140pixels.gif (51 bytes)
Site Menu
Who We Are
   Our Mission
   Meet Dr. Boyd
   Contacting  Us

Our Community 

   Ask Dr. Billie
   Pet Links
   Email Lists

Newsletters
   Sept. 2003
   April 2003
   Feb. 2003

 Library
   Vet Drug Info
   Pet Breeds

   Flea Control
   Rainbow Bridge
   Humility
   Pet Recipes
   Puppy Training

Pet Services Find A:
   Vet
   Groomer
   Join Us

Fun & Games
   Word Search
   Animal Trivia
   Zoo Maze
   Sliding Puzzle
   Jungle Flip
   Concentration
   Number Jump
   Animal Cards
   Light Bulb Dogs
   Rules For Cats

Freebies
  Screensavers

Share Links

Privacy
Security

Return Home

Pet Lover's Newsletter

February, 2003

mailtime.jpg (10925 bytes)

Hi Pet Lovers!

Did you miss your January newsletter?  Once again, the practice was busy and there just was no time!

February is too important to miss though.  February is National Dental Month for our pets so this month's newsletter is all about teeth.  To learn about teeth, you need lots of pictures so be patient while they download.  This month you can read about:

 

I hope all of this is helpful and informative and helps everyone learn the importance of good dental hygiene in our pets. 

Don't forget to hunt for the freebies listed on the site.  Every month there are new ones.  There are currently 8 freebies (one of each with every order) on the site you can click on.

Happy Brushing!

P.S. Remember, please, feel free to write me anytime at DrBoyd@internetvets.com and pass this letter to a pet loving friend.

Send this link to a friend so they can sign up!

Subscribe!

Enter your email to join Pet Lovers Club today!

 

HTML Text AOL

If you do not get a Welcome letter within 3 days, your e-mail was not accepted.  Please sign up again.

 



5,-months - Permanent incisors have erupted. I 3 is not yet in wear.

6 months- Permanent canines have erupted (see Fig. 1-8). r/2 years. Cusp is worn off lower II. is.2y2 years. Cusp is worn off lower 12. y/2 years. Cusp is worn off upper I 1. 4V2 years. Cusp is worn off upper 12.

5 years. Cusp of lower I 3 is slightly worn. The occlusal surfaces of lower I 1 and I 2 are rectangular. The canines are slightly worn.

6 years. Cusp is worn off lower I 3. Canines are worn blunt. Lower canine shows impression of upper I 3 (see Fig. 1-8).

7 years. Lower I 1 is worn down to the root, so that the occlusal surface is elongated in the labiolin-gual direction.

8 years. Occlusal surface of the lower I 1 is beveled in front. ;

10 years. Lower I 2 and upper I 1 have occlusal surfaces elongated labiolingually (see Fig. 1-8). 12 years. I Is begin to fall out. ,, ,;

16 years. Incisors are gone. , 20 years. Loss of canines occurs.

The cheek teeth erupt at about 6 months. In connection with tooth extraction in the dog, it is of interest that the last three upper teeth have triple roots. (P 4, M 1, M 2). All the first premolars and the last lower molars have one root. All the other cheek teeth have two roots.


How Old Is My Horse--Telling a horses age by its teeth

Don't forget to read "Basics of Using Teeth to Tell Age" before trying to use this information.

The dental formula for foals is:

    2(Di3/3 Dc 0/0 Dp 3/3) = 24

The dental formula for adult horses is:

2(I 3/3 C 1/1 P 3-4/3 M 3/3) = 40 to 42

Adult teeth are indicated with capital letters.  I = incisors, P = pre-molar and M = Molar.    Deciduous teeth (baby) teeth are labled beginning with a "D" for decidious and the letter indicating the type tooth is in small case.  ie.. i for incisor, p for premolar and m for molar.

Aging horses is easier than any other animal as far as I am concerned.  Once you learn what you are looking at (look at lots of teeth!) you spot the markers immediately and with confidence.  It sounds complicated but it is not.  Print this and take it to the barn with you.  Look at every set of teeth you can.  Practice does make perfect!

