&es  &pname                                                                  
&pad1                                                                        
&pad2                                                                        
&pad3   &ef                                                                  
                                                                             
Prepared for:  &client    Pet's name:  &animal                               
&bs                                                                          
&es                                                                          
ADVICE ON DENTAL DISEASE          &ef                                        
                                                                             
DENTAL PLAQUE    &bf                                                         
                                                                             
Plaque is formed on the teeth from a combination of bacterial film and       
minerals in the saliva, and builds up next to the gums. The gums soon        
become infected which is both painful and causes bad breath. Eventually      
as the gums recede, teeth will be lost.                                      
&bs                                                                          
WHAT YOUR VET CAN DO     &bf                                                 
                                                                             
At this Veterinary Centre we can remove all traces of plaque using an        
ultrasonic dental scaler. This is followed up by polishing of the teeth      
to slow down any further accumulation. These procedures are performed        
under a light general anaesthesia, and &animal  would stay with us for       
the day. &bs                                                                 
                                                                             
WHAT YOU CAN DO &bf                                                          
                                                                             
1) DIET  Feed a diet consisting mainly of dry "crunchy" food from 6-8 weeks  
   of age. Your pet will then get used to chewing food if it is offered from 
   an early age. Older pets should be changed to dry food but may turn their 
   nose up at it for a few days, so make the change gradually.               
   NOTE:- Cats should never be fed commercial dry cat food exclusively as it 
   may lead to serious urinary problems (FUS). It is, however, safe to feed  
   dry Hills Science Diet as this contains lower amounts of magnesium and    
   protein.                                                                  
                                                                             
2) CHEWS  Large tough chews are ideal to keep dogs' teeth clean. Nylabones   
   are ham flavoured, very strong and long lasting. The chewing raises       
   small "bristles" on the surface of the Nylabone which help to massage     
   your dog's gums and to remove tartar. We do not recommend bones as we     
   have seen several cases of severe constipation and even one case where    
   the oesaphagus (gullet) was so severely torn by a jagged bone that the    
   puppy died. It is also very common to find fractured molar teeth from     
   chewing bones.                                                            
                                                                             
3) BRUSHING  Use a small pet tooth brush and CET toothpaste which is more    
   palatable than the human equivalent. The paste also contains an enzyme    
   system to destroy the bacteria which form plaque. Do the teeth twice      
   weekly, pulling back the lips to reach the back teeth.                    
   Do not be unduly worried by minor gum bleeding, which will quickly stop.  
   Conditioning your pet to accept brushing should be started at an early    
   age. Start by daily sessions of inspecting and interfering with &hisher   
   teeth, then gradually introduce serious brushing. Work with &animal       
   sitting on a table-top or on your lap and be firm. Then reward &himher    
   when &heshe  submits.                                                     
                                                                             
&bs                                                                          
We stock the following items for routine dental care:                        
                                                                             
Nylabones, Chewees, Beefer chews, Tooth brushes and CET toothpaste           
&bf                                                                          
.pa