Oral Health
New research could help prevent canine periodontal disease in the future
Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most common issues that impacts dogs’ health and wellbeing.1,2 It can be very painful, causing much distress. It can also lead to other issues that have a significant impact on dogs’ overall health.3
In a new study, researchers at Waltham Petcare Science Institute set out to investigate which dogs are most at risk of PD. Because, by understanding the risks, both owners and veterinarians can work to identify and manage them in the future.
In this large-scale study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, Dr Alex Jemmett et al. found PD was reported by the owners of over 50% of dogs
Researchers gathered data from 12,753 dog owners. This included dog demographics, and health and lifestyle insights.
The team ascertained that PD was reported by the owners of 50.5% of the study population, and this made them more likely to be described by those owners as ‘fearful’ or ‘timid’. But what were the factors that put them at risk in the first place?
Age and breed both contribute to PD
Of the dogs in the study, those aged eight years and older had a significantly higher risk of PD. Meanwhile, those under four had the lowest risk, which supports extensive previous research.1,4
PD was most common in toy and small breeds. American Cocker Spaniel, Papillon, Yorkshire Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Pomeranian all had an increased risk. In contrast, large breeds had the smallest odds of PD. Again, these findings confirm previous research.1,4
The importance of oral care and regular veterinary visits
The research team also found owner-reported PD was less frequently associated with dogs that used chew toys.
For dogs whose owners used liquid, gel, oil or powder-based products as part of their oral care routine, their risk was higher.
Importantly for pet owners, the team also found that dogs were less likely to have a diagnosis of PD if they hadn’t visited a veterinarian in the past two years. This highlights the importance of regular veterinary care for timely PD diagnosis and, in turn, proactive management.
Reflecting on the significance of these findings, Dr Alex Jemmett, CBiol, MRSB, RAnimSci, Senior Research Scientist at Waltham, says:
“Our findings support numerous existing reports regarding canine periodontal disease and its associated risk factors. They also highlight key issues regarding the management of PD.
“It’s our hope that the risk factors we’ve highlighted could contribute to earlier identification and prevention in the future.”
At Waltham, canine oral health is one of our research priorities. Our experts, like Dr Jemmett, continue to be at the forefront of research in this area, uncovering ways to improve the health and wellbeing of dogs in service of our Purpose – to build A Better World for Pets.
References:
O'Neill, D.G., Mitchell, C.E., Humphrey, J., Church, D.B., Brodbelt, D.C. & Pegram, C. (2021) Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 62, 1051–1061. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/JSAP.13405
Wallis, C. & Holcombe, L.J. (2020) A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs. The Journal of Small Animal Practice, 61, 529–540. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/JSAP.13218
Cunha E, Tavares L, Oliveira M. Revisiting Periodontal Disease in Dogs: How to Manage This New Old Problem? Antibiotics (Basel). 2022 Dec 1;11(12):1729. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics11121729. PMID: 36551385; PMCID: PMC9774197.
Wallis, C., Saito, E.K., Salt, C., Holcombe, L.J. & Desforges, N.G. (2021) Association of periodontal disease with breed size, breed, weight, and age in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States. The Veterinary Journal, 275, 105717. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TVJL.2021.105717
