1321. Periodontal Disease Grade 1 and 4 in 3 dogs

Puppy canine teeth usually drop off by 7 months of age. If not, they obstruct growth and development of the permanent canine teeth. In time, hair and food get stuck between the puppy and permanent canine teeth causing periodontal disease.
The Dachshund's upper left and right puppy canine teeth still have not dropped off but the lower ones are gone.

No periodontal disease at this age generally in all teeth. Gums are not inflamed. No pus. No periodontal tissue attachment loss in this left upper permanent canine tooth. But the right upper one has gingivitis and is classified as Periodontal Disease Grade 1.









In another dog, a 12-year-old Papillon with heart disease, there is periodontal disease in the upper canine teeth as shown in the images below.

 

 

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 An educational video is produced by Intern Chiang Ling Ling as follows:

 

 

 

Chow Chow at 18 months now has Grade 1 periodontal disease

 

 

 

Miniature Schnauzer came in because she was lethargic and her front paws were swollen. When I tried to open her mouth, she exhibited a frenzied avoidance behavior turning her mouth away from me. Then she started to paw her mouth with her front paws inserted inside her mouth.

 

This would be a case of periodontal disease Grade 4 in her upper left canine rather than a case of lameness in the front paws as perceived by the owner. After dental work, the dog is active and does not have bad breath. This case can be easily mis-diagnosed as lameness when the cause of the lameness is bad teeth.

An educational video is at: