Proper dental health care is as important for pets as it is for people. Could you imagine what would happen if we decided never to brush our teeth again – what a smelly mess! Unable to brush and floss their own teeth, pets have to rely on their owners, and veterinarians, to provide the care they need. Oral health care for our pets is very important as dental disease is actually the most common disease in dogs and cats. Over 70% of all pets past the age of 3 have some form of periodontal or dental disease. Since is is a chronic slow onset condition, most pets will show few outward signs of dental disease therefore it is up to pet owners, and their veterinarian, to uncover this hidden and often painful condition.
Click on Complete Dental Care video for more info.
The Risks of Dental Neglect are very detrimental to your pets health and longevity.
Dental Health is one of the most overlooked areas of animal care, and neglecting it can have disastrous consequences. In addition to causing potentially irreversible damage to your animal’s mouth, poor dental care can cause fatal bacteria to migrate to its muscles, liver, kidney, or heart. Periodontal disease, a group of oral diseases that often go undiagnosed as 80% lie below the gumline, can lead to gum recession, loss of teeth, and even the infection and loss of bones. Below are just some of the afflictions that can arise from improper dental care:
- abscesses or infected teeth
- broken teeth and roots
- cysts or tumors in the mouth
- malocclusion (misalignment of teeth and bite)
- broken/fractured jam
- palate defects, such as cleft palate
Your animal can’t tell you when its mouth hurts, but providing it with proper dental care doesn’t have to be a guessing game. If you recognize any of the symptoms below in your animal, talk to your veterinarian immediately:
- tooth loss or broken teeth
- abnormal chewing or drooling
- dropping toys and food
- oral swelling or bleeding, especially of the gums
- reduced appetite
- discoloured teeth/tartar
Proper dental care is essential to the well-being and happiness of your animal. This includes brushing and oral maintenance in addition to regular check-ups. Talk to your veterinarian about the state of your animal’s dental health and what you can do to improve it.
Our website has lots of helpful information and videos on how to brush your pet’s teeth and help keep them clean. We have put together a dental information package which we hope you will find useful regarding oral pet care. Please feel free to stop in and pick one up.
We will always do a complimentary dental check-up or Oral A-T-P Consultation at the time of your anuual health visits. The consultation includes an oral exam, a demonstration on how to brush your pet’s teeth, a discussion on nutritional management and the benifits of pet dental food.
Just call us at 780-352-7006 to set it up. Your best friend will thank for it!
If you have any other questions concerning your pet’s oral care please call us at 780-352-7006 and talk to a member of our healthcare team.
DENTAL DIETS DO WORK! IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE THAT JUST ASK US FOR A FREE BAG TO SEE FOR YOURSELF.
