My Mom just got her Yorkies a shot to keep their teeth clean!

[sheilajom]

Hmm, new to this teeth brushing thing.... I have only had Harley for about 2 and a half weeks. How often and with what am I supposed to brush his teeth. I've never brushed a dog's teeth before! Do they really get dirty? He eats dry food and chews those teeth brushing green things.

[GurleyGirl]

My vet told me about the shot about two years ago... It sounded like she wanted my dogs to be the experiments!! I nicely declined.

She mentioned the shot to me because I take some of my tinier yorkies in for teeth cleanings frequently.. she thought the shot could help.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by sheilajom

Hmm, new to this teeth brushing thing.... I have only had Harley for about 2 and a half weeks. How often and with what am I supposed to brush his teeth. I've never brushed a dog's teeth before! Do they really get dirty? He eats dry food and chews those teeth brushing green things.

A dog's teeth are no different than ours (except for being pointy). But they get dirty just like ours...they have bacteria in their mouth just like we do. When they eat, food sticks to their teeth, bacteria builds up, plaque begins to grow and it quickly turns to tarter. Eventually the gums turn red and get irritated and the teeth start to rott. Imagine if you never brushed your teeth. It's very important to brush your dog's teeth. They make small dog tooth brushes and brushes you can place over your finger that you can buy at petstores. Be sure to get a toothpase especially for dogs and cats as they can't use our toothpastes. Idealy you should brush every day, but once or twice a week may be sufficient. You can also buy products like Petzlife gel to coat their teeth and reduce tarter buildup.

Lacy & Rylie are 3 1/2 years old and have never had their teeth cleaned (other than having baby teeth pulled). Hopefully they'll never need to be professionally cleaned if I brush their teeth regularly.

[mypreciouspups]

Interesting... thanks for this thread michele....anne

[sheilajom]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

A dog's teeth are no different than ours (except for being pointy). But they get dirty just like ours...they have bacteria in their mouth just like we do. When they eat, food sticks to their teeth, bacteria builds up, plaque begins to grow and it quickly turns to tarter. Eventually the gums turn red and get irritated and the teeth start to rott. Imagine if you never brushed your teeth. It's very important to brush your dog's teeth. They make small dog tooth brushes and brushes you can place over your finger that you can buy at petstores. Be sure to get a toothpase especially for dogs and cats as they can't use our toothpastes. Idealy you should brush every day, but once or twice a week may be sufficient. You can also buy products like Petzlife gel to coat their teeth and reduce tarter buildup.

Lacy & Rylie are 3 1/2 years old and have never had their teeth cleaned (other than having baby teeth pulled). Hopefully they'll never need to be professionally cleaned if I brush their teeth regularly.

Thanks for the info, I will get him a toothbrush this weekend!

[nikkinack]

The vaccine, available to veterinarians today, called Porphyromonas Denticanis-Gulae-Salivosa Bacterin, targets three types of bacteria which the company says is prevalent in 76 percent of dogs with periodontitis.The most common side effects of this vaccine are pain and lethargy that may last up to 4 days. There is a lot of vets that will not even offer it due to some of the issues, here is a site to read some opinions. O and you still have to brush your dogs teeth even if you get the shot.
DoggieNews: New Pfizer Vaccine for Periodontal Disease

[sheilajom]

I got this liquid to put in my dog's water that the vet recommended. It has some kind of enzyme in it to keep the teeth clean.

[Julz]

I just read the info on the site posted two posts above mine. I will not be getting the shot for any of mine. I wasn't familiar with this at all. I'll have to let my Mom know what I have learned.