The dog, which is descended from the wolf, has teeth that are designed for hunting, killing, and tearing food apart. However, the search for food has changed for our four-legged friends: today, we open a can or even cook for our beloved furry friends. Breeding different breeds has also changed the length of dogs' noses and the spacing between their teeth. Unfortunately, all of this can lead to dental problems.
A dog's teeth are made for big jobs. They serve as eating tools, weapons, grooming tools, and communication tools. After teething—which occurs between the third and sixth month of life in dogs—a dog has 42 teeth. The upper jaw has twelve molars, two canines, and six incisors. The lower jaw is similar, with the addition of two molars.
Sometimes, for breed-related or genetic reasons, teeth may be stunted or smaller than normal. However, this does not pose a problem for the dog. The situation is quite different in the case of misaligned teeth: in this case, veterinary advice should be sought and meticulous dental care should be considered. Misalignment can impair the abrasion and use of the teeth, which can have health consequences.
Dogs with short snouts can also experience problems because their teeth cannot fit properly in their jaws. This can also result in misaligned teeth. Secondary diseases can cause damage to the jawbone and even tooth loss in dogs.
With an experienced eye, you will quickly notice yellowish or brownish discoloration on your dog's teeth or at the edge of the gums. This dental plaque is caused by food residues and bacteria. If not cleaned properly, it can develop into a painful problem.
Regular teeth cleaning is therefore a must. You can remove softer plaque yourself. Harder plaque, known as tartar, should be removed by a veterinarian. For dental care, you can use a dog toothpaste with a flavor that dogs like and a special dog toothbrush. It is best to start getting your dog used to this hygiene routine when they are still a puppy.
The right food also helps: some foods have a positive effect on dental health due to their consistency, the shape of the kibble, or additives, but not to the same extent as regular brushing. You can give your furry friend's teeth the finishing touch with suitable dog chews: there are dental care products designed to remove plaque and clean the mouth.
Does your dog not eat all of its food? Does it have difficulty biting? Then take a closer look to ensure that your four-legged friend is spared painful dental problems in the long term. You should also be alert if you notice unpleasant mouth odor in your dog. This is always an indication of decay and bacteria formation.
Genetics play a major role in dental health. Certain dogs and dog breeds are unfortunately prone to dental disease and tartar buildup throughout their lives and require intensive preventive care and regular veterinary checkups. Make at least one appointment per year to have your dog's teeth examined by a veterinarian and have a professional teeth cleaning performed. For more susceptible dogs, a six-month interval is recommended. Prevention is key when it comes to dental hygiene – and for good reason.
Heart disease is also relatively common in our four-legged friends, affecting almost one in ten dogs. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood into the circulatory system, meaning that the body is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen.
Urolithiasis, colloquially referred to as urinary stone disease, refers to the formation and deposition of various concretions in the urinary tract of horses. Although this disease occurs sporadically in horses, it can lead to serious symptoms and significant impairments. The deposits can occur in the form of crystals, grit, sand, or stones and are most commonly found (approx. 60%) in the urinary bladder. Geldings are more severely affected than stallions or mares.
What do these five letters stand for? This abbreviation comes from English and literally means "feline lower urinary tract disease." It describes all diseases of the urinary tract in cats that cause difficulty and pain when urinating. As a rule, almost exclusively indoor cats are affected; outdoor cats almost never develop this condition. Male cats are also more susceptible than female cats.
Doesn't every rider dream of an unforgettable ride on their four-legged favorite? Whether over hill and dale, along the coast, or simply from place to place. The feeling of sitting relaxed on your horse with the wind in your hair is amazing. Exploring nature together, perhaps racing neck and neck in a riding group or bravely riding into a lake to swim – you probably have all these images and stories of wonderful riding trips with happy horse-rider pairs in your head right now. We all know that it's not always sunshine and roses on four hooves and that some riders work up quite a sweat when riding through unfamiliar terrain. But with a little preparation and a few precautions, you can create the right conditions for returning from your ride full of enthusiasm and wonderful memories.
Almost all of us are familiar with asthma in humans. But chronic respiratory diseases are also becoming increasingly common among our horses. Over the past few years, various terms have been established to describe a similar complex of diseases. In English-speaking countries, the umbrella term "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" (COPD) was used for a long time, as it was assumed that the changes affected not only the bronchi but the entire lungs. In German, the term "chronische obstruktive Bronchitis" (COB) was mostly used. Although these terms are still often used today, in veterinary medicine for horses, a distinction is now only made between "RAO: Recurrent Airway Obstruction" and "IAO: Inflammatory Airway Disease." The central component of all terms is always the obstruction or narrowing of the small bronchi, which leads to breathing difficulties and coughing. The precursor to these chronic diseases is usually acute bronchitis.
This rapidly progressing muscle disease, also known as grass disease, has only been known since the beginning of the last century and is feared by horse owners because most of the horses affected die from it and the causes were unclear for a long time. It primarily affects young, well-fed horses that graze on rather unkempt, nutrient-poor pastures.
Thanks to improved preventive care, senior dogs are no longer a rarity. Similar to humans, they suffer from classic age-related ailments such as osteoarthritis, cataracts, and dementia. Around 20% of nine-year-old dogs and almost 70% of 15-year-old dogs suffer from dementia, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS or "dog Alzheimer's").
Winter affects humans and animals differently than summer. The body has to adjust to the cold, darker season. We can also help our dogs get through the winter very well.
Did you know that color rats have a pleasant calmness and can bring a lot of joy to those around them with their friendly nature?
Due to its appearance, the neck lump is also known as a talpa, which means mole tumor. It describes all inflammatory enlargements of the soft tissues in the neck area of the horse. The majority of cases are due to inflammation of the bursa located under the neck band.
In centuries past, looking into a horse's mouth played an important role, albeit primarily to determine the animal's age. Today, the focus is more on dental care and dental disease in horses. Dental hygiene is a very important aspect of keeping horses healthy. Regular veterinary checks of the mouth and teeth should be carried out at least once a year. The annual check-up and routine dental treatment can be carried out by any equine practice. In the event of specific dental problems or complications, it is advisable to consult a practice that specializes in equine dentistry. Typical dental problems in horses include tartar and the formation of hooks and edges on the molars due to uneven wear. These issues can be quickly resolved during routine treatment, preventing further damage. But how can we, as horse owners, tell if our horse has dental problems?
Hoof cancer is a chronic disease of the hoof corium. Unlike hoof abscesses, hoof cancer does not cause individual cells to die, but rather leads to uninhibited growth of individual parts of the hoof corium, accompanied by a foul-smelling discharge and a lack of keratinization of this tissue. The term "hoof cancer" was coined due to the appearance of this excessively grown, cauliflower-like tissue, although it is not a form of cancer.
