如何解决口气问题

晨光

我们要竭尽所能来把我们的参赛犬只完美地展现出来，这在竞争激烈的当下，是非常具有挑战性的。如今，许多来自其他国家和地区的审判员的不同偏好，又融合进了这个日趋激烈的比赛浪潮中。而这其中，牙齿的健康状况就尤为引人关注，许多审判员会对我们的参赛犬就牙齿状况来和欧洲的犬只进行比较，提出我们并没有象他们那样给予犬齿合理的护理。虽然我曾多次参加爱审判员们的午宴，也听过梗犬组别的繁殖者或审判员们讨论关注犬齿及咬合的目的和重要性，如果不注意这两个问题，那就很可能失去犬只的应用和繁殖价值。总的来说，就个人而言，我同意以上审判员的观点。事实上，我们确实没有对犬只口腔及相关结构组织给予良好的护理。我们中的许多年长的专业指导手的确很关注犬只牙齿的健康状况，因为他们认识到这是在参加任何比赛中，犬只健康及活力的最根本体现，尤其对于那些成年犬只，这一点甚为关键；犬齿及牙龈的健康与犬只的组别排位息息相关。



让我们先从小狗开始说起。幼犬的乳牙有28颗。而它们长到2到7个月的时候，这些乳牙就会换成42颗恒牙。有一些犬种的牙齿数量会少一些。就专业水平而言，这些会被认为是牙齿缺失，但通常这并不会影响最终的评判。犬齿分为四类，各部分功能不同，各司其职。上下各六颗门牙是用来抓住食物的，并能帮助嘴巴“关住”舌头。位于门牙旁边的就是2颗上犬齿和2颗下犬齿，它们是用于撕裂食物的，而且和门齿一样，可以把舌头“关起来”。再接下来是8颗前臼齿——上面四颗，下面四颗——它们的作用是咀嚼研磨食物。最后，就是10颗臼齿了，这些是用于对付那些体积大的食物的，同样也负责最后的食物研磨工作。这部分牙齿将食物与唾液混合，以增强食物进入机体后的消化过程。犬只的口腔内部被图解为上额及下额，每一个部分又对半分，所以整个结构就由四个部分所组成。每个部分都以数字来标识，这样一来，犬只牙齿的健康状况就能延续记录下去。下面所示的图标就是编号系统，这是以具恒齿列的猪为例，适用于所有物种。




造成犬只口腔问题的原因有很多，但其中多数的原因不外乎一到三种。首先是先天因素，或者说是发育障碍所致，其次是因意外引起的个别牙齿或是颚部的损伤，第三种则是由于牙周疾病所造成的。本文所要重点关注的就是最后一点情况，这能有利于犬主以正确的方式护理他们宠物的牙齿，无论它是种犬，展示犬，赛级犬，工作犬还是家庭宠物级犬。

引起犬只免疫系统损害的其中一个重要原因，就是由口腔内有害细菌的滋生所导致的不健康状况的加剧。这类细菌控制了唾液PH值的改变，并侵害犬类口腔内的有益菌。唾液因此变稠，这就有利于形成因钙盐，食物，毛发或细菌引起的珐琅质。这些沉积物不仅容易造成牙龈发炎及肿胀，而且牙碎石（牙结石）就像是一把锋利的剃刀切开了牙龈线，使得牙龈后推，破坏了“游离龈”（指牙龈边缘不与牙面附着的部分，它游离可动，呈连续的半月形弯曲，其色泽较附着龈稍红）和“游离牙龈沟”（通常我们称之为龈线，是游离龈和牙面之间的一个环状狭小的空隙）的密封保护作用，而它们正是保护牙齿、牙根乃至骨骼系统免受细菌侵蚀及破坏的关键。就像人类一样，龈线的正常深度为0.5到3mm，但当深度超过3mm时，则被视为牙齿疾患的前兆，并可进一步引起牙齿疾病。

