Does my pet need a dental cleaning?

When was the last time you brushed your dog or cat's teeth? For most people, the answer is "never".  For that reason many pets have a build up of plaque and tartar that can cause teeth to become unstable. Ultimately this results in the loss of that tooth either via infection or extraction by a veterinary professional. Here at Magalia Pet Hospital we strive to help pets keep their teeth for the entirety of their lives, and our staff members are happy to demonstrate how to do proper dental home care. With proper training and instruction, most of our clients find that brushing their pet's teeth is not so bad after all! We offer dental packages that include pre-anesthetic blood work, dental x-rays, a general cleaning, and extractions if needed. 

Signs of Dental Disease in Pets

When it comes to detecting potential oral health problems in pets, owners must be vigilant in noticing changes in behavior. This is because pets often do not act like they are in pain until the pain is severe. If you notice any of the signs below, it is important that you contact us to schedule a dental checkup, teeth cleaning and gum disease treatment.

• Broken or Loose Teeth
• Discomfort While Eating
• Extremely Bad Breath
• Drooling
• Red Gums
• Staining on the Teeth
• Swollen or Inflamed Gums
• Weight Loss or Loss of Appetite

The Hazards of Untreated Periodontal Disease in Pets

Untreated periodontal disease in dogs and cats can lead to dangerous infections, like abscesses and blood infections. Advanced dental disease may also affect your pet’s heart, liver and kidneys which will inevitably shorten their lifespan. In order to avoid these potentially life-threatening conditions, it is important to keep your pet’s teeth clean with a combination of at-home care and regular veterinary teeth cleanings.

Pet Dental Cleanings

During your pet's annual wellness exam Dr. Bremner will perform a pet dental checkup which includes an examination of your pet’s head, neck, face, ears and mouth in order to check for signs of dental disease. Once the basic examination is complete you will be provided with an estimate prior to scheduling a dental cleaning where our experienced Veterinary Technician will completely clean all the plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth and below the gum line. Dental radiographs, or x-rays, will be performed before the cleaning and this will alert us to any potential problems under the gum line such as abscessed tooth roots, fractures in surrounding bony structures, or other findings like oral tumors. Following the cleaning our doctor will perform any extractions that are required and do a final inspection of your pets mouth to ensure that every problem is addressed while the pet is under anesthesia.  Unfortunately our furry friends do not sit nicely for dental cleanings like people do, so for their safety all dental procedures are done under anesthesia. This prevents your pet from feeling any discomfort and so that we can be thorough with our assessment and treatment. Once your pet’s teeth are clean, we can give you tips and tricks to help you remove food particles and plaque at home between professional pet dental cleanings, like pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes as well as dental chews.

Please visit the website below to view the Accepted List of Veterinary Dental Products from the Veterinary Oral Health Council. 

http://www.vohc.org/all_accept...

To learn more about our veterinary dental services and how they can protect the health of your pet, call us at (530) 877-1942 today.