As long as the teeth of the full-grown dog are whole, and not injured by
use, they have a healthy appearance, and their colour is beautifully
white. The surface of the incisors presents, as in the ruminants, an
interior and cutting edge, and a hollow or depression within. This edge
or border is divided into three lobes, the largest and most projecting
forming the summit or point of the tooth. The two lateral lobes have the
appearance of notches cut on either side of the principal lobe; and the
union of the three resembles the 'fleur de lis', which, however, is in
the process of time effaced by the wearing out of the teeth. (Figs. 3
and 4.)
While the incisor teeth are young, they are flattened on their sides,
and bent somewhat backwards, and there is a decided cavity, in which a
pulpy substance is enclosed. This, however, is gradually contracted as
the age of the dog increases.
M. F. Cuvier speaks of certain supernumerary teeth occasionally
developed in each of the jaws. There is much irregularity accompanying
them; and they have even been supposed to have extended to seven or
eight in number.
THE INDICATIONS OF AGE.
The dog displays natural indications of age. The hair turns gray to a
certain extent as in the human being. This commences about the eyes, and
extends over the face, and weakens the sight; and, at ten years old, or
earlier, in the majority of dogs, this can scarcely be mistaken. At
fifteen or sixteen years the animal is becoming a nuisance, yet he has
been known to linger on until he has reached his two-and-twentieth year.
Among the diseases from which the dog suffers, there are few of more
frequent occurrence than decayed teeth, especially in towns, or in the
habitations of the higher classes of society: the carious teeth, in
almost every case, becoming insufferably fetid, or so loose as to
prevent mastication; or an immense accumulation of tartar growing round
them.
The course which the veterinary surgeon pursues is an exceedingly simple
one. If any of the teeth are considerably loose, they must be removed.
If there is any deposit of tartaric acid, it must be got rid of by means
of the proper instruments, not very different from those which the human
surgeon employs. The teeth must be perfectly cleaned, and every loose
one taken away. Without this the dog will be an almost insufferable
nuisance. The decayed and loose teeth being removed, chlorinated lime
diluted with 15 or 20 times its bulk of water should be applied to the
gums. By the use of this the ulcers will quickly heal; the fetor will be
removed, and the deposition of the tartar prevented. Mr. Blaine first
introduced the chlorinated lime for the accomplishment of these
purposes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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