如果你想要列出牙周病的症状，那将会是很长的一串，而面对这些症状，最明智的方法就是咨询您的犬类健康专家，因为大多数会因为潜在疾病而复发。以下是比较常见病症的集合：牙龈出血，口臭，唾液过多或过稠，咀嚼时有疼痛感，头部歪斜致使靠一边牙齿进行咀嚼，过度气喘，舌头肿大，运动病（因异常运动刺激而引起的自主神经系统功能失调性疾病），食欲减退或是体重下降等。你可能对上述所列的病症有些熟悉。而你或许不知道其他的一些症状有可能导致一系列慢性炎症疾病，例如耳部感染，听力丧失，头痛，膝盖或关节疼痛，还有嗜睡。

每次犬只进食的时候，由咀嚼产生的细菌和毒素会被带入到胃肠部分。当菌群数量超出消化系统的承载能力，就会导致腹泻，并造成尾根部褪色变成粉红色。这也可能是引起肠易激综合症或某种形式的胃肠道疾病的潜在因素。

每当犬只吸气的时候，会将同样的细菌和毒素带入肺部，从而对抵御细菌入侵的免疫系统造成慢性伤害。嗅觉能力的提升有助于促进犬只的食欲，但过度的使用鼻窦也会对嗅觉系统造成损伤。

如果一段时间都未被发现并医治，那么这就可能导致心脏瓣膜或其他重要器官的损伤，例如肝脏或者肾脏。一旦内脏器官受损，那么犬只的抗感染能力就会下降，更不用说进行良好的繁殖了。

造成犬只患有牙周疾病的原因有很多，比如像牙齿错位，但是也还是有点办法来缓解排列不齐的牙齿上形成的牙结石，而其中牙线就是一个比较好的方法。不过这确实需要时间和耐心来完成这项工作。你可以将牙线放在对偏严重的牙齿中间拉动。（对于赛级犬，尤其是那些玩具组别，可等到参加竞标赛时再进行。）

喂食隔夜的食物，哪怕它是放冰箱冷藏存放的，有可能是最快在口腔中形成牙垢的。在犬只将这样的食物送入口中的那一刻起，就开始分泌带细菌的唾液，而这些隔夜食物中的细菌已经滋生了一整夜。曾有家赛级犬舍有这样的喂食习惯，但略有不同的是，他们是将所有犬只的食物都放在同一个碗中，当给7个月大的幼犬重新喂食与那些患有严重牙周疾病的成犬同样的狗粮时，他们仍然无法弄清楚为什么这些幼犬的牙结石比例会如此之高，并且也没有办法解释在这个年纪就会早早出现牙龈感染问题。

另外，引用水不经常更换，食用碗不定期做消毒，不仅会加快细菌的滋生，还会使你想要清楚的牙垢问题再度复发。可能你会认为这些是有效便捷的处理方法，但是对于那些日常工作极为繁杂的犬舍来说，并不是件轻松容易的事情。所以我推荐去购买那些普通食用碗两倍大的容器（即有左右两格的那种），可以在一边的底部标蓝色，在另一边标红色，上午的时候，将饮用水置入蓝色部分，下午则放在红色部分。这样你一看颜色就能区分开来了。（同样的做法也可以适用于喂食食物）

预防牙周炎的最佳方法就是定期给你的犬刷牙，并用放大镜或是用足够亮度的光源设备来检查是否有牙垢或牙结石。你所要查看的就是牙垢的颜色，一般说来变化区间从白色，黄色，棕色，橘黄色，棕色到黑色。接下来要做的就是对牙垢清洁做一个详细的计划安排。

根据犬种不同，专业清洁可分为每年一次到每年四次不等。体型较小的犬种，无论其年龄大小，每年至少做两次牙齿清洁。而对于大型犬来说，每年做一次即可。在所有犬种中，由于细菌数量及种类会随年龄增哒而增多，因此犬只年龄越大，清洗次数就越要增加。

