Your pet’s dental health plays a major role in their overall health and well-being. Oral conditions, like dental disease, are classified as the most commonly diagnosed medical problems in dogs and cats. Dental disease, even in minor cases, can lead to major problems in the overall health of your pet. Bacteria entering the bloodstream are dispersed throughout the body to major organs such as the liver, heart, and kidneys. Infections commonly follow and may result in irreversible damage. Damage to these vital organs can, in turn, affect numerous systems throughout the body. Prevention is of the upmost importance, as treatment is not always possible. Studies in both human and animal health are consistently finding poor dental hygiene to be linked to diseases and failures of major organs including the liver. Owners must monitor their pet’s dental health at home as our companions commonly age at approximately 7 times the rate of a human. Annual or semi-annual visits to your veterinarian should be utilized to establish a prevention/treatment plan for dental health care year round. Owners noticing changes in their pet’s behavior, eating habits, and/or teeth are encouraged to seek professional advice from their veterinarian.
Ask us at Animal Central for more information on how periodontal diseases can affect the health of your pet’s liver.
Dr. George Stroberg, DVM and Staff
