Having a dog, a person assumes great responsibility. Unfortunately, pets sometimes get sick, so the owner needs to have basic knowledge in order to contact the veterinarian on time.
Often inexperienced dog breeders ask questions: why do dogs lose their teeth? When is this considered the norm? It is important to know that they change only once in a lifetime. This happens in puppies when molars are cut. Naturally, this process is accompanied by a loss of dairy.
But do dogs lose teeth older than one year old? This also happens, however, indicates abnormalities in health. This will be discussed in detail in the article.
Dentition
Before we understand the causes of tooth loss in adult dogs, let's get acquainted with the anatomy. Puppies are born, like small children, with empty gums. The first teeth appear in them at 1 month of life. They are called "needles." After two to four weeks, the rest erupt. Puppies in the first bite do not have molars. A full range of milk teeth consists of 32/28 pieces. Their number may vary depending on the breed of the dog. In the first case, each of the jaws will have 16 teeth, in the second - 14. It is worth noting that they can appear at different times in puppies of not only one breed, but even one litter. The norm is considered a difference of 7-14 days.
Let's look at the order in which teeth are cut:
- milk fangs - on the 20th-25th day;
- incisors - on the 30-40th day;
- premolars appear from the 35th day of life to the 60th.
In decorative breeds of dogs, the first teeth are cut only on the 40th day from birth. Moreover, such a delay applies to the entire milk row.
When is the replacement of primary teeth permanent
What teeth fall out in dogs? If the animal is healthy, then only dairy animals should change. This happens at about 3 months of age. It is impossible to determine the exact dates, since everything will depend on the breed of the dog. The main thing is to know that the dentition is completely changing in the first year of life. Dates vary in a few months. For example, in large breeds, molars appear by 36 weeks. But for small ones - only by the 11th month.
If the animal develops correctly, then by the year all its permanent teeth are cut out. They should be sharp, strong, and also have a white color, without yellowness.
Causes of molar loss
Did the dog have a tooth loss? Why is this happening? What reasons can lead to such consequences? Let's look at the main ones (naturally, we are not talking about the process of changing milk teeth):
- Gum inflamed. This problem occurs with improper oral hygiene. Also, the inflammatory process occurs after a mucosal injury. Each owner can independently examine the oral cavity. If there is inflammation, then the gums will be swollen and very red.
- The surface of the teeth is covered with a soft coating. It has either a green or brown tint. Appears in animals that do not have special hard toys and solid food. Lack of calcium, protein and fluoride also provokes its formation. Also, plaque can occur in dogs in which there is an excess of carbohydrates in the body. The consequences are loose teeth and gum disease.
- Tartar. This plaque is considered the most common reason why dogs lose their teeth. Stones form for a long time. As a rule, they appear due to the fact that a soft coating was not removed on time. Consist of food debris, bacteria that destroy tooth enamel, dead cells. Tartar can provoke an inflammatory process on the gums.
- Periodontitis. This disease is very difficult to diagnose. In the early stages, only an experienced veterinarian can do this. Pathology causes tooth loss, bleeding from the gums. Foci with pus may also form.
- Gingivitis. With this disease, inflammation of the skeletal system occurs. It extends to soft tissues. Loss of teeth and gum atrophy during this pathology indicates an advanced stage.
Symptoms
As mentioned above, if an adult dog lost a tooth, then this indicates some kind of violation. The fact is that such a problem does not occur in healthy individuals. Dog owners are advised to pay attention to certain symptoms that are a harbinger of tooth loss. Here are the main ones:
- An unpleasant smell is felt from the mouth.
- A dense coating or even a stone formed on the teeth.
- In some areas of the gums, the inflammatory process is clearly pronounced.
- The teeth began to stagger.
- Caries.
- The gums are bleeding.
- A large amount of saliva is formed.
- Stomatitis.
- Refusal of food or loss of appetite, for example, the pet does not eat solid food.
Even one of these symptoms should alert the dog owner. It is best to contact your veterinarian right away. It is important to remember that with timely diagnosis of the problem there is a high probability of saving all molars to the animal.
Diagnostics
Why do dogs lose their teeth? Above, all possible causes of this pathology have been described in detail. Based on this information, each owner, at the slightest suspicion, should immediately seek qualified help. At the consultation, the specialist will easily determine the cause of tooth loss. However, to make a diagnosis, he needs to know the pet’s lifestyle, his diet, general condition and, of course, the circumstances that made the owner worried. Remember, the animal will not be able to tell about itself, so the owner of the dog should do this.
After the conversation, the veterinarian must conduct an external examination of the pet. In order for the dog to not accidentally bite a doctor, an additional fixation method is used. After inspection, a decision is made on the delivery of tests. Only on the basis of them is a diagnosis made and treatment prescribed.
Treatment
What should a dog lose teeth? In no case do not hesitate with the treatment! The owners should know that it will not work to return the teeth that have already fallen out, but to stop this process is quite realistic. What will the therapy be? The following needs to be done:
- Change in diet. It will be necessary to adhere to the developed diet constantly, and not only during treatment.
- Take a course of drugs to get rid of the underlying disease, which caused tooth loss.
- Increase immunity by drinking vitamins.
- Clean plaque.
- Eliminate inflammation and bleeding.
- Strengthening loose teeth using fiberglass or dental wire.
Effects
Having figured out why dogs lose their teeth, it's worth talking about the consequences. Note that they are quite serious. If an adult animal loses at least two chewing teeth, this will lead to a deterioration in its condition. What pathologies can develop if a dog has an incomplete dentition? The main ones are listed below:
- Violations of the digestive tract.
- Severe painful cramps, because of which the pet will refuse food. A lack of nutrients will lead to poor health.
- Erase other teeth quickly.
- Offset of the bite.
Prevention
Every dog owner needs to know how to prevent molars from falling out in adults. Let's look at preventative measures:
- Regular examination of the dog’s mouth.
- Proper hygiene of the mouth with pastes and brushes.
- Make sure that the pet always has wiry toys. For large breeds, beef joints are suitable.
- Remove plaque in time.
- Dog diets should not consist solely of soft foods.
And finally: if the owner noticed a change in the behavior of the animal, do not hesitate to visit the veterinarian. In the early stages, coping with the disease is much easier than fighting complications later.