The most valuable criterion for estimating age is eruption, the tooth breaking through the gum. It is necessary at this time to be able to tell deciduous from permanent teeth. Deciduous teeth are smaller, have a constricted neck, show many fine longitudinal grooves on the labial (tongue) surface, and, at the time of replacement, are well worn (see Fig. 1-3).

At eruption the permanent teeth are covered by yellow cement, whereas the remaining deciduous teeth are white, the cement having been worn off the-enamel. Permanent incisors have one large central groove on the labial surface. During the period of eruption, it is only necessary to part the lips and determine which permanent incisors have erupted. The best results will be attained with minimum disturbance of the animal. After eruption, it takes about 6 months for the tooth to grow out far enough to be in wear. When the preliminary examination reveals that all of the permanent lower incisors are in wear, the mouth must be opened far enough to see the occlusal (chewing)  surfaces and to evaluate the degree of wear. Even then strong-arm measures such as seizure of the tongue should be avoided. The horse can usually be induced to display the worn surfaces of the lower incisors if the examiner grasps the upper lip and lower jaw and inserts a finger into the diastema (space where there are no teeth on the jaw).

 

The changes caused by wear of the occlusal surfaces are shown in Figure 1-1 and are brought into relation with the anatomy of the tooth. Notice that the infundibular enamel is continuous with the outer enamel when the tooth first erupts. When the crest where they meet is worn off, the dentin is exposed. The bottom of the infundibulum contains cement, so that when the infundibulum is worn down to that level it no longer has a cup to hold black decaying feed. Only the enamel spot is left. Because the pulp cavity is on the labial side of the infundibulum, the dental star formed by the closure of the pulp cavity is in the same relation to the enamel spot.

The wearing process begins on the mesiolabial side of the occlusal surface. When the entire surface is in wear, the outer and inner enamel rings are completely separated by yellow dentin, and the tooth is said to be level. Evidence derived from the eruption and leveling of the teeth should be given more weight than the signs discussed subsequently.

The disappearance of the black cavity or cup in the infundibulum is often used to estimate age. This sign is not reliable because it depends upon the depth of the enamel infundibulum and the amount of cement in the bottom, both of which are variable. The cups are supposed to disappear from lower I 1, I2, and I 3 at 6, 7, and 8 years, but this sign should be disregarded if it is not in agreement with the leveling of the teeth. For example, if the cup is gone from I 1, but I 3 is not yet in wear, the age is probably less than 5 years-not 6 years (see Fig. 1-3). The cup often persists in I 3 in horses older than 8 years.

After the cup has disappeared, the bottom of the infundibulum remains, first as a long oval

Wi@m off the-enamel. Permanent incisors have one large central groove on the labial surface. During the period of eruption, it is only necessary to part the lips and determine which permanent incisors have erupted. The best results will be attained with minimum disturbance of the animal. After eruption, it takes about 6 months for the tooth to grow out far enough to be in wear. When the preliminary examination reveals that all of the permanent lower incisors are in wear, the mouth must be opened far enough to see the occlusal surfaces and to evaluate the degree of wear. Even then strong-arm measures such as seizure of the tongue should be avoided. The horse can usually be induced to display the worn surfaces of the lower incisors if the examiner grasps the upper lip and lower jaw and inserts a finger into the diastema.

The changes caused by wear of the occlusal surface are shown in Figure 1-1 and are brought into relation with the anatomy of the tooth. Notice that the infundibular enamel is continuous with the outer enamel when the tooth first erupts. When the crest where they meet is worn off, the dentin is exposed. The bottom of the infundibulum contains cement, so that when the infundibulum is worn down to that level it no longer has a cup to hold black decaying feed. Only the enamel spot is left. Because the pulp cavity is on the labial side of the infundibulum, the dental star formed by the closure of the pulp cavity is in the same relation to the enamel spot.

The wearing process begins on the mesiolabial side of the occlusal surface. When the entire surface is in wear, the outer and inner enamel rings are completely separated by yellow dentin, and the tooth is said to be level. Evidence derived from the eruption and leveling of the teeth should be given more weight than the signs discussed subsequently.

