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February is Veterinary Dental Health Month!
We here at the Village Veterinary Clinic would like to take a moment to make everyone aware of the importance of regular oral care for your furry family members.
One of the most common diseases diagnosed in pets is periodontal (gum) disease, affecting approximately 95% of dogs and cats over the age of 5 years to varying degrees. Just like you, your pet requires dental care. Routine professional care from your veterinary team combined with regular home care is vital to keeping teeth and gums healthy as well as preventing plaque build-up. Plaque is a colourless coating, which develops on the tooth surface, containing large amounts of bacteria. If left unchecked, plaque can mineralize to tartar, destroying the gums and leading to the loss of supportive tissues and bone surrounding the teeth. Preventative dental care can reduce the formation of plaque, helping to maintain proper oral health throughout the life of your pet.
Common Signs of Dental Disease:
- Bad breath
- Yellow brown crust along gum line
- Bleeding gums
- Pain with eating/pawing around mouth
- Tooth loss
- Changes in chewing habits
- Subdued behaviour
- Excessive drooling
Negative Side Effects of Poor Dental Health:
- Tooth/Root Abscess
- Gum recession/bleeding
- Facial Swelling
- Bone loss leading to jaw fracture
- Bad Breath
- Pain and difficulty eating
One of the most significant side effects is chronic infection due to bacteria from the mouth entering the blood stream and affecting the overall health of your pet
(i.e. Kidneys, Heart, Urinary Tract etc).
Your pet’s dental care begins with an exam by your veterinarian to evaluate the mouth and determine if antibiotics are required prior to a dental cleaning. On the day of your pet’s dentistry Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork is done to evaluate the function of the Liver and Kidneys in order to ensure the safest possible anesthetic. General Anesthesia is then administered and maintained with the utmost of care. An assessment is done to evaluate which teeth (if any) will need to be extracted. Plaque and tartar is removed from the surface of the teeth (and under the gum line) using the exact same scaling instruments that are used during your own visits to the dentist. The tooth surface is then made smooth again by thoroughly polishing and then rinsing the mouth with an antibacterial wash. This procedure helps slow down future plaque build-up.
As you come to the end of this article take the time to glance over at your four-legged companion. Now imagine that your own teeth have not been brushed or cleaned in years, wouldn’t a minty fresh mouth feel good right about now?
Please join us for our first Nail Trim fundraiser of the year on Saturday, March 6th from 12-2pm.
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