Your Pet's Dental Health is a vital part of his or her overall health.
Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets
*An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).
*Periodontal disease is a common problem in dogs, particularly smaller breeds.
*Cats can develop painful resorptive lesions. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
Oral disease may lead to other health problems
*Periodontal disease causes red, swollen and tender gums, receding gums, bleeding, pain and bad breath. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.
*The inflammation and infection associated with periodontal disease may damage other organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys, or lead to other serious health problems.
There are several ways you can care for your pet's teeth every day:
A complete home dental care program for your pet will include brushing, oravet application, and dental chews/treats.
Brushing Your Pet´s Teeth
Ask our staff to show you how to introduce brushing.
STEP 1: Introduce a brushing program to pets gradually. Avoid over-restraining your pet and keep brushing sessions short and positive. A cat or small dog can be held in your lap or placed on a counter top facing away from you. Praise and reassure your pet throughout the process if they are being calm and quiet. Don't let them go if they are struggling.
STEP 2: At first, dip a finger into beef bouillon for dogs or tuna water for cats. Rub the soaked finger gently over the pet's mouth and teeth. Make the initial sessions short and positive.
STEP 3: Gradually, introduce gauze over the finger and gently scrub the teeth in a circular motion. You only need to brush the outer, not the inner surfaces of the teeth.
STEP 4: Finally, you can introduce a soft toothbrush or finger brush designed for pets. Use a sensitive or ultra-soft brush designed for people or a brush designed for pets. Special pet toothbrushes are available at the clinic or specialty pet store. Don't use toothpaste designed for people because it could upset the animal's stomach.
Dentistry
We recommend dentistry at least once a year for all pets. Many pets are prone to getting dental tartar and gingivitis. This can be easily treated in hospital. The pet is given a basic blood test (pre anesthesia blood test). After reviewing the results, we will sedate the pet and clean the teeth with an Ultrasonic machine. Then the teeth will be polished and, finally, sealed with Oravet.
The pet recovers from anesthesia through the day and is sent home that evening with Oravet sealant, pain killers if needed, antibiotics and a brushing kit. Remember, gingivitis is a serious condition and can lead to heart disease and kidney disease, resulting in lowered quality of life and shortening of life span of the pet. While dentistry is being performed, each tooth is examined carefully, and very loose teeth that are infected and hence pose a health risk, are extracted.
Below is an example of a patient before and after dentistry.
