Mouth, Teeth, and Gums: Oral and Dental Pet Health

Hi, I too have a dog that his teeth are almost completely worn down or gone. He was a super frisbee, ball playing dog. Vets don't seem to react to teeth missing or worn down. My dog is now 10 yrs. and he eats fine and still plays ball but I stopped the frisbee. Evidently they don't have the same nerve endings in their teeth as humans! A few years ago I was ready to bring him to special vet for giving dogs new teeth!

re: Teeth problems in pets

To any pet owners who are looking for safe and effective toothpaste for their pets, there is a company that makes oral gel and spray using all natural ingredients: grapefruit seed extract, grape seed extract, neem oil, thyme oil, rosemary oil and peppermint oil. You may try googling it. Please, I am in no way associated with this company. It's just that I've been looking for safe toothpaste for my dog, and so far all the products I've looked at have questionable ingredient(s), until this one. So I'd really like to spread the word.

Collapsed trachea emergency solved -- Update on Gidget... If I hadn't been very ill with a antibiotic drug reaction, my Gidgi-poo would have been put down. I figured out what was wrong, and she's almost completely well. One night, not being able to sleep with the Keflex rash and too weak the two days before to bring her in to be put down, I lay listening to her heaving for breath - at least once she passed out. She had been so much worse that day that even at the highest dose the vet's medicine was no help at all... I thought, "what was different about today?" and it hit me... I thought that since she was dying anyway her weight didn't matter, and little by little over the course of the week I had given her all the treats/chews I had... Then I ran across a few Dentley's dental enzyme dog chews and gave her one. That evening and night she struggled, heaving and strangling for breath. The CET enzymatic dog toothpaste works so much better than the regular.. I thought these dog chews would be good for their teeth.

So I went online and researched collapsed trachea in dogs. It is a common weakness in toy and miniature dogs, some more so than others. Its cause is unknown, but the action is that the rings of the trachea somehow soften.. The rings are made of cartilage... Dental enzyme, plaque, calcium... Cartilage, calcium...!!! She always had a weakness for the symptoms of trachea trouble, hoarse coughing when she got excited, probably because she was under-nourished as a puppy, but these were her first attacks. She had had her first attack of trachea collapse in July and I took her to the vet, gave her the medicine and she got better. Well, I now realize that first attack coincided with the first time she had been on another brand of dental enzyme chew, Sentry HC Petrodex (Seargent), for a couple of months, I ran out while she was getting the meds.

It wasn't the vet meds that made her better, it was running out of the enzyme chews. When I got more in, after a couple of months again she went down - this time the vet meds did no good. With the addition of the Dentley's occasionally during the day and my recent increased use of the enzyme toothpaste.. I almost killed her. While I suspect that there will be residual damage from the spell of collapse before I discovered my mistake, two days without enzyme chews and she is almost back to normal. Warn everybody.

On the toothpaste gel for pets, I would be caution about giving my maltese something with grape seed extract since grapes are very toxic to them. (09/11/2009: Callista from Penang, Malaysia replies: "re: Teeth problems in pets)I just wouldn't want anyone's pet harmed.

I think this is a case of mistaken identity. The supplement is grapefruit seed extract. No worry about the grapes. Of course, grapes are toxic to all dogs. Grapefruit seed extract is anti-bacteria, anti-viral and anti-fungal. It is used in some hospitals as an antiseptic. It is very bitter and MUST be diluted. Many people use it on their toothbrush to eliminate bacteria

There are pet sites that sell it, so I believe it is safe for pets. I have used it for myself and for my dogs with good results.

Also, oil of oregano is great for dogs and healthy teeth. Just a drop or two and like the GSE, it must ALWAYS be diluted.

Actually, grapes ARE NOT toxic to dogs, but grape SKINS ARE TOXIC. Grape seed, and its oil are also safe.

The only way I know this is because a very close family friend with delightful shelties had the time and patience to individually peel them.

Hi, I'm aromatherapist, my kitty has the same gum problem. DO NOT USE CLOVE OIL on cats or dogs. Its Highly toxic. All u can put straight on its gums is Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil, and its nice also to mix it with his food. And Coloidal Silver water to get rid of the infection. Use only High quality organic raw products-Cold pressed oils are raw.

I have an older cat with chronic gum, teeth, mouth ulcer problems. Petzlife spray has worked well. Also will try the other suggestions for colloidal silver and lysine treatment for the ulcers.

