Bichon Frisé – Dental and eye care
People and dogs have more in common than one might originally think. To keep their teeth and gums healthy and to prevent periodontal disease, the Bichon Frize requires routine dental care, just like you. Starting dental care when your Bichon Frize is young can help prevent gingivitis, a buildup of plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to much more serious health problems. Checking your Bichon Frize for tartar at a young age can help prevent many more serious dental problems from occurring.
It is very easy to examine your Bichon for signs of tooth decay. Simply lift your lip and look inside your mouth, paying special attention to your teeth and gums. When the teeth have a reddish-brown discoloration near the gums, it is an indication of plaque. Over time, tartar begins to build up and your Bichon Frize’s gums begin to become red and swollen, instead of their normal, healthy pink color. Infection, bad breath, gingivitis, tooth loss, or damage to the jaw bone can result when dental care is not provided to your dog. As well as being uncomfortable and painful, it is highly unhealthy for your Bichon Frize to miss out on dental care.
The main method of preventing or delaying dental problems is to brush your Bichon’s teeth regularly. Starting this routine at a young age with your dog will increase the ease of the process when he gets older. To get your dog used to having his teeth brushed, start by gently rubbing your Bichon Frize’s gums and front teeth with your fingers, using a small amount of dog toothpaste. Pet companies have made getting your Bichon Frize to enjoy toothpaste an easy task: there are many flavors on the market, including chocolate, chicken, lamb, and others. A pleased dog is more likely to cooperate when having its teeth brushed. Once your dog gets used to your finger, switch to a small, rounded, soft toothbrush for children or dogs. Start with just the front teeth; As your pet becomes more comfortable, work backwards until all of his teeth are brushed. Just like humans, it’s important to brush your dog’s teeth in an up and down motion. The pet market has a wide variety of dental chews to help prevent calculus and plaque buildup on your Bichon Frize’s teeth.
Annual dental checkups are important for your Bichon. If you suspect a problem, you should see your vet right away. A cleanup may be in order for your dog. This is simply a painless procedure performed by the veterinarian while your pet is under general anesthesia or while sedated.
Eye care is just as important as dental care when it comes to your Bichon Frize. A common problem is tear staining. These reddish-brown spots appear around your pet’s eyes and can be very unattractive. If the staining is excessive, your veterinarian should be consulted. Although a small amount of staining is normal, excessive staining can indicate blocked tear ducts, allergies, or dental problems. Ruling out these potential problems or treating them is important for your Bichon’s health. Also, routinely cleaning your dog’s eyes with a warm damp cloth as part of the daily grooming routine will help reduce staining. Remove any debris from the corners of your dog’s eyes and keep trimmed fur away from his eyes. Keeping these irritants at bay can prevent more serious eye problems. The grooming section of your local pet store will likely carry several products to help you reduce or eliminate eye staining. Try using one of these products or mix some boric acid with warm water until you find a solution that works for you and your Bichon Frize.