Dental Care

We all know the importance in regular dental care – we brush our teeth at least twice a day and if we don’t, plaque, tartar and other tooth diseases will soon result.  Our pets are no different.

Symptoms of dental disease may include bad breath, reddened gums, and buildup of yellow or brown tartar along the gum line.  Your ferret may show changes in chewing or eating patterns and may paw his mouth.  As infection and inflammation progresses, periodontitis may result – this is irreversible and may lead to the loss of the tooth.  As oral bacteria can be released into the bloodstream, dental disease can also result in heart, kidney, liver and lung disease.  As our pets are living longer compared to their wild relatives, maintaining good dental health is very important towards them leading healthy, happy lives.

We advise regular dental checks – the annual health check or vaccination check-up is the ideal time to assess for any early problems.

Ferrets are also at risk of breaking their canine teeth.   Most ferrets are very inquisitive and love to bite on things, and jump around.

Broken teeth need treatment otherwise they hurt and can develop abscesses.

Your vet can advise you on how to keep your ferret’s teeth clean and if a dental cleaning is required.  Plaque and tartar is removed by using an ultrasonic scaler, and the teeth are polished afterwards.  We check for any loose or damaged teeth which may need to be extracted.  The dental procedure is carried out under a full general anaesthetic, as no awake ferret will let us do a thorough cleaning!

Your vet may advise pre-anaesthetic blood tests, and your pet may require antibiotics prior to the dental cleaning or have to go home on some medications afterwards.

Home care is important to prevent development of dental disease.

Young kits should have their mouths handled from an early age, to get them used to the idea oftoothbrushing.

Even older animals, if introduced slowly and patiently, can be taught to accept having their teeth brushed.

Never use human toothpaste as this can cause foaming, and ferrets do not like the minty taste. Dog or cat toothpaste is suitable

If performed daily, tooth-brushing can prevent plaque formation, gingivitis and periodontal disease, saving your ferret from pain and reducing the cost of future dental care.  Please see our online video on tooth-brushing techniques.

If your ferret won’t tolerate tooth-brushing, there are other methods which may help to maintain a healthy mouth.

• Special diets are available which can help clean the teeth while he eats.  Some have been created to help reduce plaque and tartar formation.  Please ask your vet for more information about the different types of diet available and which best suits your ferret’s needs.
• Dental treats – some chews are marketed to be a part of dental health care, but not all are created equal.  For information on which products are most effective, check out the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOCH) website.  Remember that these treats may contribute towards weight gain, and always be around to supervise your pet when giving chews.
• Dental sprays – some of these can be sprayed into the mouth or added into the drinking water as an anti-plaque wash.
• Toys  – some chew toys will help to reduce the plaque and tartar if your pet will actually chew them 

We have all the products you need to be able to perform effective home care in our Pet Product Shop so please come in and discuss further with our staff if necessary.