The disappearance of the black cavity or cup in the infundibulum is often used to estimate age. This sign is not reliable because it depends upon the depth of the enamel infundibulum and the amount of cement in the bottom, both of which are variable. The cups are supposed to disappear from lower I 1, 12, and I 3 at 6, 7, and 8 years, but this sign should be disregarded if it is not in agreement with the leveling of the teeth. For example, if the cup is gone from I 1, but I 3 is not yet in wear, the age is probably less than 5 years-not 6 years (see Fig. 1-3). The cup often persists in I 3 in horses older than 8 years.

After the cup has disappeared, the bottom of the infundibulum remains, first as a long oval containing cement, then as a small round spot of enamel near the lingual side of the tooth. Disappearance of the enamel spot varies from 13 to 16 years (see Fig. 1-4).

The dental star is the darker dentin that fills the pulp cavity as the tooth wears. It appears first as a dark yellow transverse line in the dentin on the labial side of the infundibulum of lower I 1 at 8 years. As the enamel spot recedes toward the lingual side, the dental star becomes oval and moves to the middle of the occlusal surface. It reaches this position in all the lower incisors when the animal is about 13 years old. At 15 years the dental stars are round. The star should not be confused with the enamel spot, which wears more slowly than the dentin and therefore remains elevated.

The shape of the occlusal surface changes as the tooth is worn down. It is at first oval, with the long diameter extending from side to side. Then the lingual border becomes much more strongly curved, the two diameters become equal, and the tooth is said to be round, although its actual shape is that of an equilateral triangle with round comers. The term triangular is applied to the wearing surface when the labiolingual dimension or altitude of the triangle is longer than the labial border. In the final stage, when the root is exposed in very old horses, the wearing surface is oval, with the long diameter in the labiolingual direction. The transitional forms are hard to classify, and I 3 does not follow the pattern. The following table gives the most reliable stages in this process.

Incisor Round Triangular
1 9 years 16 years
2 10 years 17 years

The so-called seven-year hook is the result of the failure of the lower I 3 to wear all of the "occlusal surface of the upper I 3. An overhang is left at the back of the upper tooth. This hook is supposed to appear at 7, wear off at 9, and appear again at 11 years. The hook may or may not be present in any horse over 6 years old."' "In one study, about 60 percent of the horses in any age class from 8 to 18 years had the hook on one side or the other or on both sides. "

 

 

Galvayne's groove is a longitudinal mark in the labial surface of upper I 3. The cement in the groove remains as a dark line, whereas that on the rest of the tooth is worn off to expose the white enamel. The groove is located midway in the length of the tooth; it is at first concealed in the alveolus, then gradually emerges from under the gum as the tooth grows out, and finally disappears as the ungrooved proximal part of the tooth comes into view. According to Galvayne, the groove appears at the gum line at 10 years, extends halfway down the tooth at 15 years, reaches the wearing surface at 20 years, and disappears by 30 years. The groove is of little value as a single indicator of age. If it is present, the horse is probably over 10 years old. The length of the groove or the absence of it can only be used in conjunction with other signs (Fig. 1-2).

 

There are three other general indications of age. (1) When the teeth are viewed in profile, the angle between the upper and lower incisors becomes more acute with age. (2) When the teeth are viewed from the front, they are seen to diverge from the median plane in a young horse and to converge in an old one. (3) The arcade of the incisors when seen from the occlusal surface is a semicircle in the young horse and a straight line in the older animal.

The more useful signs are arranged chronologically in the following list:

1 week. Di 1 has erupted.

 1 month. Di 2 has erupted.

8 months. Di 3 has erupted.

1 year. Di 1 and Di 2 are in wear. Upper and lower Di 3 are not in contact. There is no deciduous canine.

2 years. Di 1 and Di 2 are level, Di 3 is in wear. It is easy to confuse this stage with the adult if the general appearance of the animal and the differences between deciduous and permanent incisors are not considered.

2'/2 years. I 1 erupts.

3 1/2  years. I 2 erupts.

4'/2 years. I 3 erupts.

5 years. I 1 and I 2 are level, labial border of I 3 is in wear. Canines erupt at 4 to 5 years, usually only in males.

6 years. Cup is gone from I 1.

7 years. All lower incisors are level. Cup is gone from I 2. Hook is in upper I 3. Cement has worn off, changing the color from yellow to bluish-white.

