A Maple Ridge couple is facing animal cruelty charges after their dog’s untreated dental problems got so bad its teeth were rotting and 14 teeth had to be pulled.
Stacia Hicks and Scott Rippon are charged with causing an animal to continue to be in distress and causing an animal unnecessary pain and suffering, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. If convicted, they could face a lifetime ban on owning animals, a fine of up to $5,000 or up to six months in jail.
The couple’s dog, a black terrier named Pudding, was initially found wandering the streets of Maple Ridge last summer, said Marcie Moriarty, BC SPCA’s general manager of cruelty investigations.
When the animal was examined at the shelter, staff found that the dog was in “significant pain” with “severe periodontal disease,” Moriarty said.
Pudding was returned to its owners, who were ordered to treat the dog’s teeth.
When SPCA staff checked up on Pudding later, that hadn’t been done. The dog was seized and 14 of its teeth were pulled after a vet diagnosed stage four periodontal disease, Moriarty said.
“This type of thing can be prevented and it should never have got to this stage,” Moriarty said.
Vancouver veterinarian Michael Goldberg said if problems are left too long in a dog’s mouth, eventually the dog will need to be anesthetized for an examination and thorough cleaning, which will cost between $300 and $500 for a cat or dog.
If a dog’s dental health is ignored to the point that its teeth loosen and need to be extracted, it can cost thousands of dollars, Goldberg said. Not only is it expensive, but unhealthy teeth can be painful as well.
“Pet ownership is not a right, it is a responsibility,” Moriarty said. “People need to realize that there will be some expenses associated with keeping an animal healthy and free from pain.”
Veterinarian Dirk Van Der Walt, of Vancouver’s West King Edward Animal Clinic, said small dog breeds are more susceptible to dental problems than larger breeds, mostly because the bone structure holding the teeth in place is not as robust.
“Small dogs lose teeth really easily,” Van Der Walt said. “It’s primarily a genetic function of being little.
“If you don’t [brush], they’re going to lose teeth for sure. It’s pretty much a guarantee.”
Goldberg said owners often think a dog’s bad breath is just dog breath, but it is often a sign of problems with a dog’s teeth.
He said all dog and cat owners should be brushing their pet’s teeth every day, using either a brush or a finger brush. He also recommends enzymatic toothpaste that doesn’t contain fluoride and is designed to be swallowed.
Goldberg, who works at the Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital on East Broadway, advocates a raw diet and raw bones, which can “act as nature’s toothbrush.”
The good news is that once a dog has its teeth problems fixed, the dog’s behaviour changes right away.
“Owners will say, “˜He’s turned into a puppy again,’” Goldberg said.
“The dog will have better energy, better social interaction and a better appetite.”
Pudding has found a home with new owners, Moriarty said.
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