Gingival Hyperplasia |
Irish Wolfhound - Health Issues | |||
Written by Hugh McManus | |||
Warning: mktime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected the timezone 'UTC' for now, but please set date.timezone to select your timezone. in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08az/b29/ipw.wellbeyo/public_html/libraries/joomla/utilities/date.php on line 119 Warning: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected the timezone 'UTC' for now, but please set date.timezone to select your timezone. in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08az/b29/ipw.wellbeyo/public_html/libraries/joomla/utilities/date.php on line 247 Warning: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected the timezone 'UTC' for now, but please set date.timezone to select your timezone. in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08az/b29/ipw.wellbeyo/public_html/libraries/joomla/utilities/date.php on line 251 Warning: strftime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected the timezone 'UTC' for now, but please set date.timezone to select your timezone. in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08az/b29/ipw.wellbeyo/public_html/libraries/joomla/utilities/date.php on line 252 Monday, 01 September 2008 06:00 |
|||
Gingival Hyperplasia or Gingival Enlargement is an increase in size of the gingiva (the gums). The enlargement can occur for a variety of reasons but the most common reason is chronic inflammation. This type of enlargement occurs when the gingiva or gums are exposed to bacterial plaque. The gums can enlarge to the extent that they completely cover the teeth, particularly the front teeth in the lower jaw. Around 80% of dogs older than about five years of age have some kind of periodontal problem. Bacterial Plaque and Gingival HyperplasiaBacterial plaque is the most common cause. Treatment, discussed later, is difficult for Wolfhounds. The condition should be avoided. Poor oral hygiene is the most likely cause, so regular brush of the dog's teeth is important, particularly if the dog receives sweet treats. Regular brushing can help can help remove plaque preventing or delaying its buildup. Wolfhounds, with their stoic nature, are more likely than most breeds to comply with regular brushing of the teeth, perhaps the best preventative measure for gingival hyperplasia. Other CausesWhile bacterial plaque is the most likely cause, there are other events that can trigger the condition. Gingival hyperplasia is associated with the prescription of pharmaceuticals:
As always, it's important to consult a veterinarian. TreatmentIf the gingival hyperplasia is caused by bacterial plaque, then the treatment is a standard periodontal treatment, namely scaling and planing of the route. In the worst cases, surgical treatment may be needed to remove the excess gum; however, it usually reoccurs over time. Wolfhounds, like most dogs, probably require general anesthesia for such treatment. Having said that, it's always risky to put sight hounds under with a general anesthetic. The condition often occurs in older dogs–a further disincentive to put the dog under, since older animals often have weaker hearts. It's likely that breeders and veterinarians would recommend another course of treatment if possible.
|