kayla
December 4th, 2005, 01:09 PM
Wasn't really sure where to post this (mods feel free to move) but I just found a free online vet manual that looks really good if anyone is interested:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp
For the record I'm not suggesting anyone uses this in replacement of a vet, but it has explanations of all sorts of things that could be useful to any pet owner! For example, there is a part on estimating a dogs age by its teeth:
Dogs: The following data were found reliable in ~90% of large dogs. There is more variation in small dogs (especially toy breeds) and in dogs with undershot or overshot jaws. Even, or level, bites usually result in excessive wear.
1 ½ yr: Cusps worn off lower I 1.
2 ½ yr: Cusps worn off lower I 2.
3 ½ yr: Cusps worn off upper I 1.
4 ½ yr: Cusps worn off upper I 2.
5 yr: Cusps of lower I 3 slightly worn. Occlusal surface of lower I 1 and I 2 rectangular. Slight wear of canines.
6 yr: Cusps worn off lower I 3. Canines worn blunt. Lower canine shows impression of upper I 3.
7 yr: Occlusal surface of lower I 1 elliptical with the long axis sagittal.
8 yr: Occlusal surface of lower I 1 inclined forward.
10 yr: Lower I 2 and upper I 1 have elliptical occlusal surfaces.
12 yr: Incisors begin to fall out (unless care has been taken to maintain healthy gingival and periodontal tissues).
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp
For the record I'm not suggesting anyone uses this in replacement of a vet, but it has explanations of all sorts of things that could be useful to any pet owner! For example, there is a part on estimating a dogs age by its teeth:
Dogs: The following data were found reliable in ~90% of large dogs. There is more variation in small dogs (especially toy breeds) and in dogs with undershot or overshot jaws. Even, or level, bites usually result in excessive wear.
1 ½ yr: Cusps worn off lower I 1.
2 ½ yr: Cusps worn off lower I 2.
3 ½ yr: Cusps worn off upper I 1.
4 ½ yr: Cusps worn off upper I 2.
5 yr: Cusps of lower I 3 slightly worn. Occlusal surface of lower I 1 and I 2 rectangular. Slight wear of canines.
6 yr: Cusps worn off lower I 3. Canines worn blunt. Lower canine shows impression of upper I 3.
7 yr: Occlusal surface of lower I 1 elliptical with the long axis sagittal.
8 yr: Occlusal surface of lower I 1 inclined forward.
10 yr: Lower I 2 and upper I 1 have elliptical occlusal surfaces.
12 yr: Incisors begin to fall out (unless care has been taken to maintain healthy gingival and periodontal tissues).