1.36 



CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



neglected, tartar has been known to collect in such quantity 

 as to prevent the animal from closing its mouth, and to cause 

 a great deal of pain. 



Operation. — Scaling is performed by the aid of certain steel 

 instruments specially designed for the purpose ; there are 

 numerous shapes for use in human dentistry, but, for all 

 ordinary purposes, in canine practice two, or at most three, 

 patterns, will be found sufficient (see Fig. 105). The method 

 of application consists in securing the patient's mouth with a 

 tape muzzle, obtaining the services of an assistant to hold 



Fig. 105. — Scaling Instruments of DitTerent Patterns. 



the head, and removing the tartar around the teeth b}- the 

 firm and steady application of one or other of the instruments 

 close up under the gum, the scaler being drawn towards the 

 crown of the tooth, ^^'hen the interior is affected, a speculum 

 must be used. As a rule the tartar shells off quite easily. 

 The teeth are then cleansed b)- the application of some tooth- 

 powder or mouth-wash on cotton-wool or on an ordinary 

 tooth-brush. 



Extraction of Teeth. 



In extracting a tooth, care must al^\■a^'s be taken to get 

 a firm grip as far up the fang as possible, pushing the 

 points of the forceps well under the gum into the alveolar 

 cavity. The offending organ is then loosened in its socket 