8 years. Dental star appears in I 1. Cup is gone from I'3.

9 years. I 1 is round.

10 years. I 2 is round. Galvayne's groove begins to emerge from the gum on upper I 3. 13 years. The enamel spot is small and round in the lower incisors. The dental stars are in the middle of the occlusal surfaces.

15 years. Dental stars are round, dark, and distinct. Galvayne's groove extends halfway down to the occlusal surface.

16 years. I 1 is triangular.

17 years. I 2 is triangular. Enamel spots are gone from lower incisors.

In addition to the changes in the incisors, it is important in dentistry to know that the permanent premolars erupt as follows: P 1 (wolf tooth) at 5 to 6 months, P 2 at 2'/2 years, P 3 at 3 years', P 4 at 4 years. The molars erupt: M 1 at 1 year, M 2 at 2 years, M 3 at 31/2 to 4 years. Note that the large cheek teeth erupt at ages that correspond with their numerical designations.

The upper cheek teeth are slightly lateral to the lower cheek teeth; therefore, the labial edge of the upper cheek teeth and lingual edge of the lower cheek teeth do not wear and must be filed (floated) to prevent injury to the lip and palate. Caps are remnants of deciduous teeth that remain attached to the erupting surfaces of permanent teeth.


How to brush your pets teeth

Prevention of dental disease should be included as part of your pet’s overall preventive medicine program, just like vaccinations.

Tooth brushing doesn't happen overnight. It requires training, just like “sit,” “stay” and “come.” First, select a convenient time when you and your pet are both relaxed. For the first few days, simply hold your pet as you normally do when petting him/her. Gently stroke the outside of your pet’s cheeks with your finger for a minute or two. Then, after a few days, place a small amount of C.E.T. Toothpaste on your finger and let your pet sample the flavor. Pets love the flavors of C.E.T. Toothpastes, and soon will consider it a treat.

Next, introduce your pet to a C.E.T. Toothbrush or Fingerbrush. Place a small amount of C.E.T. Toothpaste on the brush and gently brush one tooth with a slow circular motion. Gradually increase the number of teeth brushed until you’ve built up to 30 seconds of brushing per side. It is important to reward your pet with a healthy treat and plenty of praise after every step of this process. Soon, both you and your pet will look forward to the time you spend together during this important health care procedure.

As with any other routine, it’s best to begin a dental care program when pets are young puppies or kittens. Follow up home care with regular complete dental cleaning by your veterinarian.


For more information about pet dental health and C.E.T. Home Dental Care for your pets, consult your veterinarian. Ask how you can get on the path to better pet dental health. Your pet will love you longer for it!
 

   

Canine

The brush should be rotated in a circular fashion at a 45 degree angle with emphasis on the stroke away from the gingiva.

 

Feline


 


New products for February 2003

Click on any blue word or picture to go to that product on the site.  This will open an new window.  To return to the newsletter, simply close the open window by clicking on the "x" in the upper, right hand corner or you can start shopping from the open window.

C.E.T. Hextras

C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews with Chlorhexidine are patented and available exclusively through veterinarians. C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews combine the mechanical action of rawhide, the renowned antimicrobial power of chlorhexidine and the trusted C.E.T. name in a convenient, palatable chew for dogs.  They come in petite, medium,  large and x-large.

 

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews for cats are made from freeze-dried fish, provide an abrasive texture for removal of plaque and contain the C.E.T. Dual Enzyme antibacterial/antiplaque system. Available in fish or poultry flavor.

 

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews for dogs are made from select beef hide and are coated with the C.E.T. Dual Enzyme System for added antibacterial action and superior plaque control. Basted with a great poultry flavor dogs love! Available in sizes for all dogs from petite to extra large.

 

 

 

 

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse combines 0.12% Chlorhexidine and Zinc Gluconate in a plaque-fighting formulation that may be used with or without brushing. It also contains Cetylpyridinium chloride for fresh breath fast. A unique bent-stem applicator is also included  for easy administration.

 

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Gel uses the same 0.12% Chlorhexidine and Zinc Gluconate combination as C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse. The thick consistency of the gel allows for prolonged contact time on tooth surfaces, and the unique Dial-a-Dose Syringe makes for easy application. Use with or without brushing.  32 ml dial a dose syringe.

