My cat has been sneezing and wheezing
when he is resting. He is eating and drinking
normally and I have been giving him antibiotic
shots for about two weeks but he doesn’t
seem to be improving.

Washington, DC

Several different problems can lead to sneezing and wheezing in cats. Sinus infections, allergies, viruses and foreign objects or growths in the nose are some of the most common culprits.

In Baxter’s case, I am wondering whether the inflamed tooth and the nasal symptoms may be related. The roots of the upper canine teeth lie very close to the nasal passages. If a canine tooth root becomes infected, it can cause a chronic sinus infection.

Although Baxter’s tooth does not seem to hurt him, inflamed or infected teeth and gums generally do cause pain. Some cats are very stoic, and do not show signs of dental pain. There is a chance that the tooth is hurting him even though he doesn’t act like it.

I think that taking X-rays of the tooth and the surrounding area is an excellent idea. X-rays will help to determine how severely damaged the tooth is, and whether it is contributing to Baxter’s wheezing and sneezing. This will help you and your vet make an informed decision about extraction of the tooth.

Be aware that if the tooth is not playing a role in Baxter’s troubles, the path ahead could be frustrating. Diagnosing chronic sinus problems often involves complex and expensive tests such as CT scanning, rhinoscopy (using a special instrument to visually examine the interior areas of the nose and sinuses) and biopsy.

Photo credit: Pascua Theus. Photo licensing information: click here.

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Hello. I am adopting a four- or five-year old Pomeranian who
was rescued from a puppy mill. They had to remove
her back teeth because of the owner not taking
care of her. When I went to visit her she came
right over and sat on my lap. I was wondering what is
the best diet for her to be on since she does not
have back teeth. I just want to make her life a
little better than it is now.
Thanks

Gerald
Lancaster Ohio

First, let me congratulate you on rescuing an animal that needed a home. Based on what you have described regarding your dog´s behavior, I suspect that she will make a very nice pet.

Before I answer your question about what to feed her, I would like to point out that the loss of your dog´s rear teeth does not by itself indicate that she has been neglected. Many factors play a role in the development of dental disease. These include home care, genetics, breed and diet. Pomeranians are very highly predisposed to dental problems, and there are plenty of well-cared-for, well-loved four-year-old Pomeranians living without rear teeth. They generally live comfortable, happy lives.

And there is more good news: most dogs and cats that have lost teeth can eat the same diets as those who have not. I know pets who happily gum down hard food even though they don´t have a single tooth in their mouth.

Because dry food is generally better for pets´ teeth than soft food, I recommend that you try a high-quality dry food for your dog first. If she has difficulty eating it, then you may have to try something softer (such as moistened kibble or a high-quality canned food).

In either case, remember that your new pet is at risk of developing more dental problems in the future. Brush her remaining teeth daily, and have a vet check her mouth once or twice each year.

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Hi Dr. Barchas,

Lexington, KY

I think you’re performing a wonderful service for your clients by brushing their dogs’ teeth. And, as you point out, you are contributing to the health, well-being, and longevity of the dogs you walk.

I am continuously surprised by how many people refuse to brush their pets’ teeth. Of course, I understand that it’s inconvenient. Nonetheless, dogs and cats need their teeth brushed for the exact same reasons that we brush our own teeth. Tooth brushing is incredibly beneficial for feline and canine health.

However, I’m afraid I can’t sign off on using the same tooth brush for all of the dogs that you walk. I realize that dogs sometimes eat garbage or other revolting and unmentionable substances, so it doesn’t seem like sharing a toothbrush between several of them would be a big deal. Nonetheless, there is a slight risk of spreading some viral and bacterial diseases between the dogs, even if you thoroughly rinse the brush between each pet.

If your clients absolutely refuse to buy tooth brushes for their dogs, you can try to find low-priced soft bristled human toothbrushes and buy them yourself. Human toothbrushes work fine for pets, and they may cost less than canine-specific brushes.

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We took our dog Toby (mixed Yorkie) to the vet
today to have his teeth cleaned. We had to leave
him for the day. They pulled 11 teeth–mostly all the
front ones.

Rosemary
Winder, PA

I certainly realize how shocking it can be to learn that your pet has lost such a large number of teeth. However, it is extremely unlikely that you have shortened Toby’s life through such extensive dental work. In fact, it is very likely that the opposite is true–he almost certainly will live longer as a result of the dental work.

That seems counterintuitive. After all, pets use their teeth and mouth for many functions that humans perform with our hands. So how can it be beneficial to lose teeth?

Of course, it is not beneficial to lose healthy teeth. However, vets don’t pull healthy teeth. In most cases, teeth that are extracted are so severely diseased that they no longer are functional. They may be too loose to be useful. They may be infected or have exposed nerves that cause intense pain. There is very little chance that Toby was using any of the teeth that were pulled. Therefore, the loss of the teeth should not interfere with his ability to eat or play ball.

Although Toby most certainly would have been better off keeping 11 healthy teeth, the extraction of 11 severely diseased teeth will benefit his health dramatically in the long run.

The key for the future is to try to prevent such serious disease from developing on other teeth. The best way to prevent dental disease in pets is to brush their teeth daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and veterinary toothpaste (don’t ever use human toothpaste). However, remember that heredity plays a role in dental disease. There is a chance that no matter how careful you are, Toby will need more dental work in the future.

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Dental disease is the most common major health problem that I identify in my patients. And studies have shown that my patients are not unique in that regard. Dental disease is endemic in pets.

Dental disease (also known as periodontal disease) has been associated with pain, heart problems, liver problems, diabetes, cancer, sinus infections, behavior changes and a host of other problems. Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to prevent dental disease, and I strongly encourage it.

All breeds of cats and dogs are at risk for dental disease, and all pets should undergo regular veterinary checkups to ensure that they are not suffering from dental disease or other medical conditions.

A recent analysis of patients seen at a large chain of veterinary hospitals (Banifield, The Pet Hospital®) led to a list of the ten breeds of dogs that are at highest risk for periodontal disease and its associated problems. The list was published in the January/February issue of Banfield® Magazine.

Here is the list: Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Pomeranian, Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Papillon, Standard Poodle, Dachshund and Havanese.

I should emphasize again that every dog and cat is at risk of dental disease. However, if your dog is on the above list, you may want to pay special attention to his or her oral health.

• Can Infected Teeth Cause Sneezing?
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