Call today and set up your pets dental appointment!
Note: if your pet has not been seen by our veterinarians in the last 12 months, a physical exam is required. Please call for apts. 619-423-7121.
Can't face another day of your dog or cat's bad breath? Don't despair. Dental disease, one of the most common and potentially harmful health problems for pets, is easily avoided. What causes that special smell? [more]
How Can I Prevent Oral Disease in Cats and Dogs?
Develop a dental care routine that's as easy as 1,2,3. The bacteria that lurk in a pet's mouth may be the cause of bad breath and more. Bacteria accumulation can lead to oral disease and increase the risk for disease in other organs, such as the heart, liver and kidneys, according to research presented at a recent conference on Companion Animal Oral Health.
The American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. In fact, oral disease is the most common health problem treated in small animal clinics today.
The partners of the Pets Need Dental Care, TooTM campaign, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Dental Society, and Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., urge pet owners to undertake a three-step dental care program:
• Visit your veterinarian for a complete checkup.
• Start a pet dental care routine at home with the right food and brushing.
• Continue regular veterinary dental checkups.
This article from Hill's Science Diet Oral Care brand pet food.
How do I know if my pet needs a professional dental cleaning? Does your pet have bad breath -- often smelling “fishy”?
Are your pets gums red?
Does your pet have difficulty eating certain foods or treats that they once enjoyed?
Does your pets teeth have visible staining and/or tarter?
Is your pet missing any teeth?
Does your pet salivate alot or have nasal or ocular discharge?
Is your pet five years old and never had their teeth cleaned before?
What is involved in a professional dental cleaning?
Once your pet in under general anesthesia all of their teeth are probed to determine the depth of the gingival sulcus--this aids in the determination of tooth and gingival health.
Heavy tarter build-up is removed by hand and all the teeth including under the gingival are cleaned using the ultrasonic scaler.
Once all teeth have been scaled they are then polished and given a flouride treatment.
How many teeth should my dog or cat have?
Adult dogs have 42 Puppies have 28
Adult cats have 30 Kittens have 26
What can I do at home to aid in my pets dental health?
Brush your pets teeth
Give your dog appropriate chew toys
Avoid giving your dog pig ears and hooves since they are very hard and can fracture your dogs teeth
The bacteria that lurk in a pet's mouth may be the cause of bad breath and more. Bacteria accumulation can lead to oral disease and increase the risk for disease in other organs, such as the heart, liver and kidneys, according to research presented at a recent conference on Companion Animal Oral Health.
How do I know if my pet needs a professional dental cleaning?