Nylon Bones: Making Business for Veterinarians

Nylon bones are a very hard type of bone that pet owners can purchase at most pet stores. Many of the larger breed dogs enjoy chewing on these bones and many pet owners believe that they help plaque accumulation on the teeth. There are many people that will tell you nylon bones are great for dogs, when in reality, nylon bones are actually creating business for veterinarians. You may wonder why this is. Well, nylon bones are made of a very hard material that can damage the teeth. You should base your decision to allow your dog to have a nylone bone or not off of their chewing habits should you decide to buy a nylon bone.

If a dog bites hard enough (and this occurs in most cases), it is usually by the larger molars in the back of the mouth. These are the grinding teeth and exert the most power and damage to objects. What happens when a dog bites down too hard on the nylon bone is a fracture. Most commonly, a slab fracture in which the buccal side (cheek side) of the tooth has a thin longitudinal fracture. This can cause many problems, especially if the pulp is exposed. When the pulp is exposed, it can be extremely painful for the dog. Unfortunately, with the pulp exposed, your dog's tooth is prone to infection. This can be a serious problem if left untreated as the tooth may abscess and cause swelling of the face, etc.

To treat a slab fracture (depending on if the pulp is exposed), a root canal can be performed or the tooth is extracted. The root canal procedure is becoming more used and is very successful in canines. The pulp is completely removed and the enamel portion of the tooth is smoothed out. Having a root canal will remove the possibility of an infection secondary to pulp exposure. Extracting the tooth eliminates the problem entirely. However, this is more painful than a root canal, it is cheaper. So you see, nylon bones, in actuality, are creating business for veterinarians in a way.

Before you go out and purchase a nylone bone, think about your dog's chewing behavior. If they are an aggressive chewer, scratch the idea of buying a nylon bone. If they are a petite chewer, stick with rawhide bones instead. Rawhide bones will soften up like a wet noodle and the chances of a slab fracture decrease greatly. Just remember, your dog does not NEED a bone to chew on. Although it may benefit the teeth and prevent dental disease, having to deal with a fracture can be a nightmare and be very expensive for you as a pet owner. Taking the proper precautions will save you from this hassle.