Orozyme Oral Hygiene Gel, an enzymatic toothpaste with a unique multi-enzyme formula to suppress plaque, has been added to Animalcare’s companion animal product range. With its low abrasive, non-foaming formula and tasty malt flavour, Orozyme Oral Hygiene Gel plays a key role in an effective preventative dental health regime.
Dental disease is one of the most commonly seen conditions in practice with more than 80 percent of dogs over the age of three reported to suffer from it to some extent (Dental home care in dogs – a questionnaire study among Swedish dog owners, veterinarians and veterinary nurses). It can become a particular problem in older dogs if their teeth have not been looked after. Because few dogs show obvious signs, dental disease can go untreated causing significant pain and potentially systemic disease. Educating owners on dental disease and how to prevent it is therefore a major opportunity both for practices to improve the welfare of their patients and to strengthen their bond with owners.
To coincide with the addition of Orozyme to its range, Animalcare has conducted research about the dental care of canine and feline patients among 60 practices with the results highlighting the potential for a more proactive approach to dental care. While 48 percent of those questioned opened discussions on dental care with owners at the time of a puppy’s vaccinations and 8 percent when it was six months old, 28 percent did not discuss it until the dog was a year old, and 16 percent only discussed dental care if the dog developed a dental problem. More than half of respondents (52 percent) also admitted that they did not follow up discussions on dental compliance (Research summary available from Animalcare on request).
Eleanor Workman Wright, Product Manager at Animalcare, said: “The key to successful dental care is to start early, both in educating owners and getting puppies and kittens used to brushing or other forms of dental care. If discussions are delayed until the animal is a year old, it is possible that some disease may already be present while the animal may be less receptive to brushing or other efforts to care for their teeth.
“We see the dental sector as important and one that is likely to grow, particularly in the light of the pandemic-induced increase in the number of dogs and cats. We hope that our new Owner Guide will support veterinary teams in initiating early discussions with owners about the importance of dental care, while the addition of an affordable and effective oral gel in Orozyme, to our range will give them a key tool to offer to owners to use as part of their homecare routine.”
For more information, or to place an order for Orozyme and the Owner Guide, practices are asked to contact their Animalcare Territory Manager or go to the website.
