Brushing teeth and regular check prevents dental problems of dog and cat
February: dental month
In February, vets pay extra attention to dental care in pets. This is necessary, as teeth can cause health problems in animals. Important parts of dental care include regular tooth brushing and having their teeth checked at the vet. As in humans, inferior dental care can lead to serious inflammation and pain. In some dog breeds, hereditary dental problems occur.
Brachycephalic dogs, such as the Pug, the English Bulldog and the French Bulldog, have overcrowding of teeth due to little space in their jaws, resulting in dental problems.
Overbite
In huskies, amongst others, overbite occurs as an inherited disorder, resulting in the lower canines injuring the palate. The Expertise Centre for Veterinary Genetics of Utrecht University conducts genetic research on overbite in the husky to develop a DNA test for this condition.
An overbite occurs in more dog breeds. The findings in the husky could therefore also be relevant for other dogs. The study project recently received financial support, allowing it to continue. Owners who see an overbite in their dog are therefore asked to come forward to donate the dog’s DNA material. (See below.)
Dental diagnoses in the PetScan registration system
The Expertise Centre for Veterinary Genetics is calling on vets across the Netherlands to enter dental diagnoses in PetScan, just like any other diagnoses. The registration system is an important source of information for veterinarians when making a diagnosis, and for veterinary scientists when doing research.
Henriëtte Booij-Vrieling, dentist and veterinary specialist says: ‘Entering dental problems in PetScan will give a clearer picture of which breeds show dental disorders more often. For example, there is a perception that very small dog breeds, such as the Chihuahua, the Pomeranian and the Yorkshire Terrier, are more likely to have severe gum disease, resulting in many teeth having to be removed early on, but figures on this are lacking.’
In the Netherlands, PetScan is integrated into the patient management systems Animana, VIVA and Provet. A veterinary clinic in the Netherlands can register for PetScan free of charge.
The PetScan project is made possible in part by the partners and donors of Friends of Veterinary Medicine, with support from many private donors, Maria Naundorf van Gorkum fund, Abri for Animals Foundation, Dutch Companion Animal Database Foundation, Royal Canin and Anicura.
For research into overbite in the husky, researcher Christina Kijan recently received financial support from Stichting Animales. This allows this important research work to continue. Do you have a dog with an overbite yourself? Contact her at ecgg@uu.nl. More DNA is needed to conduct further research.
Do you also want to contribute to a healthier future for animals? You can make a difference! Will you help?