Maxie Guard

~~~~~~~~~~~

MAXIE GUARD SITE:   http://www.addisonlabs.com/products/maxiguard-oral-cleansing-formula.php

 

Following are the concerns about the levels of Zinc and Parabens in the product, and copies of the communication I had with the company who makes Maxie guard, about my concerns…   I was satisfied that the levels are minimal and safe for prolonged use of this product.

These emails,  arranged chronologically from top to bottom by date sent and received..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: Pamela Myers
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010     9:19 PM
To: Info General
Subject: Maxi-guard Dental Spray

Hello,

My veterinarian sent my Toy Poodle home with a bottle of Maxi-guard Dental Spray after her dental surgery.  I have to take Lil-Lea for her two week check up tomorow. (probably today by the time you read this)

I plan on purchasing another bottle, but since my veterinarian does *price match, I would like to purchase more.

I can not, however locate the “shelf life” of the unopened bottle and I only started the present bottle two weeks ago, so with only using it for her every night, I have no clue how long it will last yet!

Can you please tell me the shelf life of unopened bottles ?

I was also told that, providing I use it every night faithfully (which I do) ,  this is an adequate replacement for brushing and will clean teeth with or without brushing.  I would like to hear more about that please,

Such as how this works.

 Thank you

Pamela Myers 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: Kelly Rackley
Sent: Mon 10/25/2010   9:29 AM
To: Karlin Yaeger
Subject: FW: Maxi-guard Dental Spray

Dear Pamela,

Thank you very much for your message.  We appreciate you using our product very much.

The shelf life of an unopened, unmixed bottle of MAXI/GUARD Oral Cleansing Formula is three years from the date of manufacture  We really do not have an actual expiration date on this product, but there is a lot # on the bottom of the bottle.  If you will send me that code, I will be happy to tell you when it was made and therefore when it will expire.  Our oral care products are pretty popular and sell rather well, so there is a good chance you will have quite a bit of time before the bottle expires.  The bottle that you are currently using should be stored in a cool, dark cabinet (which will give you about a 6 month shelf life) or a refrigerator (about a 14 month shelf life).  As long as the product has a blue or green color, it is perfectly effective.

Very good question about how the product works.  Brushing is the best way to apply any dental product, including our MAXI/GUARD oral care products.  However, few pets will allow you to brush their teeth.  MAXI/GUARD works very well on a tooth brush, but is also very effective when used without brushing.  The product has the ability to permeate through the plaque and it oxidizes the anaerobic bacteria (what causes plaque accumulation) while keeping the natural flora of the mouth intact (the good bacteria).  It will also eliminate the sulfur compounds responsible for bad pet breath.  In addition, this exclusive compound aids with the healing of the soft tissue (gums, etc) in the mouth.  That is a big reason why your veterinarian dispensed this product to you after oral surgery.

Thank you again for contacting us.  Please let me know if you have any other questions or if I can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

Karlin Yaeger

Global Sales Manager

Addison Biological Laboratory, Inc.

See our new website! www.addisonlabs.com

800-331-2530

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: Pamela Myers
Sent: Mon 10/25/2010    3:04 PM
To: Karlin Yaeger
Subject: Re: Maxi-guard Dental Spray

Hi, Karlin,

That is great info on the shelf life.  This bottle will not last that long  <G>  It is already down to the below the word “directions” on the bottle and I have been using it every night for about 2 weeks and 3 days now.    I just wanted to know how many it would be wise to purchase ahead of time without having to worry about them them expiring:)  I keep the opened one in the fridge door.     Thank you!

Actually, I do have a few other questions as I have done more research  🙂  (i research everything that has to do with Lil-Lea)  But first, I want to say that since the veterinarian is not agreeing with the no brush situation. She discussed with me,  that I if I use a wet gauze pad and rub it across her teeth after Lil-Lea eats (within 24-48 hours),  that will get most of the gunk off as it is the rubbing/friction that is the best for that.  Then use the spray.    I agree,  and so,  what I am doing is spraying the maxi-guard on the gauze pad, rather than water, and rubbing her upper and lower teeth on the outside.   Then, I use the spray,  just at bedtime, when I know she is done eating and drinking for the night. Or, I do bot at the same time, each night.

Now, ………….  I read all the info on your pdf with regards the testing that was done.   What I am wondering is how much Paraben and how much Zinc are actually in the bottle and/or in each application of, lets say 6 sprays.

Since Lil-Lea only weighs 7.5 lbs, she can overload on things quite easily. I did the research on Paraben and saw that it is a “possible” contributor to risk of being a carcinogen. I read that is has been found in connection with breast cancer, but is unconfirmed as a direct cause.  So that does concern me less than the Zinc, actually, but still worries me a bit.

Can you please expound a bit on the Zinc content and how that would play out, using the spray twice a day, as a wipe and then spraying at night.  I spray along her gum lines, upper and lower on both sides. It takes about 3-4 short sprays on each side.  Her bottom jaw has bone loss and a 2 tooth roots very close to the bone, so I am making sure that those bottom teeth and gums, get sprayed directly,  even though I know the directions said it would *travel!   If she gets anything wrong with those 2 teeth that have that issue of the crooked roots, and needs them removed, her jaw could be fractured trying to get them out and I am wreck worrying over that and my veterinarian said he would not want to be the one doing it!

So, I am weighing the extra spaying,  against the  Paraben amounts, which seems like a good trade off for a possible fractured jaw down the road,  and it seems that is much less of a risk,  since she is 8 now and the risk of her getting cancer in the next 8 years, and dying  from that, at 16, assuming she lives that long, seems unlikely to me. .     I am, however still worried about a Zinc overload,  and I would love to have your input and figures on the Parben and Zinc 🙂

Thank you 🙂

Pamela Myers 

PS: Lil-Lea got a clean bill of health on her surgery on her two week check up on Friday and doctor said the healing looks fantastic, so hopefully your product helped with that.  🙂

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On 2:59 PM, Karlin Yaeger wrote:

Dear Pamela,

Thank you for your response.

I am glad that you do research on the products that your use on Lil-Lea.  There are products out there that do have potentially harmful ingredients to pets and I appreciate your questions about our products.

The MAXI/GUARD Oral Cleansing Formula contains a very small amount of parabens, that are used as a preservative in the product.  The zinc is an actual active ingredient and it is also used in a very small amount (approximately 2%).   For many years we had a staff PhD in toxicology.  He performed a thoroughly analysis of the safety levels of the ingredients in all of our products.  He deemed them safe even in excessive amounts (many times the recommended dosage).  In addition, this product has been on the market for over 20 years without a confirmed case of any harmful effects.  Our products are also popular with the Holistic Veterinary Association.  As you can imagine, they investigate all products thoroughly also.  Lil-Lea should be fine with a twice daily application and it should provide optimum benefits with that dosage.

Thank you again for your questions.  Please let me know if I can be of any other assistance..

Sincerely,

Karlin

Karlin Yaeger

Global Sales Manager

Addison Biological Laboratory, Inc.

See our new website! www.addisonlabs.com

800-331-2530