1/17/2013 - West Side Leader
     

Pets’ dental health focus in February

GREATER AKRON — Local veterinarian offices will remind pet owners to think about their pets’ oral hygiene in February, which is National Pet Dental Health Month.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “doggy breath” can signify a serious health risk, with the potential to damage not only your pet’s teeth and gums, but its internal organs as well.

On its website, the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) states that signs of oral and dental diseases in dogs and cats include bad breath; loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar; your pet shies away from you when you touch the mouth area; drooling or dropping food from the mouth; bleeding from the mouth; and loss of appetite or loss of weight.

If a pet needs dental care, owners should first consult with a vet, who can help or refer them to a veterinary dentist.

Prevention of the most common oral diseases in pets consists of frequent removal of the dental plaque and tartar that forms on teeth that are not kept clean, according to the AVDC. For tips on keeping a pet’s teeth clean at home, go to www.avdc.com.

Kathleen Folkerth contributed to this report.

• Furry friends gather at Bark in Park
• Furry friends gather at Bark in the Park