I know this is an older post but I just stumbled across it. I am taking care of a dozen rescued cats, and one of them I found with stomatitis....and she'd had it for a very long time....years. We had to have a few teeth pulled but after some scary antibiotic issues, we stopped it all. I found that she just didn't want to eat her food, which caused her to not heal as she should (feeding raw, with multiple nutritionals). I did some research into the stomatitis (teeth and mouth infections) and found that in most cases the whole mouth is like an ulcer....inflamed...and very painful. I began to use slippery elm powder, mixed with hot water and then cooled, and then I would add the nutritionals, and whatever meat I was giving her. The VERY FIRST time I gave it to her (I was having to feed her by a dropper), when she finished I set her on the floor, and then a couple of minutes later I offered her food bowl.....she snapped her head down and smacked away and cleaned her plate!! From that day forward I just simply mix in the slippery elm/water mixture with her meat and nutritionals and she licks the plate clean.

I know it was the slippery elm....it was the only thing I changed. She had been on colloidal silver, probiotics, olive leaf, etc. etc. and a handful of nutritionals for a long time. Small improvements tho....the slippery elm put us over the top. I'm about to add bladderwrack for it's fucoidan content as well as healing iodine.

Slippery elm is very healing.....it makes a soothing and protective coating for the mouth (actually the entire digestive tract), soothes inflammation and helps healing to begin.

This is over two months now and after nearly a year working on her health, I NOW see vast improvement! She is so fantastic. Take away the pain, soothe the tissues, and healing can begin. Do some research....it's incredible reading.....

I am also using it for another of the rescued cats with mega colon. I refuse to use the laxatives the vet wants and do not want her on meds. Slippery elm normalizes bowel movements. I mix the same slippery elm into her food, along with soaked chia seeds. Beautiful.....no problems anymore. Am transitioning this one to a raw diet also, and hope to reduce her weight and bring her back to good health!

The slippery elm is fantastic stuff! It has a light maple flavor, and I thought for sure they wouldn't touch it but they seem to love it. I have another that I give it to in his cream.....loves it.

Hey Babs!

Thanks for the awesome feedback on the slippery elm! When the right remedy is applied, it works - and obviously so. Kudos on not giving up until you found the right remedy!

I am very excited to hear about your results with slippery elm and mega colon - wow! Can you please provide doses that you used - how much slippery elm powder into how much water? And how much chia seeds? I know readers following in your footsteps will be asking about dosage.

Thank you for sharing your journey!!!

My experience with slippery elm and my dog. My dog has had very bad acid reflux for years and unfortunately no vet, holistic or traditional has been able to help (they only say take Pepcid - a very bad solution). After a dental procedure in July 2013, we were given antirobe to give to our dog. It's a very potent anti-bacterial drug that is strong enough to penetrate bone. The acid reflux became so severe that our dog would faint and have a seizure from it. Again, no vet, holistic or traditional knew what to do. So, as I always do, I researched and found slippery elm. It was a "miracle" for a month. Then, he started to show signs that again no vet, holistic or traditional (we went to 5 different vets for help) knew what was going on. From Sept. 2013 thru Dec. 2013 there were symptoms which included: extreme hind side pain, wouldn't eat unless it smelled right, excessive thirst (he's got kidney disease so we thought he could be in renal failure), dry eye, etc. We tested for numerous things. I questioned everything (as I usually do). He got sub-cutaneous fluids and homeopathic remedies. It was miserable for him and for us. He would only eat liver. We got a vet nutritionist to help. Finally, after he lost a pound in a matter of weeks and then gained several pounds in two weeks, it dawned on me. It's the slippery elm that stopped the absorption of his hypothyroid medication that caused this. Yes, as I said, the severe reflux improved to just minor episodes for a month but the reflux came back anyway and in addition, he now didn't have enough thyroid medication in his system. I followed the directions of what I found online for the slippery elm (which wasn't adequate - 1 hour before the medication) because as I asked every vet no one had an answer for me except one after the fact (as that one vet mentioned, "The slippery elm should always be given at least 2 hrs before or two hours after any other medication.") Of course, no vet wanted to believe my conclusion until all the symptoms finally went away during the weeks following the end of the slippery elm usage. It took about 12 - 16 weeks following the end of the slippery elm usage for the symptoms to be completely gone and his thyroid to be back to normal. We now have found other alternative health solutions for the acid reflux (still all the vets wanted him to take Pepcid) that appear to be working.

