Animal Hospital Colorado Springs - Vet Center, Pet Grooming & Dog Boarding

Pet's need Dental Care too!

Pets need Dental Care too!

Would you let years go by between visits to the dentist? Probably not! Your pet’s dental health is just as important to his or her overall health as your dental health is to your general health. We want to help! Between now and the end of February Northwest Animal Hospital is providing Dental care at a reduced fee. Spaces are limited so call us today to schedule needed dental care for your pet at 593-8582.

Why Dental Care?

Dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care. What’s more, the American Veterinary Dental Society reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. Dental disease doesn’t affect just the mouth. It can lead to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease, which makes it all the more important that you provide your pets with proper dental care as a routine part of their health care.

Periodontal Disease

Fido’s dog breath and Tabby’s tuna breath aren’t something to be ignored – it could be indicative of an oral problem. Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue surrounding the teeth that takes hold in progressive stages. As plaque and calculus develop below the gum line, professional cleaning will be needed to help manage it. If the plaque and tartar buildup continues unchecked, infection can form around the root of the tooth. In the final stages of periodontal disease, the tissues surrounding the tooth are destroyed, the bony socket holding the tooth in erodes and the tooth becomes loose. This is a very painful process for your four-legged friend, but these problems can be averted before they even start.

Dental Care at Northwest Animal Hospital

There are two critical components of your pet’s veterinary dental care: oral examinations and dental cleanings. Veterinary dental care begins at the puppy and kitten life stage. As your pet ages, we will look for developmental anomalies, the accumulation of plaque and tartar, periodontal disease and oral tumors. Usually we can perform a basic oral examination on patients that are awake. However, a thorough exam is only possible with a short-lasting anesthetic . The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines which our hospital follows recommend the following:

Pre-anesthetic exam — Whenever anesthesia is needed, special considerations are taken to help ensure the safety of your pet. We will thoroughly examine your pet to make sure she’s healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. Depending on your pet’s age and general physical condition, we may also run blood, urine, electrocardiograph, and/or x-ray tests to check for any dangerous heart, kidney, or other conditions. Though there is some risk associated with any medical procedure, modern anesthesia is usually safe, even for older pets. We always put your pets safety as our top priority!

Anesthesia monitoring — During anesthesia, the monitoring and recording of your pet’s vital signs (such as body temperature, heart rate, and respiration, as well as other important factors) is important. This helps ensure the safety of your pet while undergoing anesthesia. We have the top notch equipment needed to monitor your pets vital signs.

Dental radiographs — Radiographs (x-rays) of the teeth are needed periodically in order to completely evaluate your pet’s oral health. X-rays aid greatly in detecting abnormalities that cannot be detected by examination alone. In some cases, x-rays can confirm the need for extraction of teeth that are loose or badly infected.

Scaling & Polishing —Our hospital uses similar instruments as human dentists to remove plaque and calculus from your pet’s teeth. To smooth out any scratches in the tooth enamel, polishing with a special paste is also recommended.

Fluoride/sealants — The application of an anti-plaque substance, such as a fluoride treatment and/or a barrier sealant is also advised. This can help strengthen and desensitize teeth as well as decrease future plaque.

Home Dental Care

As a pet owner, you play a pivotal role in helping ensure your pet’s dental health . Remember, proper dental care may add as much as five years to your pet’s life! Call us today about developing a dental care plan for your furry friend.

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