Current methods for the quantification of plaque accumulation in cats and dogs are well-accepted adaptations of traditional human models, but have required substantial modifications in order to compensate for the inherent differences in compliance, cooperation, and temperament between animals and humans. While these modifications have sought to maintain or improve upon the accuracy and reproducibility of the original methods, they also have increased the complexity of the technique and have required additional scorer time and animal cooperation, which leads to increased cost of trials. Therefore, research was directed toward the development and validation of a new substrate scoring system that reduces resources while maintaining or increasing the reproducibility attributed to the more traditional methods. This new gingival contour plaque index was shown to be accurate and reproducible, but used fewer animals, required less time, and eliminated the need for many of the specialized procedures required by traditional methods.

The Gingival Contour Plaque Index (GCPI) is a recently introduced and validated method of measuring plaque accumulation in dogs. It focuses on plaque accumulated along the gingival margin. Plaque accumulation in this area leads to gingival inflammation and, potentially, periodontitis. A 6-month plaque and gingivitis study was conducted to demonstrate the clinical research application of the GCPI, and to ensure that documented quantification of plaque-reducing efficacy could be related to a reduction in gingivitis. Advantages of the GCPI method are the ability to quantify plaque accumulation in an awake dog with fewer research personnel and more efficient time usage.

Background: Dental concerns are some of the most common health problems affecting companion animals. A variety of foods, treats, and chews comprising different mechanical and chemical technologies have been investigated as a means of promoting oral health. Here, we investigate the chemical technology, lactic acid added to a commercially available food, for its ability to inhibit dental plaque, calculus, and tooth stain accumulation in cats. Methods: Two separate feeding trials assessed the utility of a nutritionally complete feline maintenance food supplemented with lactic acid to reduce oral substrate accumulation (dental plaque, calculus, and tooth stain) in cats. After a calibration study identified high and low dental plaque formers, 45 cats were randomized to 1 of 2 test groups (food with 1.2% lactic acid supplementation) or control (food without lactic acid supplementation) groups, stratified based on their calibration scores. Data were collected on a monthly basis for 3 months. The second study randomly assigned 24 cats to either the test or control groups for 1 year, with data collected at the 6- and 12-month time points. Results: In the 3-month study, reductions in dental plaque, calculus, and tooth stain accumulations were observed at the 2-month assessment in both test groups compared with control ( P < .05 for test group 2). The 1-year study showed that these reductions in oral substrate accumulation persisted through the 6- and 12-month time points ( P < .05). Conclusions: Taken together, these studies demonstrate that lactic acid supplemented at 1.2% in a feline maintenance food significantly inhibits oral substrate accumulation.

Rats, dogs, sheep, and cattle were implanted subcutaneously with stainless-steel tissue cages. Bolus injections of cefoxitin and ivermectin were administered to the interiors of the tissue cages 11, 32, and 60 days after implantation to simulate pulsatile drug release from an implanted device. Plasma drug levels were determined for 6 h for cefoxitin and up to 8 days for ivermectin. Tissue cages were retrieved 3 and 6 months after implantation for macroscopic and microscopic examination. In dogs and rats, plasma levels of both drugs following administrations to the tissue cages were significantly lower than those following subcutaneous injection, suggesting that the tissue growth around and in the cages posed a barrier to systemic drug availability in those species. In cattle and sheep, the tissue cages and associated tissue did not inhibit systemic availability of either drug as compared with routine subcutaneous administration.

Fifty‐six (> 1 years of age) spayed/neutered beagles were identified for this study. Dogs were scored for periodontal lesions and fed commercially available adult foods. At the time around scoring, a blood sample was drawn into a PAXgene Blood RNA tube. RNA was extracted according to the procedures provided in the PAXgene Blood RNA Kit Handbook (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). RNA was hybridized to an Affymetrix GeneChip Canine‐2 Genome Arrays and normalized using Robust Multi‐Array Average. Transcripts having a P < 0.01 (following a false discovery rate adjustment value of 0.1) and a fold change range of at least 1.2 were considered different among the two groups. Analysis of the RNA found differences in 284 genes between the dogs with poor periodontal scores and dogs with good periodontal scores. Of the genes identified, 157 were up‐regulated and 127 down‐regulated in dogs with poor periodontal scores and dogs with good periodontal scores. Genes associated with inflammation process and pain response were increased, while cell adhesion and attachment, heavy metal binding, glycoprotein synthesis, and cytoskeleton structure support were decreased in dogs with poor periodontal scores compared to dogs with good periodontal scores.