by Dr David Clarke, Dental Care for Pets, Hallam, VIC
I’ve been using Maxiguard oral gel for about 15 years with great results. Clients see a real improvement with their pet’s halitosis and it works very well with greyhounds and small breeds of dogs such as Maltese, shih-tzus and bichon frisés. The new Maxiguard cleansing wipes also prevent and slow calculus and plaque build-up on teeth. They are excellent for cats with stomatitis or any inflammation in the mouth.
What’s good about them
Maxiguard oral wipes works very effectively in decreasing plaque and calculus in puppies and kittens. After a dental polish and scale, we use them as a treatment for animals with gum disease as they reduce gingivitis, help heal the gums and reduce bad breath.
The oral gel contains a vitamin C and zinc preparation. Zinc has been shown to have antibacterial properties and reduces anaerobic bacteria in the mouth. The vitamin C scavenges free radicals and helps with collagen production. Zinc is good for the prevention and treatment of gingivitis in animals that haven’t had extractions. For those that have had extractions, the oral gel helps with healing at the extraction site.
Maxiguard oral gel is very easy to apply. A pea-sized drop of the gel is placed above the canine teeth on both sides of the mouth. The wipe is a microfibre cloth that’s wrapped around the finger and used like a toothbrush. The client can apply Maxiguard to their pet’s teeth at home.
What’s not so good
Maxiguard oral gel comes in a clear bottle with an attached vial of vitamin C that’s mixed with the gel. After mixing, the bottle must be kept in a fridge or a dark cupboard as vitamin C degrades in light. If the gel came in a dark bottle, there would be no need to store it in such a fashion.
Is the gel as good for cats with stomatitis as the wipes?
It’s a clear bottle so you can see that the solution is mixed and “fresh”