Dental disease is a common problem in both dogs and cats. Plaque, tartar and bacterial infection can cause bad breath, along with liver, kidney and heart infection. In older pets, dental disease can contribute significantly to the aging process. Dental disease can be prevented by custom fitting a dental food into the health care plan and by learning how to clean your pet’s teeth.
Did you know that 80% of dogs and cats over the age of 6 have dental disease? Dental disease is not ‘normal’ for pets. Dental tartar pushes the gum away from the tooth, followed by infection and bad breath. In particular, small dogs have more calcium in their saliva which creats more tartar and causes periodontal disease.
Not only is dental disease painful, but infection can spread to the heart, liver and kidneys, contributing to disease in these organs. In older pets, this can contribute to the aging process. Proper cleaning involves anesthesia and cleaning under the gum line.
A physical exam is carried out first. Blood work may be necessary depending on the age and health of the patient. Intravenous fluids are maintained during the procedure to ensure blood pressure is regulated. The teeth are then evaluated on an individual basis. Every tooth is scaled and polised and checked under the gum line. If deep infection is present, extractions may be necessary.
Our practice is equipped with digital dental x-ray to evaluate the tooth roots, high speed dental cleaning equipment and anaesthetic monitoring to ensure your pet receives the highest level of care.
Cats are particularly prone to cavities, especially below the gum line. Particular attention is carried out in their evaluation under anaesthetic. Teeth with cavities exposing the dentine are painful and are usually extracted.
The good news is that prevention methods are available. In pets that allow it, regular brushing with toothpaste can greatly reduce the ongoing development of dental disease. Dental diets by Royal Canin and Hill’s are available – they are designed to create a scrubbing effect and can prevent tartar build up by binding calcium in the saliva.
Clients are often worried about having dental procedures performed under anaesthetic on senior patients. However, patients are never too old to have pain and infection healed. Our anaesthetic procedures are designed to be as safe as possible.
Often, clients state a major improvement in their pet’s health following dental treatment since infection and pain has been removed. Your pet’s teeth should be examined every year at an annual physical exam; with senior pets, every 6 months.
Remember, animals have a natural instinct to hide pain. Normal eating is not a reliable indicator of the absence of pain. Please keep up with regular physical exams to ensure full preventative care.
