Vizsla Underbite Concerns
A Vizsla is a cute creature especially when you decide to go for a puppy. However, some of these furry creatures get their cute smile altered by an underbite which plagues them towards maturity. Underbites are common issues among canines. While it’s a part of the genetic makeup of some breeds, Vizslas on the other hand develop it from several dental problems.
If you still don’t know what an underbite is, this article will be your guide. We start by explaining what this condition is about, the causes as well as the symptoms accompanying it. Let’s get started.
What are underbites all about?
Dog underbites are terms used to refer to a dental condition in these carnivorous creatures. Dogs with underbites usually have their low dentine extending beyond the upper one.
It doesn’t just alter the facial appearance of the dog but could cause a form of discomfort while they chew. In some cases, it might alter the shape of the lips in a Vizsla which creates a “bulldog” appearance.
While underbite is a general term used to describe the abnormal alignment of teeth in dogs, not all underbites are the same. They appear differently in dogs, especially in the case of a Vizsla whose occurrence is usually self-inflicted
Before going deeper to reveal the causes and possible ways to treat this abnormality in your precious dog, you ought to know the different types of underbites available so you know the best treatment approach to adopt.
Classes of underbites in vizslas
- Class 1 – This is the most common type of underbite and this happens when the upper and lower dentine are proportionate to one another but still don’t come together when the dog chews on food
- Class 2: Class 2 malocclusions occur when the upper jawline overlaps the lower jawline. In this event, the lower jawline is laid back while the upper one protrudes forward. It’s the most common type of underbite and could result in tissue trauma. The class 2 underbite does have a negative impact on the facial appearance of the dog.
- Class 3: Class 3 underbite is the direct opposite of the class 2 underbite. Here, the upper jaw is laid back while the lower jaw protrudes forward.
What causes underbite in vizslas
As much as some dog owners take extra preventive measures to minimize underbites, there are certain breeds born with this dental abnormality. For breeds like the Vizsla whose genetic makeup isn’t built with such, you have to wonder what causes it.
Well, underbites in canines like a Vizsla are caused by the following factors – skeletal and dental abnormalities. We will break down what each of these means to you.
Dental Factor
This is the most common cause of underbites in dogs. In this case, the dog is born with a normal dentine arrangement but has one or two of its teeth slightly off the usual position. According to veterinarians, this issue springs up when the milk teeth refuse to fall off to give way to permanent teeth.
The permanent teeth erupt nevertheless, causing overcrowding of the teeth. Thus the eruption of the new teeth alters the arrangement of the teeth in the jawline where it occurs. Resulting in an underbite look.
Dental underbites can be prevented if the growth of the new teeth can be tracked. Extraction of the extra teeth will return the jawline to its normal appearance.
Skeletal Factor
This type of abnormality is much more severe. This is because it’s caused by the facial structure of the dog rather than the positioning of the teeth. This could be due to an abnormal jawline which causes the teeth especially the incisors to make strange contact with one another. Skeletal underbites might cause chewing disorder which stresses the gum. It could also result in other dental diseases.
Accidents and Collision
Aside from skeletal and dental reasons, an underbite can result from accidents especially collisions with other dog breeds. When this happens, the jaw becomes fractured, forcing the teeth out of their position. For this reason, it’s important to access your Vizsla after any head-on collision with a violent dog breed.
Symptoms of underbites in your Vizsla
Well, the Vizsla thrives on human companionship, hence they ought to be in close contact with their owner. If you spend a lot of time with your Vizsla, it won’t be difficult to notice a slight change in his body language. If your dog likes to lick you when he’s happy, you will notice a slight disposition of his teeth if he’s suffering from an underbite.
Also, an underbite doesn’t mean the dog must suffer from any form of severe pain. Don’t wait for him to start stretching in pain before you take a look. Also, the safest way you can quickly detect an underbite is if you take your dog to a veterinarian quite often. The vet will observe your dog’s body language and his bite to inform you of any issues.
If the underbite is severe and likely causing the dog some pain, he will show some subtle behavior different from his usual. He might lash at the furniture, rub his head against the wall, or scratch the wall with his claw.
He might demonstrate some difficulty in eating or chewing. In severe cases, this is also accompanied by bad mouth odor or frequent drool. Remember, a Vizsla is a self-cleaning dog hence a change in their physical health might disrupt their hygiene.
Vizsla Underbites Treatments
As much as we hate the sight of underbites in dogs, most dog owners don’t know when to go for treatment and correct the situation. Early detection ensures you nick the issue early in the bud which is a lot easier to correct at the initial stage when it just occurred.
The safest bet is to take your Vizsla for treatment as soon as you notice any sign of abnormal tissue contact around the jaw. Strive to correct mild cases of teeth misalignment. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned in the previous section, take your dog to see a veterinarian who will carry out a proper diagnosis and proffer a lasting solution.
If your dog has an underbite but can still chew and swallow foods perfectly without any pain, mild treatment will correct the situation. This means there won’t be a need for orthodontic devices such as braces. However, if the Vizsla shows signs of pain when they chew on foods, an advanced dental procedure needs to be employed. In unusual cases, braces need to be installed.
Also, in cases of underbite breeds, little can be done to correct the abnormality since it is part of their genetic makeup. Underbite is easier to detect at a puppy stage than when the Vizsla attains full maturity. It’s therefore important to keep an eye on your dog at a younger age.
We understand that underbites can affect the physical appearance of your vizsla. You might develop less likeness to them. To be honest, there are cases where dentists can’t help. Especially when a cosmetic repair is needed. In this case, orthodontic treatment for dogs is required. This is likely to cost a lot and there are only a handful of clinics that offer such services in the US.
Lastly, underbites do not just undermine the physical appearance of your dog. They might be experiencing some discomfort when they chew. This is why it’s important to pay attention to your dog’s attitude when they’re around you. The bottom line is that untreated underbite might kill off the cute smile of your furry friend.
Underbite treatment recovery
After an underbite correction treatment, it’s important to give the dog some time to heal. A Vizsla might slow down his physical activity while that process is on. He might not carry on with his usual burst of energy.
That’s normal. At the recovery stage, especially if his teeth were removed, you want to avoid giving him chewy goods as it may increase the risk of tooth fracture altogether again.
If the dog got braces installed, it might take up to 12 months before they’re removed. You don’t want to feed him with meals that will force the braces out. Dogs with braces on also need regular cleaning to ensure the braces don’t hoard germs and food particles
Conclusion
A Vizsla isn’t an underbite breed but you simply can rule out the risk of occurrence in them either. Skeletal factors could play a big role but they can be somehow self-infected especially after a collision. Underbites are easy to treat at the early stages but might become permanent if allowed to prevail for long.
Every Vizsla owner ought to keep a close eye on their dog if they want to maintain the physical appeal of these furry creatures. You have little to lose with a regular visit to the veterinarian. This for us is the best way to detect issues like this quickly. Lastly, give the dog time to heal before putting him through his pace once more
Family Dog Expert Author
Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.