牙齿清洁的方法基本上有两种可供选择。一种是手工清洁，另一种是使用超声波清洗机。而而你另外可以做的选择就是决定你的犬只是在麻醉还是不麻醉的状态下进行牙齿清洁。如果你拥有一名资质过硬的专家，那么决定怎么做都可以。

在牙齿清洁过程中发生意外的状况相对较少，但是你还是要知道这其中风险及益处。如果操作人员经验不足，或是设备运行发生故障，可能会出现人为损伤珐琅质，或是使用超声波清洗机时，仪器难以进入牙齿咬合处较小的地方。另外一些鲜为人知的是，一个缺乏经验的超声波仪操作员可能在清洗过程中由于方法过当，而破坏牙髓，最终致使整颗牙齿坏死。至于麻醉问题，在现代麻醉药的帮助下，哪怕是只老年犬，你也可以在清洁牙齿过程中运用这个方法。而就麻醉问题要关注的是它可能会对被毛有所影响，这确实是一个值得注意的问题，所以时间决定一切。另外，请务必检查您犬只的麻醉反应情况。

还有一件必须谨记的事是切勿在母犬热循环周期时做牙齿清洁，因为这样会让细菌有机可趁，从而进入生殖系统。正确的做法是，在母犬的PH值发生改变或是发情期间恢复能力发生变化前至少2周进行牙齿清洁。同样，为了不让大量细菌进入母犬的生殖系统，也不建议在繁殖期或孕期进行牙齿护理。在母犬产下幼仔后，除非小狗完全断奶，而母犬本身乳腺恢复正常水平，否则仍然不推荐进行清洁。

就其他犬只而言，例如种公，在交配前天或是两天前也不建议清洗其口腔，因为此时犬只的心脏正处于高度兴奋状态，很容易将细菌带入心脏瓣膜。而幼犬同样不适合在比赛前进行牙齿清洁，这并非出于健康问题的考虑，而是在于幼犬对操作人员的手进入它们口腔时的反应。在审判员对犬只口腔进行检查时，他们可不希望看到犬只有什么不情愿的表现。你的犬类保健人员可能在清洁前后，会对你的年老犬使用一些天数的抗生素类药物，这是为了保护它的心脏和其他内脏器官免受过多细菌的侵害。如果你自行进行口腔护理，请千万不要拉动已松动的牙齿。只要一颗牙齿开始喷血，就会出现问题了。既然你可能不是一个兽医，你就不会有消毒设备，所以建议最好还是去急诊所。

最低限度，相对于持续性治疗及对你的犬只造成永久性损伤的代价来说，牙齿清洁的花费是比较低廉的。正如电视广告上说的：“多脏的嘴巴呀，赶紧清理下吧！！！”

