STORY:  DENTAL PET FOOD

SCRIPT  # 500  SHOOT:  2/24/03

AIRDATE:   Monday, Feb. 24, 2003

          Daybreak and Midday

DHC Master #17  Timecode:              Several American companies have

unleashed new dental pet food.

                                                          The makers of American toothpaste

                                                          helped create a special ingredient

                                                          that cleans dogs and cats teeth as

                                                          they eat.

                                                          Dr. Linda Niessen has more in today’s

          SOVT:  1:41                                 segment of Dental Health Check.

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DOG EATING                                               (VOICE-OVER)

SUPER:  Dallas  :02-07

This Australian sheep dog named Emmy is eating her breakfast and fighting

tooth decay and gum disease.

CLOSE-UP                                           Emmy gobbles up a new formula of dental dog food that contains an ingredient also found in human

                                                          toothpastes.  Companies such as Iams, Eukanuba, and Hills Science Diet worked with the makers of Crest and Colgate to put the tartar control formula in the kibbles.

 

SUPER:    Dr. Robert Wiggs                   (Many of the newer diets have various

Veterinarian  :27-33          kinds of power phosphates, which is just  a chemical, hexametaphosphate is one of the common ones that’s used.  It

                                           helps prevent the plaque, which is the soft stuff that builds up on your teeth

                                           from actually mineralizing and becoming the hard tartar.”)

 

GUMS DISEASE IN DOGS                     Plaque leads to oral infection and gum

disease which is on the rise in dogs, say  veterinarians like Dr. Robert Wiggs.  They blame the increase on owners who feed their pets a steady diet of

human food.

                                                         

 

ON CAMERA                                        (STAND-UP BRIDGE)

 

How can you tell if your cat or dog has

                                                          gum or periodontal disease? The signs

SUPER:   Dr. Linda Niessen                 observed in animals are much the same

           Baylor College of Dentistry          as the signs in humans.

                                         :55-1:00

 

CLOSE-UP OF DOGS TEETH          You may notice red, swollen gum tissue, 

bleeding, decreased appetite, bad breath, discolored and even loose teeth.

DOG TEETH BRUSHING          Brushing  with special toothpaste, special dog chewies, and regular vet

                                                          cleanings prevent oral infections.

                                                                           

DOG EATING                                               Now try dental food, which scientific

                                                          research shows prevents tartar build-up

                                                          In cats and dogs.

 

ON CAMERA                                        (STAND-UP CLOSE)

 

                                                          So if you plan to get a puppy or a kitten,

also plan to get regular dental care.  And feed your new pet a nutritional

diet which means virtually NO human

food.

For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas

A & M System, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen.         

 

(OPTIONAL ANCHOR TAG)

 

February is National Pet Dental Health

Month.  Many veterinarians are offering low cost professional pet dental cleanings.  Look into discounts for both cats and dogs at local veterinarian clinics.