Vets urge dog owners to arrange regular dental checks
Vets in Ipswich, Queensland are urging dog owners to arrange regular dental checks for their pets.
The warning comes as vet surgeries across Australia celebrate Pet Dental Health Month, a campaign which is designed to raise awareness of the importance of oral health checks for pets.
The annual campaign, which runs throughout August, is designed to encourage pet owners to take care of their pet’s teeth and gums. It is estimated that around 80 percent of family pets suffer from decay, yet many owners are unaware that they need to take their pets for frequent dental check-ups.
Dean Tait, head vet at the Animal Welfare League, said that prevention is much better than cure when it comes to pet oral health and this is why regular examinations are important. Dr Tait said that many dog owners do not take the time to examine their dog’s mouth and for this reason it may take them a long time to notice symptoms, which means that a condition may become advanced before it is treated.
Common oral health problems amongst dogs include gum disease, broken and damaged teeth and injuries to the tongue and gum tissue.
The Animal Welfare League offers free dental examinations for pets all year round.
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