Question:
How can I tell how old my new rescue dog is by looking
at her teeth? My veterinarian thinks she is about 10 years
old but I think she's much younger.
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Dental problems in dogs and cats commonly arise
due to lack of consistent friction across the tooth and
gum surfaces.
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all topics
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Answer:
dogs and cats... teeth... determine
age
It
is possible to give an approximate age of a dog or cat when they
are very young because their front 6 incisors, called deciduous
("baby") teeth, will start to fall out by 4 months.
The adult teeth are all visible by approximately 6 months of age
when the adult
 molars
and canine teeth are present. After about a year of age, precise
ageing gets much more difficult. Generally,
an experienced veterinarian or animal caretaker will look at the
degree of tartar, enamel wear, and general state of the teeth and
gums (called gingiva) to give a general guess as to the age. This
is usually referred to in terms such as "young
adult" or "older".
Unfortunately,
many factors adversely wear or damage the teeth and gums.
Genetics, diet, trauma, and behavior all influence the condition
of the teeth. Certain breeds, too, have very healthy teeth
and gums well into their older age; others begin to need dentistry
as early as 2 or 3 years of age.
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Doctor's Notes
In some breeds of dogs there is a
fold in the lower lips below the large canine teeth. Lipfold
pyoderma, a moist, inflamed and odorous infection of this
fold in the skin of the lower lips, commonly affects Spaniels and
St. Bernards.
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