Large hard biscuits, and nylon and similar toys are also somewhat beneficial. Dry food fed dry may result in less plaque accumulation than canned food. Daily brushing is ideal. Demonstrate to the owner how important you regard follow-up care at home by taking time in the office to demonstrate good application technique. Oral ulceration is severe and causing sufficient pain so that the animal is not willing or able to drink, but where scaling is indicated as part of the therapeutic plan.
Examples are cats with gingivitis-stomatitis, or dogs with ulcerative stomatitis.
A 5-7 day course of clavamox, clindamycin or metronidazole will lessen the inflammation and encourage a rapid return to eating following the scaling procedure. The likelihood of establishing an effective home care plaque control regime with brushing also is much greater if the tissues are less inflamed and the animal therefore more cooperative when the brushing is started. A dog with severe periodontitis, but where the owner wishes to retain as much of the dentition as possible. A two-stage periodontal procedure is performed. Antibiotic administration is generally not necessary following the definitive procedures.