Dental health is a frequently overlooked area of pet well care. Poor dental care can result in a variety of problems and can affect your pet’s overall health. Severe periodontal disease can even cause organ damage.
Periodontal disease has a progression of stages starting with the formation of plaque on the surface of the teeth. Plaque is a soft film containing bacteria and, when not removed regularly, can form a hardened covering called tartar (calculus). Both plaque and tartar can lead to an inflammation of the gums called gingivitis. The stage becomes more severe as bacteria builds up under the gum line causing both swelling and bleeding. It can result in infections involving the roots of the teeth. When left untreated, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause problems with the kidneys, heart, and lungs.
For this reason, we recommend regular examinations of your pet. These allow Dr. Gore to identify potential health issues and to provide early treatment for existing problems. This holds true for your pet’s dental care as well. We always check the teeth and gums as part of a routine physical exam and give recommendations based on the findings.
Should Dr. Gore recommend a dental cleaning for your pet, we can provide an estimate based on your pet’s particular needs. We will also explain the protocols we use for this procedure including the steps we take to assess whether or not your pet is healthy enough to undergo general anesthetic.
Once your pet has been examined, we will run blood work to make sure that your pet’s organ function is normal. Kidney function is especially important as the kidneys are responsible for processing the anesthetic. Liver function is also important as this tells us whether or not we can use certain pain medications or anti-inflammatory drugs.
With the laboratory results complete, we can administer anesthetic and perform the dental cleaning and remove any teeth that need extraction. Your pet is placed in a recovery area following the dental and is monitored until awake https://australianpharmall.com/cialis-australia/. He or she will go home with antibiotics and if needed, pain medication. A re-check exam will be scheduled within one week for pets receiving extractions to evaluate the healing process.
Pet owners can take steps to help maintain the health of their pet’s teeth and gums. Some things that help are feeding dry food, using crunchy treats, brushing the teeth, and using oral rinses. It is also important not to forget that having an assessment performed routinely by Dr. Gore and following up on the recommendations made will ensure your pet’s dental health.