牙科医疗的费用额度因地域不同而有所差别，所以请留意周围所有可供选择的地方，找一个悉心专业的医生或是一家声誉良好的诊所吧。

晨光

原文

Our exhibits need to be as perfect as we can help them to be and in today’s competitive environment this can be very challenging. We have now added to the competitive mix a new influx of judges from other countries with a different set of preferences. Teeth seem to be at the front of their list as many have commented on our exhibits not having the same consideration of care as their European counterparts. Although I have sat at many of our Judges luncheons’ and listened to terrier Breeder/Judges discuss the purpose of teeth and bite and how without it you lose the use of the dog for its intended purpose as a breed. In general I, for one, would have to agree with all of the above-mentioned Judges in the fact that we do not give the mouth and its associated structures the top priority in care. Many of our older professional handlers do take better care of the teeth realizing that it is the beginning of health and vitality in any exhibit, but especially as a dog matures; the healthier the teeth and gums is in direct correlation to the energy level of the dog.
Starting with the puppy, with the first milk teeth having 28 deciduous (baby) teeth. Those are replaced by 42 permanent teeth between the ages of 2 and 7 months. There are a few breeds that seem to have less than a full mouth. As far as the professional is concerned, those are considered missing teeth in the count, as those breeds do not usually discriminate on which teeth are not present. The teeth work in four groups with specialized function. Incisors with 6 upper and 6 lower that have the function of grasping as well as helping to “cage the tongue in the mouth”. Next you have 2 upper and 2 lower canines used for tearing and also for “caging the tongue in the mouth”. Eight premolars are next - 4 top and 4 bottom - used for grinding. Finally, there are 10 Molars that are used for the larger and final grind, mixing the food with saliva to enhance the process of digestion. The mouth of the dog is then diagramed out into the UPPER JAW and the LOWER JAW, each then divided into halves so that the whole mouth has now 4 quadrants. Each quadrant then numbers each individual tooth so that the health records will stay consistent from one professional to another. Below is a diagram showing the numbering system, which is based on the permanent dentition of the pig, and used for all species
There is a range of reasons that will corrupt the integrity of the mouth; most of them will fall into one or more of three main categories. They are Congenital or Developmental Disorders, the second group would be Accidents that can compromise the individual tooth or jawbone, and the third would be Periodontal Disease. It is in this last category that we will focus as it is the one area that any dog owner can help care for the well-being of their pet, regardless of it being breeding stock, show dog, competition, service dog or the family pet.
One of the leading causes that can compromise the immune system of the dog is the constant aggravation of unhealthy levels of bad bacteria. This bacteria takes hold from a change of PH in the saliva allowing the bad bacteria to move out of its checked position and overrunning the good bacteria within the dog mouth. The saliva thickens and helps create a buildup of calcium salts, food, hair, and bacteria on the enamel of the teeth. The deposits not only put pressure on the gums causing inflammation and swelling but the debris (calculus) actually has a razor blade effect as it cuts away at the gum line, pushing the gums back, breaking the protective seal that the “free gingiva” and the “free gingival sulcus” (commonly called the gum line) provide in order to protect the tooth and root as well as the bone system that supports all of the structures from bacterial invasion and damage. Just as in humans, the reduction of the gum line around the tooth of more than 3mm is considered the predisposal to the loss of the tooth and further disease.
When looking for symptoms of Periodontal Disease the list is long and with all symptoms that persist it is always wise to consult your health professional as many symptoms duplicate for different underlying maladies. Here are a few you can look for: bleeding gums, foul breath, excessive and thick salivation, painful chewing, tilted head so as to chew on the one side, excessive panting, swollen tongue, motion sickness and loss of appetite or weight. You are probably familiar with the symptoms listed above. Other symptoms that you may not be aware of that are associated with gum disease can cause a host of chronic inflammatory diseases such as ear infections, loss of hearing, headaches, knee pain and/or joint soreness, and lethargy.
Every time the dog eats, it consumes bacteria and their toxins by swallowing into the stomach and intestines. When the digestive system gets overloaded you see the results in diarrhea, passing of gas and frequently you will see the annus up to the root of the tail stained pink with bacteria. This could even be one of the underlying causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and/or a form of colitis or other gastrointestinal diseases.

