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. 2019 Jun 21;15(1):207.
doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-1923-8.

A longitudinal assessment of periodontal disease in Yorkshire terriers

Corrin Wallis  1 , Ilaria Pesci  2 , Alison Colyer  2 , Lisa Milella  3 , Peter Southerden  4 , Lucy J Holcombe  2 , Neil Desforges  2
Affiliations

A longitudinal assessment of periodontal disease in Yorkshire terriers

Corrin Wallis et al. BMC Vet Res. .

Abstract

Background: Periodontal disease is the most common oral disease of dogs and has been associated with systemic disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine the extent of periodontal disease in a population of Yorkshire terrier dogs with and without a tooth brushing regimen. Each dog was assessed under general anaesthesia two to five times between 37 and 78 weeks of age. The extent of gingivitis and periodontitis was ascertained for every tooth in the mouth. Gingivitis was measured using time to bleeding on probing, and periodontitis was based on extent of clinical attachment loss (probing depth, gingival recession and furcation exposure).

Results: Of the 49 dogs assessed at 37 weeks of age, 98% had at least one tooth or aspect with early periodontitis (PD2, < 25% attachment loss). The average percentage of teeth with periodontitis in the mouth was 29.6% with 95% confidence interval (23.6, 36.4). The odds of early periodontitis was 2.74 (2.23, 3.37) times higher at 78 weeks of age compared to 37 weeks of age. The canine teeth had a significantly higher probability of periodontitis compared to all other tooth types at both 37 and 78 weeks of age (p < 0.001). In addition, at the same time points, the incisors had a significantly higher probability of periodontitis compared to the molars and premolars (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Breeds of dog that are susceptible to developing periodontitis, such as Yorkshire terriers, require effective treatments for the prevention of periodontal disease from a young age. Although tooth brushing is one of the most effective methods when it comes to preventative homecare, this is not always realistic, as was found in this study. Therefore alternative ways to retard or prevent plaque accumulation that are practical for both dogs and their owners are required.

Keywords: Canine; Dog; Gingivitis; Periodontal disease; Periodontitis; Yorkshire terrier.

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Conflict of interest statement

This work was funded by the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition (Mars Petcare), the employer of CW, IP, AC, LH and ND at the time of the study.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Bar chart of the percentage of erupted teeth with periodontitis at 37 weeks of age, by dog, coloured by litter
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Average percentage of erupted teeth with periodontitis at 37 weeks of age by litter, with 95% confidence intervals and Tukey homogeneous groups at the 5% level
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Average time to periodontitis for a tooth in weeks by tooth type, with 95% confidence intervals and Tukey homogeneous groups
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Average time to periodontitis on an aspect in weeks by tooth type with 95% confidence intervals
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Percentage of teeth with periodontitis by age. Data are coloured by litter and averages are shown with 95% confidence intervals
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Probability of periodontitis on a tooth at 37 and 78 weeks of age by tooth type, with 95% confidence intervals
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Probability of periodontitis at 37 and 78 weeks of age by aspect, with 95% confidence intervals
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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