Mars Petcare has launched a data-driven periodontal disease (PD) risk assessment tool for dog owners.

The new tool uses aggregated data from Banfield Pet Hospital medical records to identify whether a dog has a high, medium, or low risk of having PD based on the breed size1,2,3,4,5, age, and body condition the owner has stated3,4.

It also makes oral care recommendations based on the dog's history (e.g., diet, previous extractions, halitosis), clinical signs (e.g., bleeding gums) and current dental routine (e.g., tooth brushing).

Global Petcare R&D VP at Mars Pet Nutrition, Dr. Elise Malandain said: “This new risk assessment tool will help indicate to pet owners what level of risk their pet is at for developing this disease to help inform conversations with veterinary professionals about prevention or treatment.”

https://www.uk.pedigree.com/gum-disease-risk-checker

References

  1. O'Rourke et al. Periodontal disease risk model for dogs. 2022. [Abstract]. World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
  2. O’Rourke et al. Periodontal disease risk model for dogs. 2020. [Poster abstract]. World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Virtual.
  3. Wallis C et al. Association of periodontal disease with breed size, breed, weight, and age in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States. Vet J. 2021; 275:105717.
  4. Wallis C, Holcombe LJ. A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs. J Small Anim Pract 2020; 61(9): 529—540.
  5. O’Neill et al. Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. J Small Anim Pract. 2021; 62(12): 1051–1061.

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