 

 

 

 

 

C.E.T. Toothbrushes come in a wide variety of sizes and designs to fit the needs of all pets and their owners.

 

 

 

 

There are many more dental products on the site!!

 

Unlike common petroleum-based products, which can interfere with your cat's ability to absorb nutrients, the natural oils found in Vetbasis Hairball Gel won't interfere with nutrient absorption. In fact, Vetbasis Hairball Gel is enriched with vitamins, antioxidants and Taurine to keep cats healthy while allowing hairballs to pass naturally through their systems.

 

Hypoallergenic Smoked Buffalo Bones Dog Treats

These smoked buffalo bones are the treat of choice for allergic dogs. Most dogs have never been fed buffalo so there is no way to have an allergic reaction to it! That makes them hypoallergenic! Each shank in 3 to 5 inches long and 6 to 10 ounces. Individually shrink wrapped.
These are shank sections and full of tasty marrow. They provide hours of chewing pleasure for the most finicky dog.  $1.99

**Remember -- chewing on bones is great for the teeth and gums! **

 

New Category   MEDICAL SUPPLIES

Tape, Gauze, Surgical Instruments, Surgical Scrub, Surgical Drape, Co-Flex.....

Hemostats    Thumb Forceps    Needle Holders

      

 


3 Easy Steps to Healthy Teeth

1. Chew

More than just a reward for good behavior! Treat your pet every day to great-tasting C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews. For dogs and cats of all sizes, C.E.T. Chews are easy to chew and digest and are tasty too! Select from beef hide for dogs or freeze dried fish for cats.

Chews have C.E.T.’s exclusive antibacterial system and time-tested Dual-Enzyme System to control plaque and eliminate bacteria buildup. They can be fed as a treat once a day (on non-brushing days) or as directed by your veterinarian. Chews are the easiest method of care for pet owners but should be used with brushing for best results.

 

2.  Rinse

If it’s difficult for you to brush at first, C.E.T. antiplaque Oral Hygiene Rinse and Gel provide antibacterial action and superior plaque prevention. Rinse and gel are easy to use—just apply between your pet’s cheek and gum for plaque control without brushing.

A soothing, refreshing and palatable solution, C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse quickly covers the entire mouth, reaching even those difficult areas.

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Gel’s high viscosity adhesiveness increases the contact time in your pet’s mouth for maximum plaque removal. Its mild seafood flavor appeals to both dogs and cats.

Both contain ZincChlorhexidate™, a powerful proven agent that fights plaque without brushing

3.  Brush

Daily tooth brushing is the best at-home method of ensuring your pet will enjoy good dental health. It’s easy, quick, and can be fun for both you and your pet.

See "How to Brush Your Pet's Teeth"

Start with a healthy mouth, following a complete cleaning by your veterinarian, using C.E.T.’s specially designed soft-bristle toothbrushes and pet-pleasing toothpastes. Choose the C.E.T. Fingerbrush, a great starter, which slips over your finger to gently brush your pet’s tooth surfaces and gum line.

C.E.T. also offers the Mini Toothbrush for cats and small dogs, an angled Cat Brush with tufted bristles, a small triangular-headed Pet Toothbrush, and the Dual-Ended Toothbrush with large and small angled heads to brush all teeth.

C.E.T. Toothpastes make brushing a breeze! In flavors pets love, toothpastes are meant to be swallowed and come in two formulas—C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste in poultry, malt or vanilla-mint flavors and C.E.T. Tartar-Control Toothpaste, a more abrasive formula with strengthened enzyme system in seafood or beef flavor. C.E.T. Toothpaste fights plaque fast!
 

Internet Vets
455 West Belmont Drive , Calhoun, GA  30701
Phone: (706)  602-2007  /  Fax: (706) 602-2681

 Emailc.jpg (6660 bytes)  
Email:

(And yes, pigs do fly...given sufficient thrust.)

Advanced Internet Systems - Internet Marketing That Works

Copyright © 1999-2004 Internet Vets. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 15, 2004.

Contact Us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hit Counter