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Well, being my typical self, I've left the most important thing for last. I'm making my term paper at the last minute, and I would like some imput on what I have so far. This is the bulk of my paper. I will also talk about the causes and prevention in addition to what I have here.

Many dog and cat owners are faced with an often overlooked threat to their pet’s health. Periodontal disease is a very common disease that can result in a shortened and painful life. 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of 3 years have periodontal disease (Clinical, 872). This can be detrimental to the pet-owner relationship as dogs are no longer able to “give kisses” and cats are not able to nuzzle close to the owners face as the stench coming from the animal’s mouth can be unbearable. Fortunately there is prevention from such a fate.
Periodontitis is the inflammation of the gum tissue that surrounds the tooth. Periodontitis comes from the Greek words peri (around), odous (tooth), and itis (inflammation) (Dorland’s, 1404). It is the most common disease of both humans and animals, and it is caused by plaque. Plaque is a white, slippery buildup that collects where the crown and gum line meet; the gingival sulcus. The plaque is created by food, debris, saliva, dead cells, and bacteria, and over time will into a dental calculus. Dental calculus’ look like a yellow to brown deposit that rests on the tooth. As time goes on, it will release bacterial endotoxins that damage the gingival tissue (Clinical, 872). The body reacts by sending a multitude of white blood cells. This results in gum and bone loss (AAHA). The bone loss is permanent, and is termed Periodontitis (Clinical, 872).

There are five grades that periodontal disease follows. Each stage has different treatments based on the severity of the disease. Grade one periodontal disease is early gingivitis. There is a mild tartar buildup and inflammation of the gums, which is indicated by redness along the gum line. This stage is not severe, and can be treated at home. Special diets, brushing teeth, and dental chew toys can help to reverse the gingivitis. An annual dental work is also recommended (AAHA).

Grade two periodontal disease is advanced gingivitis. Obvious swollen gums around the teeth and plaque under the gum line are the common symptoms. This is the beginning of long term gum disease. Annual professional dental work and curettage (the removal diseased gum tissue and debris (Dorland’s, 451)) will help to stop tartar formation and influence healthy gum growth. This should also be followed up with home care (AAHA).

Grade three periodontal disease is the beginning of Periodontitis. Pockets begin to form, gums have greatly swollen, there is chronic inflammation, and infection begins to set in. Grade three is the first stage of permanent bone loss. Bacteria have become so predominant that antibiotic therapy is recommended for at least three days before the dental procedure. Dental work is recommended soon to remove tartar and to flush out any pockets. In additional, curettage, gum surgery, and annual dental work are highly recommended, along with following up with home care. (AAHA)

Grade four periodontal disease is a moderate form of Periodontitis. There is slight mobility of teeth, deep pocket formation, severe chronic infection and inflammation of the gums, the root surface has been exposed by the gum decay, tartar has built up in excessive amounts, and bacterial infection causes foul odors. Radiographs are recommended to see the degree of bone decay, which may be as much as 25%. This stage can also result in bacterial infections in the rest of the body. An immediate dental work is needed along with dental work at least annually. Also recommended is curettage, gum surgery, and perioceutic gel (a slow release antibiotic gel) for pockets over 3mm deep. Any teeth that are not healthy enough to keep should be extracted. Specialized home care will be needed for the animal (AAHA).

Grade five periodontal disease is the advanced stages of Periodontitis. There is advanced tooth movement, highly advanced bone loss, extreme infection of bone structures. Radiographs are needed to determine how severe the bone loss is. It can be so far gone that dental surgery can fracture the bone structures. Gum tissue is greatly infected and has become a health risk to the whole animal. Immediate work with antibiotic therapy prior is needed. Professional work will be needed at least every six months. Gum surgery will also be needed to save healthy teeth, if any are left. Home care is a must. Care after every meal is highly recommended (AAHA).

Edited for clarity

Last edited by Racso at 01-Dec-2005 18:34

*points and laughs*


sorry that wasnt helpful was it

your font and background are hard to read though, might get more help if it was eaiser on the eyes . *hands racso a fuzzy pink bear to take to class* that'll help if you dont finish your paper on time *nods pepperly*.

^_^[hr width='40%'][/font]

Many dog and cat owners are faced with an often overlooked threat to their pet’s health. Periodontal disease is a very common disease that can result in a shortened and painful life. 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of 3 years have periodontal disease (Clinical, 872). This can be detrimental to the pet-owner relationship as dogs are no longer able to “give kisses” and cats are not able to nuzzle close to the owners face as the stench coming from the animal’s mouth can be unbearable. Fortunately there is prevention from such a fate.
Periodontitis is the inflammation of the gum tissue that surrounds the tooth. Periodontitis comes from the Greek words peri (around), odous (tooth), and itis (inflammation) (Dorland’s, 1404). It is the most common disease of both humans and animals, and it is caused by plaque. Plaque is a white, slippery buildup that collects where the crown and gum line meet; the gingival sulcus. The plaque is created by food, debris, saliva, dead cells, and bacteria, and over time will into a dental calculus. Dental calculus’ look like a yellow to brown deposit that rests on the tooth. As time goes on, it will release bacterial endotoxins that damage the gingival tissue (Clinical, 872). The body reacts by sending a multitude of white blood cells. This results in gum and bone loss (AAHA). The bone loss is permanent, and is termed Periodontitis (Clinical, 872).

There are five grades that periodontal disease follows. Each stage has different treatments based on the severity of the disease. Grade one periodontal disease is early gingivitis. There is a mild tartar buildup and inflammation of the gums, which is indicated by redness along the gum line. This stage is not severe, and can be treated at home. Special diets, brushing teeth, and dental chew toys can help to reverse the gingivitis. An annual dental work is also recommended (AAHA).

