Desert Inn Animal Hospital encourages all pet owners to care for their pets’ dental health. Without proper dental care, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will show signs of periodontal disease by age 3.
All pets are at risk for developing dental problems, so it is important to check your pet’s mouth and teeth for the following warning signs of disease:
There are many things a pet owner can do to provide excellent dental care for their pets, including:
Just like with humans, sometimes pets need to have professional care to keep their teeth and gums healthy. When your pet comes in for a wellness exam, our veterinarians will check his or her teeth and consult with you on any additional dental health support that may be required.
Appropriate cleanings are performed under anesthesia. As with any other surgical procedure at Desert Inn Animal Hospital, blood work is first done to ensure the pet is healthy and to identify any precautions that may need to be addressed throughout the procedure. All pets under anesthesia are on IV fluid support and are carefully monitored throughout the procedure and during post-operative recovery by our licensed technicians.
Your pet’s teeth will be cleaned above and below the gum line, and dental X-rays will be taken to evaluate for disease that cannot be detected by visual inspection. The teeth are carefully polished and a specially formulated rinse is used to wash bacteria from the mouth. Your pet will be given antibiotics to prevent infection and pain medication if necessary to avoid any discomfort from the cleaning or any extractions that had to be done.
Proper dental care is critical to a pet’s overall health. Bacteria growing beneath the gum line can travel through the bloodstream and damage internal organs, including the kidneys, heart, and liver. Keeping your pet’s teeth healthy can greatly increase the quality and length of his or her life.
The veterinarians of Desert Inn Animal Hospital will partner with you to provide the best possible dental care for your pet.
Desert Inn Animal Hospital utilizes digital imaging technology including both X-ray and ultrasound imaging. The efficiency of digital technology allows us to send images to specialists. We send all of our images to a board-certified radiologist whose special training allows for the most accurate diagnosis of pet conditions.