It’s not just about clean teeth; poor oral health seriously affects a pet’s overall health. Periodontal disease has been linked to higher risk of heart, kidney and liver disease. It is not uncommon for pet owners to overlook their pet’s teeth as they are usually hidden by the lips and in some cases a tongue that is always trying to kiss you.
So here is a quick tip: try to “Flip a Lip.” Do you see or smell any dental disease?
Common signs of dental disease
- Bad breath
- Yellow or brown tartar on teeth
- Sore mouth
- Difficulty eating
- Loose teeth or tooth loss
- Pawing or rubbing the mouth
- Bleeding gums
- Salivating
Dental prophylaxis (cleaning) includes an IV catheter and fluids, antibiotics, general anesthesia, and the teeth cleaning and polishing. Your pet will need to be fasted the night before and arrive in the clinic between 7am and 8am. The Doctor will then do a physical exam to make sure that the heart and lungs sound good before going under anesthesia. Then we will place an IV catheter, and your pet will go under anesthesia. Once under anesthesia an endotracheal tube is placed to protect the airway while under anesthesia. This allows our highly trained technician to clean the teeth on the inside, outside, and under the gum line without getting tartar or water into the airway. Cleaning the teeth in such a manner helps prevent systemic disease to the heart and kidneys. Once all the teeth are clean we make sure that they are healthy. If extractions are needed, we would then remove dead or damaged teeth before polishing. Polishing fills in the microscopic holes that can cause tartar build up. It also keeps your pet’s teeth looking pearly white.
*There may be additional charges if extractions are needed (an estimate can be provided during the Oral Exam). Your pet will go home between 4-6pm.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (951) 698-7387.
