A longitudinal assessment of periodontal health status in 53 Labrador retrievers |
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| Authors: | C Wallis K V Patel M Marshall R Staunton L Milella S Harris L J Holcombe |
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| Institution: | 1. The WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 4RT, UK;2. The Veterinary Dental Surgery, 53 Parvis Road, Byfleet, Surrey KT14 7AA, UK |
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| Abstract: | Objectives To determine the incidence and rates of progression of gingivitis and periodontitis in Labrador retrievers. Materials and Methods Fifty‐three dogs, aged 1·1 to 5·9 years, had their periodontal health assessed every 6 months for up to 2 years. The extent of gingivitis and periodontitis was measured around the whole gingival margin of every tooth under general anaesthesia. Results All dogs had gingivitis at the initial assessment. The majority (64·2%) of tooth aspects had very mild gingivitis. The palatal/lingual aspect of all tooth types was most likely to show bleeding when probed: 63·0% of these aspects had mild or moderate gingivitis. Over 2 years, 56·6% of dogs developed periodontitis and dogs as young as 1·9 years were affected. There was a significant positive correlation between the proportion of teeth with periodontitis and age. In total, 124 teeth (5·7%) developed periodontitis; 88 (71·0%) of these were incisors. The palatal/lingual aspect of the incisors developed the disease first (2·8% of incisor aspects). Clinical Significance Periodontitis developed in regions that are difficult to see in conscious dogs implying that detection and treatment of disease requires periodic sedation or anaesthesia. |
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