Grade two periodontal disease is advanced gingivitis. Obvious swollen gums around the teeth and plaque under the gum line are the common symptoms. This is the beginning of long term gum disease. Annual professional dental work and curettage (the removal diseased gum tissue and debris (Dorland’s, 451)) will help to stop tartar formation and influence healthy gum growth. This should also be followed up with home care (AAHA).

Grade three periodontal disease is the beginning of Periodontitis. Pockets begin to form, gums have greatly swollen, there is chronic inflammation, and infection begins to set in. Grade three is the first stage of permanent bone loss. Bacteria have become so predominant that antibiotic therapy is recommended for at least three days before the dental procedure. Dental work is recommended soon to remove tartar and to flush out any pockets. In additional, curettage, gum surgery, and annual dental work are highly recommended, along with following up with home care. (AAHA)

Grade four periodontal disease is a moderate form of Periodontitis. There is slight mobility of teeth, deep pocket formation, severe chronic infection and inflammation of the gums, the root surface has been exposed by the gum decay, tartar has built up in excessive amounts, and bacterial infection causes foul odors. Radiographs are recommended to see the degree of bone decay, which may be as much as 25%. This stage can also result in bacterial infections in the rest of the body. An immediate dental work is needed along with dental work at least annually. Also recommended is curettage, gum surgery, and perioceutic gel (a slow release antibiotic gel) for pockets over 3mm deep. Any teeth that are not healthy enough to keep should be extracted. Specialized home care will be needed for the animal (AAHA).

Grade five periodontal disease is the advanced stages of Periodontitis. There is advanced tooth movement, highly advanced bone loss, extreme infection of bone structures. Radiographs are needed to determine how severe the bone loss is. It can be so far gone that dental surgery can fracture the bone structures. Gum tissue is greatly infected and has become a health risk to the whole animal. Immediate work with antibiotic therapy prior is needed. Professional work will be needed at least every six months. Gum surgery will also be needed to save healthy teeth, if any are left. Home care is a must. Care after every meal is highly recommended (AAHA).

So far, apart from minor tidying up around the edges, looks good to me. But then I'm not taking a vet tech exam. However, I have shared living space with med students in my university days, and number several scientific professionals among my current associates (for whom I write technical documentaiton on a pro bono basis, no less!), so I think I'm in a position to comment.

However, you've cited sources, which presumably confirm your statements, you've presented a well-structured chain of diagnoses, along with appropriate interventions, which certainly looks like a decently planned writeup to me even if by your own admission it is 'last minute'. Of course, what would have added extra sparkle to it (though as a 'last minute' paper, this might be beyond your remit now) would have been a spot of research followed by the injection of a few words on the state of the art in vet dental care (again, with sources), which would have propelled your paper a little closer to "A" territory. Usually, if there's one thing that gets good grades, it's a demonstration that you've done some reading around the subject, found something interesting and cited some hot new work in thr field - especially if that 'hot new work' happens to dovetail with something being done by someone in the department!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Thanks for the info.

The reason I left it to last minute is because 1) i'm lazy like that and 2) the Prof was so vauge about the topic that there really isn't any "over the top"ness to it. He basically said write a term paper about anything veterinary related. He gave us some things we couldn't couldn't write about, but other than that, nothing else.

Also, this is my first draft. When I posted this part, I am still working on the first draft.

*gets back to work*

Hi,
While I'm seeing this too late, I would probably change the first sentence to:

"Many Dog and Cat owners are faced with an often overlooked
threat to their pets health, Periodontal Disease.

This disease is a very common disease....."

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 02-Dec-2005 10:41

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Perhaps a small addition as to the initial causes of periodontal disease, perhaps specifically on the prevention of early occurrance being that most causal factors will be dietary.Any stats on amino acid/sugar/bacterial balance in the mouth taken from swab samples? Any complicitious identified bacterial cultures? That way you'll have data from which to choose an effective antibiotic. Perhaps something on the necessity of doing suitable checkups as a regular recommended protocol rather than waiting for it to advance beyond gingivitis? Any further protocols for dealing with septacaemia in advanced cases, or possible gastrointestinal complications, like usage of probiotics after surgery and the use of antibiotics?



Lets face it, toothbrushing animals is never gonna catch on for most people...


Last edited by longhairedgit at 02-Dec-2005 11:11

I could have done a lot more, but the problem is citing. There was a lot of stuff I know, and could put, but was not common knowledge and I did not have any refrence...

That vetinary students cant get good reference material is a bit of a worry. Mind you the colleges I went to sucked as well.

I didnt bother to become a vet (monetary issues at the time) but some of the modules I did take were identical to others that young vets to be were taking. Noticeably I was working in animal rescue and doing the courses part time, and I finished one part in 2 months, and the vets all dragged it out for an entire year and I got better marks than they did! I think to be honest it was my having the fieldwork that made the difference. Having to help treat up to 7500 animals a year was probably more educational than the courses that were offered. It was great for a while though, cos they has reptiles , fish and amphibians and the science lab assistant quit, so I got to look after the animals for 6 months , and they gave me a budget to refurbish all the cages. It was a great experience.

It was quite scary for a bit though, cos my herpetological studies had to be sent away, nobody at the college was qualified to mark them! I was thinking "OMG, these people are training vets and theyre not qualified to mark my papers!!!" .

Must come as a bit of a shock when they hit practice after 4-5 years of study are up, and they still find themselves a bit unprepared for what awaits them.




Last edited by longhairedgit at 06-Dec-2005 07:03