Dental health is a vital part of your pets’ health and well-being. At Erie Animal Hospital, we provide dental care in addition to a variety of other veterinary services. Below are some commonly asked questions about pet dental care.
How Do I Know if My Pet Has Dental Issues?
It can sometimes be easy to overlook dental complications in your pets. Dental issues are often gradual and hidden, and many owners attribute their pet's dental symptoms to age. Symptoms such as difficulty eating, lethargy, rubbing his/her face on the floor, bad breath, and loose teeth all indicate problems. It's beneficial for your pet to have dental exams yearly to determine the health of both the teeth and the gums. Yearly exams help to identify any dental problems that your pet may have and to prevent them from getting worse. With yearly checkups, we are able to identify and correct many of the problems found.
What Are Some Common Pet Dental Issues?
Pets can suffer from a range of oral health issues. The most common is periodontal disease. This occurs when bacteria builds up on teeth, turning into plaque, and eventually tartar. Left unchecked, periodontal disease can allow bacteria to destroy bone. This exposes the root and allows bacteria to spread into an animal’s bloodstream, which may eventually cause kidney, lung, and heart damage. The root exposure contributes to gingivitis, swollen gums, and broken or loose teeth.
What Should I Do about My Pet's Bad Breath?
Bad breath can be an indication of periodontal disease. Pets with this condition are usually treated with deep teeth cleaning and polishing under anesthesia. Severe cases of periodontal disease with significant root exposure or abscesses may require a tooth extraction. Following the dental cleaning, our vet will provide a preventative maintenance plan to control future damage.
Does My Pet Need Anesthesia?
During a dental cleaning, your pet will need to be placed under general anesthesia. This allows our vets to perform a thorough oral assessment. Anesthesia makes this safer for your pet, since the breathing tube protects the airway from fluids used during the procedure. The risks of anesthesia are low with normal bloodwork, and your pet will be closely monitored for the entire procedure.
At Erie Animal Hospital, we’re happy to answer all of your questions related to your pets’ dental care. Our veterinarians will ensure that your pets’ teeth and mouth are healthy. Give us a call today at (814) 838-7638 to schedule your pets’ dental appointments.
