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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Last night I listened to a lecture by a veterinary dentist from a big vet hospital in New York City. I thought I’d mention some of the useful things I remember.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You should brush the dog’s teeth at least every other day. He said toothpaste isn’t necessary, but makes it more tasty for the dog. He thought a soft child’s toothbrush was the best. Personally, I prefer the finger brush, because I can tell exactly what I’m doing, but there you go. Brush the teeth for at least 30 seconds.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He said, if the dog isn’t used to teeth-brushing, start by letting him lick a little toothpaste off your fingers, then, in a few days, use your finger to rub a little on a few teeth, and slowly move on from there. (We just jumped right in when we learned it in class, and my dogs have been fine with it, but I guess that’s not always the case, even among guide dogs.) He confirmed you only have to do the outsides of the teeth, not the tongue sides.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He said at least 75% of dogs have dental issues, but less in large dogs like labs than in small dogs. He said the only way to really find dental disease is with X-rays taking while the dog is sedated, and should probably happen yearly.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He said to stay far away from vets who say they can do dental work on dogs without anesthesia; it’s dangerous for both the dog and the vet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He said that if a toy is too hard to make an indentation in it using a thumbnail, then it’s too hard for a dog to chew. Krokus loves his Nyla-knot, but it’s definitely too hard by that test. He also said tennis ball covers act like sandpaper on teeth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And lastly, he said bad breath is an indicator of dental disease. Uh-oh.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>