Moray dog has pedigree gums
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Toto the spaniel now has gleaming pearly whites like Cliff Richard thanks to an ultrasonic toothbrush for dogs.
Elgin resident Aileen Toynton has begun selling the non-vibrating toothbrushes which are specially designed for use on dogs.
There's a story behind Aileen's venture and it involves her beloved pet.
Two years ago Toto nearly died after undergoing an operation under general anaesthetic to remove two rotten teeth.
Aileen explained: "During the operation he swallowed some of the bacteria.
"I won't go into details about what happened next.
"But to say he had diarrhoea doesn't even come close."
Over the course of the next three months Toto lost nearly half his body weight.
Aileen said: "We tried everything we could think of to help him. I spent £2500 on MRI scans, CTC scans.
"Me and my husband were on the point of saying goodbye to Toto before a clever young vet diagnosed what the problem might be."
Toto was given antibiotics for a colon infection and within 12 hours his condition started to improve.
However, as the months went by his teeth started to get worse again.
Aileen said: "American cocker spaniels are one of many breeds that are prone to having problems with their teeth
"You could see the tartar starting to build up again.
"But there was no way I putting my wee dog through an operation again.
"A friend recommended that I got one of these ultrasonic toothbrushes.
"I must admit i thought twice when I looked at the price – they are £199.
"But Toto is my baby – and you wouldn't put a baby under general anaesthetic if you could help it."
The ultrasonic toothbrush does not vibrate or make a noise.
Instead it emits sound waves that are so high-pitched that even dogs can't hear them.
These waves both remove remove tartar and kill bacteria.
Aileen was so impressed with the results on Toto that she decided to order a £10,000 supply.
She said: "They work so well. I'm recommending them far and wide to all the doggie people I know."
During lockdown Aileen has already sold 50 of the toothbrushes which are available from her website at www.k9cleancoats.co.uk
Also available are the designer dog coats and other products which she makes.
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