I'm not saying to not use slippery elm. I've heard of it being helpful for very sick animals outside of this forum, too. Just please be careful if your dog/cat is on any medication (although we try very hard to use alternative health solutions, he eats home cooked organic food, thyroid medication is a necessity for our dog). I also do wonder if the slippery elm does not allow for the complete absorption of nutrients when given with food. If it causes lack of absorption of medication, that leads me to believe it could cause lack of absorption of nutrients, too.

Another thought, when a vet says that tests or study's were done on humans so the result might correct not be for dogs/cats, trust your instinct. Who's to say it might not be for them, too. BTW: every single symptom I researched that was about humans applied to my dog and led us to be able to help him. Also, he was never in renal failure (YAY! ), his excessive thirst was due to dry mouth which IS (no vet wanted to believe which caused the wrong homeopathic remedy and was just a waste of time and money) a symptom for hypothyroidism (in humans AND dogs). In addition, I found a study from the NIH that stated that humans who have hypothyroidism can have their sense of taste and smell thrown off because of it. And finally, we couldn't understand why our dog would only eat liver for weeks (which made us a bit nervous). Turns out liver is very good for the thyroid.

Bottom line: listen to your animal and then, yourself! Good luck to everyone.

Hey Dog_Conscious!

Thank you so much for sharing the journey of healing for your boy. It really pays to stick with it, and to go with your gut. I appreciate your sharing what you learned about slippery elm; it is important to understand that even when 'natural', remedies and therapies need to be studied and fully understood to avoid or negate negative side effects.

Very impressed with how you did not give up on your boy and found the answers you needed!

Thank you!

Do you use slippery elm powder, or with water. I make slippery elm with water and turn it into a type of loose paste. I use it for intestinal problems for me and my cats.

what is your slippery elm recipe for teeth. My kitty has bad teeth. I tried to get them taken care of, but the vet said he wouldnt remove the bad teeth in the back, unless I paid 1000. up front. I asked for a payment plan, and he said no. then told me that the cat would get lymphoma and die anyway with such bad teeth.

Really...here in houston tx, I had yet to find a vet with a heart of love for animals. so, now he has been diagnosed with lymphoma, and is very ill. I am wondering how to kill this back teeth problem, and have used many things.

today, I tried am looking to find more information on Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother for his back teeth. they now have an infection which is coming out of his nose. so I clean it up alot and give him goldenseal and salt water solution for his nose.

that works well. but the infection is still there. I wonder about acv, because it is quite effective in many ways. I wanted to try garlic, but it seems to be toxic to cats. so...i have gotten a pain killer from a vet, and it lasts 1 day...but I need to heal the gum area, and get those teeth out.

can anyone tell me of a better, or truly working answer? I am very holistic, but this one is frustrating me. cats seem to be allergic to so many herbs and tinctures.

patricia n.

Hello Patricia,

My first thought for you was the vet you saw was unkind, and that you try to find a vet you can work with - one who will respect your approach. There are holistic vets if you search them out. And since you appear to be dealing with cancer, to consider Essiac tea and turmeric, and perhaps Chaga mushroom. Search the EC pages for those remedies - both in human and pet sections for a range of advice.

Good luck with that on a regular basis. I was giving our greyhound raw beef bones and he got a sliver caught in his intestines. Finally passed it with a cooked turnip and potato.

Hey Carolyn!

How interesting your experience from mine. I've fed from toy breeds to giants raw bones for over 20 years and never had a complication with splinters. Perhaps its the cut of bone you fed? The O shaped marrow bones I find useless as teeth cleaners, same with the knuckles - they only serve to wear the teeth down prematurely. Rib bones and some steak bones have worked well for my pack. That said, I have introduced bones early on to my puppies and they learned from the onset to gnaw their bones rather than crush/splinter and swallow. I do believe early exposure allows for puppies to learn to gnaw bones rather than crunching them and wolfing them down.

