Unsure if your pet needs a dental? Book a pre dental exam today!
Ugh! Our pet’s bad breath! We’ve all experienced it, and we don’t like it. Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in adult dogs and cats and is entirely preventable. By age 3, most dogs and cats have some sign of periodontal disease developing. Other than bad breath, there are few signs to tell us the extent of the disease process. Therefore, it often goes untreated until it is too late to prevent extensive disease or to save teeth. In some cases, if left unchecked and untreated, disease can set into the oral cavity and can cause organ damage in our pets as they age.
The good news is that there is a great deal we can do to ensure the health of our pet’s mouth. We have a wide variety of home oral hygiene products to prevent periodontal disease from setting in. Products such as oral rinses, specialty diets, animal-friendly toothpaste, and oral chews – yes even for cats – are available and are excellent ways to help your pet maintain good oral care.
As our pets age, like us, their teeth may need professional assessment and treatment – this is where we can help. Untreated dental disease can cause significant discomfort and pain, as well as permanent loss of teeth and gum tissue. Unlike ourselves, who can tell our dentist we are experiencing pain in our mouth, our pets cannot do the same. Pets rely on us, the owners, to take care of them and recognize when something is out of the ordinary.
Signs that your pet may be experiencing oral discomfort may include:
- Bad breath (the number one sign of dental disease in your pet)
- Drastic change in eating habits – your pet may try to eat, but drop food that they are trying to eat
- Pawing at the mouth
- Reluctance to play – may even be lethargic
- Excessive drooling, which can be a sign of pain
- Swelling (can occur on the face under the eyes as well as in the mouth – be sure to check around the teeth and gums)
- Redness is usually associated with swelling and dental/gum disease
- Bleeding can occur due to tooth aches and inflammation
If your pet displays any of the above, it may be an indication that he or she is experiencing some oral discomfort. Please give our office a call to book a pre dental exam, and meet with one of veterinarians who will assess and make recommendations to help your pet get back on track to feeling better.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (778) 428-6401.
Products
Ask us about: Hills T/D, Purina Veterinary Diet DH (Dental Health), Vetoquinol chews, Oral Health Rinse, Vetoquinol toothbrush set