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American Veterinary Center
Happier & Healthier Pets |
30-
El Gezira EL Wosta Street
Zamalik , Cairo, Egypt. 11211
Tel .# 02 27376664
Mob.# 016 8877005 |
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Visit
Us Today
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Your pet
counts on you for protection
With major advances in treating
serious infectious and other pet diseases, oral disease
–most importantly periodontal or gum disease caused by
the buildup of plaque and tartar– has become the
number-one health problem for cats. It’s estimated that
without proper dental care 70% of cats will show signs
of oral disease by age three. With your help, your pets
can have healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives.
You simply need to provide them with a few things:
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A nutritious diet |
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Chew treats recommended by a
veterinarian |
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Regular brushing at home |
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Yearly dental checkups by a
veterinarian |
Good dental health begins with the proper diet
The wrong kinds of food can cause
dental distress in pets. Feeding your cat a dry food
rather than a moist, canned one will, through its mild
abrasive action on the teeth, help remove the bacterial
plaque that can harden into tartar. Dry food also provides
adequate chewing exercise and gum stimulation. Avoid
giving your pet sweets and table scraps as they may also
increase plaque and tartar formation. Your vet may
recommend the use of special dry foods designed to reduce
plaque and tartar buildup, especially if your pet is prone
to dental problems due to his breed or individual genetic
history.
Brushing your pet’s
teeth
Cats need to have their teeth
brushed in order to eliminate the dental plaque that can
cause tooth decay and the formation of tartar, which can
lead to gum disease. You should begin a regular, daily
brushing routine as soon as you bring your new kitten
home. Even older cats can be trained to accept having
their teeth brushed. You simply need to introduce the
activity gradually and make the experience a positive one
for your pet. Reassure and praise him profusely throughout
the process and reward him with a very special treat when
it’s finished. Here’s how it can be done:
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Phase 1
Start by dipping a finger
in tuna water or warm water. Rub this finger
gently over your pet’s gums and one or two teeth.
Repeat until your pet seems fairly comfortable
with this activity. |
Phase 2
Gradually, introduce a
gauze-covered finger and gently scrub the teeth
with a circular motion. |
Phase 3
Then, you can begin to
use a toothbrush, either an ultra-soft model
designed for people (baby tooth-brushes work well
for cats) or a special pet tooth-brush or finger
brush, which is a rubber finger covering with a
small brush built in at its tip. |
Phase 4
Finally, once your pet is
used to brushing, introduce the use of pet
toothpaste in liquid or paste form. Most of these
contain chlorhexidine or stannous fluoride—ask
your veterinarian for his or her recommendations.
Don’t use human toothpaste, as it can upset your
pet’s stomach and cause your cat to foam at the
mouth. Your vet may also advise the use of an
antiseptic spray or rinse after brushing.
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Don't forget
a yearly dental checkup
Doing your best to ensure that
your cat receives the proper diet and regular brushing at
home will help maintain his or her teeth and gums in top
condition. To provide optimum dental care at home, you
need to start with a clean bill of dental health. That’s
where your pet’s veterinarian comes in. He or she will
give your pet a thorough examination of the entire oral
cavity to determine whether there are any underlying
problems and, especially important, tartar buildup.
Brushing removes plaque but not tartar, so if your pet’s
teeth do have tartar, your veterinarian will have to
remove it with a professional cleaning and polishing,
usually accomplished under anaesthesia. After removing the
tartar above and below the gum line, your veterinarian may
treat your pet’s teeth with fluoride and will provide you
with instructions for home care and follow-up.
A few tips:
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Watch out for
wood—letting your cat pick up a piece of wood with his
mouth can result in splinters and gum damage. |
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Don’t let your pet chew on hard
materials like bones or stones. They can wear down,
even break teeth, damage gums and lead to infection. |
A few
statistics:
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Kittens have their first 26
“milk” or deciduous teeth at 2 to 3 weeks of age.
Their 30 permanent teeth begin erupting around 3
months.
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Cats have the
fewest teeth of any common domestic mammal. |
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We understand that
your pet is a very special member of your family. |
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