44 CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



The first incisors and the canines, and the second, 

 third, and fourth molars appear in the dog at the 

 end of five weeks. The permanent teeth begin ■ to 

 appear about the third or fourth month; the canine 

 and middle incisors about the fourth month, and 

 the remaining incisors at the end of five months, 

 as well as the second, third, and fourth molars, the 

 fifth molar about five months, the sixth about the 

 sixth month, and the seventh about the end of the 

 seventh month. Then the dog has a "full mouth" 

 at the end of the seventh month. 



During teething the gums become red and tender 

 and the flow of saliva is increased. In some cases 

 the appetite may be entirely suspended and convul- 

 sions may occur from reflex nervous irritation. In 

 such cases the proper treatment is the administra- 

 tion of simple sedatives, such as potassium bromid 

 (five grains three times daily), and scarification of 

 the gums. 



Tartar 



Tartar is a calcareous deposit on the neck of the 

 tooth at the border of the gums. It is deposited 

 chiefly around the canine and molar teeth, and 

 causes great irritation of the gums, sometimes even 

 loosening the teeth and giving the breath an ofifen- 

 sive odor. Tartar should be removed by scraping 

 the tooth with a specially constructed instrument 

 termed a "scaler," the mouth either being closed 

 with a tape or kept open by means of mouth specu- 

 lum. In powerful, violent patients a general anes- 

 thetic may be necessary to facilitate the operation 

 of removal. The teeth should their be cleaned with 

 a toothbrush and camphorated chalk or other suit- 

 able dentifrice. 



