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. Many owners attribute their pets’ dental symptoms to age or other complications. Symptoms like difficulty eating, lethargy, rubbing his/her face on the floor, bad breath, and loose teeth all indicate dental issues. It's beneficial for your pets 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. We are able to treat and correct many of the problems found with these yearly checkups.
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 cause bacteria to eat away at the bone, exposing the root, and allowing the bacteria to spread into an animal’s bloodstream, which may eventually cause kidney, lung, and heart damage. The root exposure also can also develop 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. Following the dental cleaning, our vet will also give you a detailed at-home preventative maintenance plan to prevent future damage. Severe cases of periodontal disease where the tooth has severe root exposure or has abscessed may require a tooth extraction, but only as the last option.
Does My Pet Need Anesthesia?
During a teeth cleaning, your pet will need to be placed under general anesthesia. This allows our vets to perform cleanings without stressing or scaring your pets. Anesthesia also makes these procedures safer for your pets, since they won’t be moving or trying to bite. The risks of anesthesia are low with normal bloodwork, and your pets 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.
