Risks of Poor Pet Dental Health

Animals, like humans, suffer from dental and oral health issues, which might affect their general well-being. While some of the conditions are linked to unpreventable congenital, hereditary, and autoimmune diseases, many of them are preventable. You might have heard your vet talk about an animal’s dental care, but perhaps you did not pay as much attention. Dental health in animals is important because the consequences of poor oral hygiene go beyond mouth issues. Poor oral hygiene can cause severe health issues in animals. Below are some of the common risks linked to poor dental health in animals.

 

Reduced Immunity

Periodontal disease will begin with a hard substance on the gumline of your pet, known as plaque. When this is left on the tooth’s surface, it triggers the animal’s immune system and initiates an inflammatory response. This inflammatory process is meant to kill the bacteria in the plaque, but it will also destroy the tissues around it.
 

Severe periodontal disease generally means heightened inflammatory responses and increases the risk of the bacteria on the teeth entering the animal’s bloodstream. The systemic bacteria place considerable stress on your pet’s immunity system. A lowered immunity means that your beloved animal is highly prone to deadly infections.

 

Increased Cardiac Disease Risk

Bacterial endocarditis is an infection that affects the lining of the heart. It is often seen in dogs with dental issues as the bacteria in the mouth breach the oral barrier and travel to the heart muscles. In most cases, bacterial endocarditis has subclinical symptoms meaning that you will not see much change in your animal.

The characteristic sign most pet owners report is lethargy after months of the disease destroying your pet’s heart muscles and affecting the pumping of blood. The continued destruction and repair of the heart muscles causes the formation of scars that affect the heart’s operation. This places your pet at a heightened risk of cardiac disease.

 

Malnourishment

Dental issues are generally accompanied by oral pain. The pain is linked to the abscesses, repeated jaw fractures, loose teeth, gingivitis, and cavities associated with untreated oral health conditions. It stops your pet from feeding, playing, and grooming leading to malnourishment, weight loss, and a poor hair coat.

 

Diabetes

The repeated inflammation in your pet’s mouth and the high risk of infections might affect its blood-sugar metabolism and decrease insulin sensitivity. In turn, these events lead to the development of diabetes mellitus and make the regulation of sugar challenging in pets that are already diabetic. The high levels of sugar in both instances provide healthy grounds for bacteria proliferation, meaning you deal with hard-to-treat infections.



 

You cannot entrust your pet’s dental health to any animal clinic with the above risks. Get a vet with experience to guarantee the highest levels of dental care for your animal. Liberty Animal Clinic is the best choice in this case. We are located in Hinesville, Georgia. You can also call us at {912} 368-4080 to book an appointment.