Question:
We have a healthy male 3-year-old cat. We recently had his teeth cleaned under anesthesia and were informed that he would be due for another cleaning in one year. Has the protocol for teeth cleaning been changed to once a year? Or should the procedure be done as necessary?
F. & V.C., West Palm Beach, FL Oct 25, 2009
Answer:
You raise an important issue. Periodontal and other dental/oral diseases are all too prevalent in dogs and cats today. Part of the reason is highly processed, high-cereal-content and gluten-loaded pet foods that are not conducive to oral health. It is regrettable that many veterinarians are still selling such junk foods in their clinics that can put cats' health at risk and cause other health problems in addition to dental disease. Transition your cat onto a raw-food diet or my home-prepared recipe available at my Web site. Check my article on preventing periodontal disease. Giving your cat scalded chicken wingtips -- skin and all -- and then strips of raw beef shank meat or beef heart will naturally clean his teeth. Products such as PetzLife Oral Care can also help maintain healthy gums and teeth after professional cleaning. Because of anesthetic risks, this should never become a routine annual procedure. Prevention is the best medicine. A cavalier attitude toward regular anesthetization of dogs and cats with extensive dental disease should be questioned when there are high mortality rates in older animals following dental cleaning and surgery.
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