322 DISEASES OF DOGS. 



The tusks do not generally appear to be rounded 

 until the front teeth are more or less changed ; and 

 they longer retain their freshness of appearance. The 

 indications of age in them are vague and variable ; 

 they depend still more on the habits and food of the 

 dog than do those of the other teeth. 



The Editor, however, has seen numerous dogs, 

 both large and small, which have lost their front teeth 

 before the second year has been attained; therefore 

 no dependence can be placed upon the teeth of the 

 dog as indicative of the age of the animal, although, 

 by exceptional kinds and races, the foregoing remarks 

 of Mr. Youatt may be fully justified. 



The diseases of the teeth of petted dogs are often 

 difficult, and disgusting to treat. Before the inmate of 

 the drawing-room becomes two years old, tartar begins 

 to accumulate round the roots of many of the teeth. 

 While it grows downward on the teeth, it also presses 

 against the gums; it inflames, it corrodes, and the 

 breath becomes offensive. 



If the case is now neglected, the tartar will be col- 

 lected more thickly about the teeth ; it will eat into 

 the gums ; it will form extensive and foetid ulcers on 

 the inside of the lips ; many of the teeth will drop 

 out, and the breath of the animal is rendered abso- 

 lutely loathsome. 



As a local application, healing the gums and sweet- 

 ening the breath, equal parts of rose water and the 

 weaker solution of the chloride of zinc, applied by 

 means of one of those brushes ladies use for what is 

 called Poonah painting, will answer every wish. A 



