Editing Periodontal disease (section)

==Other animals==
Periodontal disease is the most common disease found in dogs and affects more than 80% of dogs aged three years or older. Its prevalence in dogs increases with age, but decreases with increasing body weight; i.e., toy and miniature breeds are more severely affected. Recent research undertaken at the [[Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition]] has established that the bacteria associated with gum disease in dogs are not the same as in humans.<ref name="pmid22558330">{{cite journal | vauthors = Dewhirst FE, Klein EA, Thompson EC, Blanton JM, Chen T, Milella L, Buckley CM, Davis IJ, Bennett ML, Marshall-Jones ZV | title = The canine oral microbiome | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 7 | issue = 4 | pages = e36067 | date = 2012 | pmid = 22558330 | pmc = 3338629 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0036067 | bibcode = 2012PLoSO...736067D | doi-access = free }}</ref> Systemic disease may develop because the gums are very vascular (have a good blood supply). The blood stream carries these anaerobic micro-organisms, and they are filtered out by the [[kidney]]s and [[liver]], where they may colonize and create microabscesses. The microorganisms traveling through the blood may also attach to the [[heart]] valves, causing vegetative [[infective endocarditis]] (infected heart valves). Additional diseases that may result from periodontitis include chronic [[bronchitis]] and pulmonary [[fibrosis]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Muller-Esnault | first = Susan | title = Periodontal Disease in the Dog and Cat | date = 2009 | url = http://www.critterology.com/articles/periodontal-disease-dog-and-cat | work = Critterology | publisher = Veterinary Internet Company | access-date = 12 March 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140827061236/http://www.critterology.com/articles/periodontal-disease-dog-and-cat | archive-date = 27 August 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref>