Principais características demográficas e nosológicas das doenças da cavidade oral de cães atendidos em um serviço de odontologia veterinária.

Diseases of the oral cavity, such as Dental Calculus (DC) and Periodontal Disease (PD), are frequent in the dog clinic and have a great impact on the health and quality of life of affected patients. However, the adoption of preventive measures is still difficult, since the epidemiology of diseases of the oral cavity is still poorly understood in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic and nosological aspects - such as feeding and brushing habits - of disorders of the oral cavity of 198 dogs treated in the period between 2013 and 2019, in a veterinary dentistry service, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The most prevalent breeds were mixed breed dogs, followed by Yorkshire Terries, with no significant distinction between the gender. As for age, there was a predominance of animals from middle age to the elderly, with ages above seven years old. Among the most prevalent conditions, the highlight is due to dental calculus and periodontal disease followed by gingivitis and halitosis. Regarding the tutors' habits, there was a low level of routine brushing, and a high percentage in the supply of snacks. Evaluating the results and relating them to the eating habits of the patients, the hypothesis that comercial dog food feeding may somehow contribute to dental calculus evolution, urging studies with bigger samples for a deeper investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]