From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-11-11 21:00:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Tooth cleaning question (with pic links)
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Matt Staroscik <mstar@s...> wrote:
>
> I have a DEW sprite shelter rescue who I believe is around 2 years
old.
> When we got her there was some gunk on her teeth. In the 5 months
since it
> hasn't seemed to improve, though it hasn't seemed to get worse
either. (I
> have a toothbrush for small pets though I have yet to try it.)
>
> I am not sure if the tooth ick requires medical attention or not.
Here's
> hoping someone can take a look and give me some advice.
Dear Matt:
Tartar buildup such as this is common in ferrets, and at this point,
although unsightly, medical attention is not required. If you look
at these teeth, the tartar does not reach the gumline, and the
gumline is a healthy pink. If the gumline should turn reddish, then
a cleaning would be required at that point.
As we don't know what she was eating before, it may be that her diet
was soft and generate this level of tartar. It is likely that on her
current good diet, it will not worsen signficantly for a while
(although most ferrets nedd a cleaning a the vet's at least once
during their lives.)
You have a good eye, and a great camera! These are terrific
pictures. With you permission, I would like to add these to the file
section, and eventually use one on the front of the site. Your
question is a very common one.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM