|
Taking Care of Your Shih Tzu's Teeth and Gums |
Small dogs are slightly more prone to problems related to gums and tooth decay. If you own a Shih Tzu, you should be careful about the likely dental problems by which your pet may be affected.
One of the most common of problems with the Shih Tzu breed is diseases related to the gums. This breed may develop gum diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis.
Periodontitis is a condition that is caused by untreated gingivitis and is characterized by a milky white film that forms on the dog’s teeth and gums. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums.
The teeth of dogs of this breed, especially as a pup are sensitive and may be broken if the animal chews on a hard bone or any other hard substance. This may result in breaking, chipping or fractures of the teeth.
As a responsible pet owner, it is up to you to fight these diseases by regularly brushing the teeth of you pet and massaging its gums very gently. Brushing of the teeth with a toothpaste and toothbrush approved by your vet will definitely help to prevent tooth related problems. Make sure that you do not use human toothpaste as human toothpaste is designed to be rinsed from the mouth after use. Since dogs cannot do that, you should use toothpaste meant for dogs. Make sure that you use a soft toothbrush and brush your Shih Tzu’s teeth in a manner prescribed by your vet.
It s also a good idea to take your pet to the vet and have the teeth cleaned in a professional manner. The vet will put the animal under anesthesia and then proceed to clean the teeth and remove any buildup of plaque or tartar.
Make sure that you do not let your Shih Tzu chew on hard things such as cow hooves or hard bones as this may damage the teeth. Provide your pet with soft chew toys that help the animal through the period of teething. |