DENTAL CARE FOR PETS

OVERVIEW

Many pet owners are surprised to find out that their pet needs dental care.  Imagine though if we never brushed or flossed our teeth, and never went to the dentist!  In fact, periodontal disease is the most common infection we see in our pets, affecting 85% of dogs and cats over the age of three years.  Periodontal disease is the gradual loss over time of the supporting structures of the teeth.  It starts with the formation of plaque which turns quickly to tartar on the tooth surface, and more importantly under the gum line.  Left to progress, the gum, bone and other structures surrounding the tooth recede eventually resulting in the loss of the affected teeth.  Fortunately, there are things that can be done both at home and in the hospital to prevent the progression of this disease.

DENTAL HOMECARE

There are many things the you can do for your pet  at home to help prevent the progression of periodontal disease.   Without a doubt, the best thing is to brush their teeth on a daily basis.  However, for some pet owners this is not possible.  There are other things that can be done.  These include choosing a specially formulated food, providing your pet with enzymatic chews and adding dental care additives to  the water. Ask us which products are safe to use as there are many to choose from.  Never use a toothpaste formulated for people in your pet's mouth pets will swallow and ingest a toothpaste high in fluoride and detergents. We would be happy to help you get started with some tips for toothbrushing at home.  For more information on brushing your pet's teeth, click here.

Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) - Previously called a 'Dental Prophylactic" Procedure

A COHAT INCLUDES:

• Full physical examination before anesthesia.   Bloodwork is recommended and obtained where appropriate.
• General anesthetic with IV fluids and pain control if extractions are expected.  For more information on anesthesia, see our surgical FAQ's page.
• Full dental examination of all teeth surfaces, with specialized dental instruments and complete charting of any abnormalities.
• Antibacterial rinse with 0.2% chlorhexidine to decrease bacterial count in the mouth prior to cleaning.
• Ultrasonic scaling of the  supragingival surface (the part you can see) of all teeth.
• Subgingival (the part of the tooth under the gumline) cleaning with specialized hand instruments to ensure there is no tartar left behind.
• Polishing of the teeth with a specialized fine pumice paste.

The length of time for this procedure will vary, as will the cost, depending on the stage of periodontal disease.  We do have a Special Stage 1 Dental Package to promote and maintain dental health when it will most benefit the pet - early in the disease progression.   Stage 1 Periodontal Disease is the only stage that is reversible with professional cleaning and homecare.   Please call the hospital for details.