I cured my cats naturally of mouth sores and this also works for other illness :

- rub 2% foodgrade Lugol's Iodine on the infected area twice a day for one week then once a day with a Q-tip-apply more often if severe infection

- add 3 drops of foodgrade Lugol's in a small bowl of water daily for 3 months then 2X a week, if cats very ill- daily

- sprinkle half cap 200mcg 3X a month in food

- sprinkle some psyllium husk powder once a week on food

- foodgrade DE on food daily for 2 months then 1X a week

- Cod Liver oil

- clean cats teeth with olive oiled Q-tip

- Nutrex Bioastin 12MG Hawaiian Astaxanthin- 2X a week on food

- Weruva Cat food

- Do not vaccinate pets- vaccines cause cancer

- Do not give antibiotics to cats, cause parasite overgrowth

Earmites:

Zymox

Yes! I've had my puppy, now six months of age, on a complete raw meaty bones diet, supplied with organ meat once a week. She's blazing with health, with pearly white adult teeth, doesn't smell.

For more info see www.rawmeatybones.com

Also worked wonders with a cat suffering from various ailments (sneezing, bad teeth, bad coat, urinary issues).

I have a 4yr old pit w/the same lump on her head, just behind her ear. I tied it off w/a string to cut off the blood flow. When it died or popped open I poured hydrogen peroxide on it, let it bubble. Then poured baking soda on it. Never took off the string. After it was gone and healed, the string fell off. Her black fur turned brown in that area but soon turned black again, never to return, she's almost 6 now. Thats what I did. good luck.

For Sandy from East Texas re. Iris--I posted above, recommending you try food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) mixed with her raw apple cider vinegar-dampened food, starting with 1 tsp. Once a day, increasing gradually to 1 or 2 level or rounded tsps. 2 X/day. DE absorbs and eliminates toxins from the body, and is inexpensive. Check internet for sources. Gently melted coconut oil is helpful, starting with 1 tsp. Once a day in food, increasing to 1 tsp. Twice a day. If she likes it, no need to melt it. It's probably already melted this time of year in Texas anyway. If she were our dog, I'd also order calcium bentonite clay from a certain company website, also in Texas, and apply it to her neck as a poultice, if possible. The clay is very fine and draws toxins out. You hydrate the clay with a 2:1 mix of water to clay. Add clay to the water and let sit for several hours or overnight. Stir well. Make a slab 3/4 inches in depth, apply to swelling; cover with an herb leaf such as comfrey, or a tree leaf, then cover that with self-adhering plastic wrap, wrapped around Iris's neck to keep damp and hold in place. Change once or twice a day. Along with that, pray. All good wishes be with you and Iris. I think DE will help a lot.

Thank You So Much! Iris thankfully went from a huge opening that was probly about 3 inches, you could even see her swallowing inside her throat, to a little tiny scabbed up hole. Since this can happen again to her I am printing out the note so I have it. I cant believe I cleaned her wound up to 6 times a day with hydrogen peroxide (just like I would me), switched her food to no grain or gave her homemade food, Iris loves Organic Coconut Oil! Now she has bacteria in her ear. I would rather deal with that though. Thanks!

Olive oil has removed plaque off my dogs teeth. I have not taken my dog to the vet for teeth cleaning in 6 years and her teeth look great.

Just rub olive on their teeth and let it sit a few minutes and then use a tooth brush and a little tooth paste or wrap gauze around your finger and brush pets teeth. Be careful of the gauze my dog likes to lick it and you don't want them to swallow the gauze!

I would check out Nylabones, which are very safe for puppies, especially if you don't want them eating raw hide bones at that age!

I don't care how old your dog is... do not ever (I mean EVER) give your dog rawhide. They are absolutely without a doubt poison. Not too mention a choking hazard. Do a good search.. you will find testimonials about dogs with pancreatitis and a slew of other issues from eating these chemical and bacteria charged chew toys. Just don't do it. I would say nylabones are safer... but, ask a few vets how many dogs he has seen with gum disease and injuries from obssesively chawing on these synthetic bones.

Melijda... look up raw meaty bones for teething. Not only is this good for teething... it is very healthy and NATURAL! RAW food is what god (mother nature) intended for our beloved pets... we should do as much as possible to see that they get what they need.

I had a dog die about 10 years ago from pancreatitis. I didn't realize until years later that it could have been from the pigs ears I was giving her. Don't give your dogs those awful things. Now my present dog gets raw meat and raw bones and she's doing great.

Barb again. Forgot to mention we've been feeding raw recipes to all of our animals since 2003. For cats, great website called Catnutrition.org. For dogs, searching BARF recipes will show a lot of info.