent some of these more serious side effects.

Well, he is small and he is white, he has black eyes and upright ears....so okay, he isn't a Westie...but he is showing us how to brush our Westie's teeth!!

Note: We are not aware of the 'owner' of this photo to ask permission for its use...if anyone can inform us, we will be happy to ask permission and give credit.