Teeth and oral cavity diseases in young dogs and cats

It is a common belief that oral and dental problems pertain to elderly animials. However, juvenile patients may experience serious maladies which can cause significant pain, soft tissue injuries, and uncomfortable bite. Young dogs and cats should be thoroughly examined in order for the veterinarian to identify and appropriately treat possible malformations. Because the deciduous teeth are replaced quickly, many problems the animals experience are misunderstood, overlooked or disregarded. Other, congenital conditions may be lethal to the newborn or carry a good prognosis if managed appropriately Moreover, many developmental anomalies may be genetic and inherited to their offsprings. In such cases, apart from addressing the specific problem, care should be taken in order to withdraw the affected animal from the breeding pool. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential in order to avoid any possible detrimental effects on the adult animal and their offsprings.