Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Periodontal disease.
- Journal:
- Topics in companion animal medicine
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Niemiec, Brook A
- Affiliation:
- Southern California Veterinary Dental Specialties · United States
Plain-English summary
Periodontal disease is a common issue in dogs and cats, but many pets show few signs of it, which means they often don’t get treated until it’s more serious. This disease can lead to serious problems in the mouth, like holes between the mouth and nose, painful fractures, and even eye issues. It can also affect other parts of the body, leading to kidney, liver, lung, and heart problems, among others. Because it often goes unnoticed, it’s important for pet owners to understand the risks and follow their veterinarian's advice for treatment. The article emphasizes the need for better awareness and management of this condition to prevent serious health issues.
Abstract
Periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in small animal veterinary medicine. In the vast majority of cases, however, there are little to no outward clinical signs of the disease process, and, therefore, therapy often comes very late in the disease course. Consequently, periodontal disease is also the most undertreated animal health problem. In addition, unchecked periodontal disease has numerous dire consequences both locally and systemically. These consequences are detailed in the article and should be utilized to educate clients and encourage compliance of therapeutic recommendations. The local consequences include oronasal fistulas, class II perio-endo lesions, pathologic fractures, ocular problems, osteomyelitis, and an increased incidence of oral cancer. Systemic diseases linked to periodontal disease include: renal, hepatic, pulmonary, and cardiac diseases; osteoporosis, adverse pregnancy effects, and diabetes mellitus. Before the discussion of consequences, this article covers the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, followed by clinical features and diagnostic tests.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18482707/