Dental Care
One of the most neglected aspects of pet health is dental care. A fact that you may find surprising is that regular dental screenings and oral hygiene can actually add years to the life of your pet. As with people, oral disease in pets begins with bacteria in the mouth that harden and form plaque that adhere to teeth. If not removed through regular care and cleaning, these bacteria will accumulate, harden into tartar, and can lead to the development of periodontal disease. Constant swallowing of these bacteria can potentially cause damage to major organs of the body such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
At Clarke County Animal Hospital, we recommend annual dental exams and cleaning, starting when your pets are young, in order to prevent the development of periodontal disease and other health problems. We can also get you started on an at-home dental care regimen for in between visits.
Recognizing that dental care is an often neglected aspect of dog and cat health care, Clarke County Animal Hospital has a complete dental package that includes:
- Pre-dental examination
- Pre-op anesthetic blood profile
- Anesthesia
- Dental radiography
- Complete oral examination under anesthesia
- Local anesthetic for superior pain control
- Cleaning and polishing
- Tooth extractions
- Oral surgery
- Post dental antibiotics
Contact us to have your pet’s teeth checked soon if you observe any of the following problems:
- Bad breath
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Pawing at the face or mouth or rubbing the face on the floor
- Swelling of the face
- Gum recession and/or gum swelling
- Broken or loose teeth
- Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Pain in or around the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
Remember, it just takes three simple steps to ensure your pet maintains a healthy mouth:
1. Bring your pet in for a dental exam. Don’t wait for the annual checkup if you suspect a problem.
2. Begin a dental care regimen at home. Brushing your pet's teeth daily is very important. We also recommend using a specially formulated dental rinse, and dental chews.
3. Schedule your pets for an annual teeth cleaning with x-rays. This is also very important and ensures that we catch any disease early enough to treat.
Call us today to schedule your pet’s dental visit.