title: Effect of chewing rawhide and cereal biscuit on removal of dental calculus in dogs.
abstract: The effect of chewing rawhide and cereal biscuit on removal of dental calculus was studied in 67 dogs. Two methods were used to measure supragingival calculus and calculus removal as a function of time and acceptability. Trial 1 used a quantitative method based on actual measurement of the area of calculus on a tooth, and trial 2 used a quantitative method based on an arbitrary grading system to establish a supragingival calculus index. Analysis was performed, using 2-factor (trial 1) and a 3-factor (trial 2) analysis of variance. Results indicated that dogs removed calculus from their teeth by chewing rawhide; some teeth were cleaned better than others. The optimal amount or frequency of rawhide treatment was not necessarily determined. It was determined that regular consumption of up to 3 rawhide strips/d for 3 weeks was safe. Processed biscuits were sometimes effective in removing calculus from dog's teeth; however, biscuits were not as effective as the rawhide in removing supragingival calculus.
authors.affiliation: Animal Resources Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lage
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lausen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tracy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Allred
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001641:Bicuspid; D003481:Cuspid; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004063:Digestion; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication