A longitudinal assessment of periodontal health status in 53 Labrador retrievers.

ObjectivesTo determine the incidence and rates of progression of gingivitis and periodontitis in Labrador retrievers. Materials and MethodsFifty-three dogs, aged 11 to 59 years, had their periodontal health assessed every 6 months for up to 2 years. The extent of gingivitis and periodontitis was measured around the whole gingival margin of every tooth under general anaesthesia. ResultsAll dogs had gingivitis at the initial assessment. The majority (642%) of tooth aspects had very mild gingivitis. The palatal/lingual aspect of all tooth types was most likely to show bleeding when probed: 630% of these aspects had mild or moderate gingivitis. Over 2 years, 566% of dogs developed periodontitis and dogs as young as 19 years were affected. There was a significant positive correlation between the proportion of teeth with periodontitis and age. In total, 124 teeth (57%) developed periodontitis; 88 (710%) of these were incisors. The palatal/lingual aspect of the incisors developed the disease first (28% of incisor aspects). Clinical SignificancePeriodontitis developed in regions that are difficult to see in conscious dogs implying that detection and treatment of disease requires periodic sedation or anaesthesia.