Every time the dog inhales, it is taking in to the lungs the same bacteria and toxins, causing chronic stimulation to the immune system that is trying to overcome the invasion of bacteria. As well as overworking the sinus cavities to the point of the ability to smell, which is what helps to stimulate appetite.
Over a period of time, gone unchecked, it can cause the heart valves to be diseased as well as other vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. Any of the organs being afflicted will lower the dogs’ ability to fight infection, have energy, let alone be a good producer of the next generation.
There are many contributing factors of Periodontal Disease in dogs, such as misaligned teeth although there are a few things that you can do to change the calculus build up of poor alignment of teeth, such as flossing your dogs’ teeth. Yes it takes training and patience to do that. You can pull overcrowded misaligned teeth (if they are show dogs - particularly in the toy group - wait until they have their Championship).
Re-feeding of yesterday’s food, even if it has been refrigerated, is perhaps the quickest way to build tartar in the mouth, the minute the dog has put their mouth on the food it places saliva loaded with bacteria and it grows overnight in the leftover food. There was a show kennel that made a habit of this, but placed all of the dogs’ food in the same bowl, upon re-serving the 7-month-old puppies got the same food as the adults that had severe Periodontal Disease and they could not figure out why the puppies had such high levels of calculus and inflamed gums for their age.
Water that is not changed out frequently and the bowls not sanitized regularly will have a higher level of bacteria, re-infecting what you are trying to clean out. You would think that this is a quick fix, but with the busy nature of a show kennel it is just not that easy. So I recommended that they buy twice the needed bowls, but to paint the bottoms blue on one set and red on the other, pick up all the AM blue bowls and put down all the PM red bowls with fresh water. Then you have a visual of what color is down at a glance (we ended up doing the same for the meal bowls).
The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to brush your dogs’ teeth regularly and to visually check with magnifying glasses and great lighting for any type of tartar or calculus. What you are visually looking for are any of the colors that exist in tartar and there is a broad range of the color palate from white-yellow-orange-brown and black. Then schedule an appointment to have them professionally cleaned.
Depending upon the dog, once a year to four times each year they need to have professional cleaning. The smaller breeds need their teeth professional cleaned at least twice each year regardless of their age. Whereas the larger breeds seem to do well with once each year. In all breeds, the older the dog the more often you will need to clean their teeth since with age the types of bacteria, as well as the amount, increases.
There are basically two types of dental cleanings available to you. One is by hand scaling the teeth and the other is by using an ultrasonic cleaner. The other option that you have is to have your dog under anesthesia or without anesthesia. If you have a qualified professional, any of the above would be good.
Things that could go wrong in dental cleaning are few but you should be made aware of the risks as well as the rewards. If the person is not experienced or their equipment is not managed well, you could mar the enamel with hand scraping and getting into the smaller occlusions of the tooth is more difficult than with the ultrasonic cleaner. The other little known issue is that in an inexperienced operator of the ultrasonic cleaner could over heat the tooth itself while cleaning and may cause pulp necrosis, ultimately killing the whole tooth. As far as anesthesia, with the modern anesthetics that we have available even in an older dog you should not have any fear of having the cleaning done. The other concern with anesthetics is that it could blow the show coat, and this is a true concern, so timing is everything. Be sure to check your breed’s reaction to anesthesia.
One of the things you do not want to embark upon is having teeth done on a female during her time of cycling as it opens her up for a large dose of bacteria to go through the reproductive system. You should always clean the teeth at least 2 weeks before as her PH changes and her ability to heal changes during the estrus cycle. The same thing goes for when you have bred her and she is having puppies, as you do not need the circulation of large amounts of bacteria going through her system. After she has had the puppies, you still do not want to clean her teeth until she has not only weaned off the puppies but that her mammary glands have completely dried up.
As far as any other dogs go, it is not wise to clean a stud dog’s mouth the day or two before breeding as the heart is worked at a greater level during breeding and that could push bacteria to the heart that could settle in the valves. Puppies should not have their teeth cleaned before going into the ring, not for health reasons, just the association of someone in their mouth, and the judge may not appreciate your puppy’s reaction to their mouth examination. Your health care provider may want to put your older dogs on an antibiotic for several days before and after dental work is performed as this protects the heart and other organs from the overload of bacteria. If you do your own dental cleaning, never make the mistake of pulling your own loose teeth. It only takes one tooth to start gushing blood to have a problem. Since you more than likely are not a vet, you will not have the equipment available to cauterize it and you will be taking a trip to the emergency room.
The bottom line is the cost of cleaning teeth is considered inexpensive in comparison to the cost of ongoing medical care and perhaps the permanent loss of health in your dog. As the commercial on TV says “DIRTY MOUTH, CLEAN IT UP!!!”
The cost for dental work is very broad and different around the country so do check around for all your options, but go with someone who is really dedicated and has a reputation for sound work.

菲妹

偶一直想给三宝洗牙。看样子不能再托词了，年底一定要有个了断。