Dental health is an important aspect of a pet’s overall wellness, longevity, and comfort. Ingleside Animal Hospital partners with clients to ensure a lifetime of good pet oral health.
At Routine Exams
During regular health care visits, our veterinarians will provide a dental assessment for your cat or dog. Since there can be no clinical signs of oral pain or disease, regular examination by a veterinarian is key.
In-Hospital Care
If we spot signs of gingivitis, plaque and tartar buildup, or other problems during routine exams, we will recommend a through dental cleaning. Pet dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia, as recommended by the American Veterinary Dental College and required by the American Animal Hospital Association.
As with other anesthetic procedures at Ingleside Animal Hospital, blood work is required and performed to confirm the pet is healthy and to identify any potential risk that will need to be monitored. All patients under anesthesia are on IV fluid support and are carefully observed throughout the procedure and during post-operative recovery.
During the dental cleaning, we will also take dental X-rays to evaluate if there is disease that cannot be detected by a visual inspection. Sometimes, extractions are performed. For teeth with decay, we also offer restorative dental work. Antibiotics and pain medication will be prescribed as necessary. We will go over post-dental at-home care with you.
At-Home Preventive Care
Some cats and dogs are more prone to dental disease, but there are a number of steps you can take at home to prevent it and improve oral health.
- Daily brushing using a pet-safe toothpaste to minimize plaque/tartar buildup
- Dental treats, such as Greenies or CET Chews
- Dental chew toys, designed to remove plaque
- Oral rinses to protect against bacterial growth
- Dental diets
Left untreated, bacteria from dental disease can travel through the bloodstream and affect organ function. Safeguard the longevity and comfort of your pet with good preventive and veterinary dental care.
Sometimes pet dental disease does present symptoms. If you notice particularly unpleasant breath, gum swelling or bleeding, or a reluctance to chew, please contact us for a dental exam.