Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Periodontal disease in dogs linked to red complex bacteria
By Di Bello, A et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2014·Department of Veterinary Medicine, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Periodontal disease associated with red complex bacteria in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that dogs with gum disease, like gingivitis or periodontitis, were more likely to have certain harmful bacteria in their mouths. Specifically, nearly half of the dogs tested had bacteria called T. forsythia and P. gingivalis, which are known to contribute to periodontal disease. This suggests that these bacteria play a similar role in dogs as they do in humans. If your dog has bad breath, swollen gums, or difficulty eating, it’s important to talk to your vet about dental care and possible treatments to manage gum disease.
People also search for: dog gum disease symptoms · bad breath in dogs · periodontal disease treatment for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Red complex bacteria (Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis) play a major role in the aetiology of periodontal disease in humans. This study was designed to evaluate the association of such bacteria with periodontal disease in dogs. METHODS: Seventy-three subgingival samples taken from dogs ranging from 2 months to 12 years (median age 4 years) were tested for red complex bacteria using a polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: Thirty-six of 73 (49 · 3%) dogs were found to be positive for T. forsythia and P. gingivalis. Dogs with gingivitis or periodontitis were more likely to be infected with T. forsythia and P. gingivalis [odds ratio (OR) 5 · 4 (confidence interval (CI) 1 · 9-15 · 6), P = 0 · 002] than healthy animals. Only 3 (4 · 1%) of 73 samples were positive for red complex bacteria, but the association with periodontal disease was not significant. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results indicate that involvement of red complex bacteria in periodontal disease in dogs is similar to that observed in humans. Only the concurrent presence of T. forsythia and P. gingivalis were correlated to periodontal disease in dogs in this study.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24450418/