Comprehensive Dental Care for Cats & Dogs
Even though routine dental care is an essential component of the oral and overall health of cats and dogs, the majority of pets usually do not receive the oral hygiene care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy. This can lead to a variety of health problems.
Your pet can receive complete dental care at our veterinary hospital Bailieboro, which includes checkups, cleanings, polishings, x-rays, and even surgical procedures.
In addition to this, we make it a priority to educate pet owners about how they can best provide dental care for their animals at home.
Dental Surgery in Bailieboro
We understand that finding out your pet needs dental surgery can be overwhelming. We strive to make this process as stress-free as possible, for you and your pet.
We'll do what we can to make sure your cat or dog's time with us is comfortable and easy. Before the procedure, we'll explain each step in detail, including how to prepare and how to help your pet recover afterwards.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Your dog or cat should come in for a dental exam at least once a year. Pets who have more dental problems may need to come to see us more often.
Rice Lake Animal Hospital can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Discoloured teeth
- Assessment
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before the dental exam.
We will take blood to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs, urinalysis or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet is asleep, we will chart and do a full oral exam (tooth by tooth).
- Treatment
Next, the teeth are cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and x-rays are taken. We then apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth.
The last step is to put a sealant on the teeth so that plaque doesn't stick to the enamel. If there is advanced periodontal disease, the vet will create a treatment plan and talk to you about it.
- Prevention
Ideally, a follow-up examination will be scheduled two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
During this visit, we will talk about how to brush your dog's or cat's teeth at home. We can also tell you about products that will help your pet's teeth.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral health.
Just like in humans, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not brushed away regularly.
This can lead to infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. That's why regular dental care is essential to preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know behaviour may be an indication of oral health problems? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, they drool excessively (and the drool may contain pus or blood), or you may notice them pawing at their mouth or teeth. They may also yawn excessively, grind their teeth, or stop grooming sufficiently.
Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may even suffer from pain that keeps them from eating. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Besides causing problems ranging from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Cysts or tumours may develop. Your pet may also not feel well in general (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!). In addition, diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and well-being.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
At home, you should brush your pet's teeth regularly and give them dental chew toys. These will help eliminate plaque. We also have a great selection of dental treats that will help prevent plaque buildup.
Do not allow them to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as bones, toys or objects that are too hard. Always contact your vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Cats and dogs do not understand what is going on during dental procedures, and will often react to dental procedures by struggling or biting.
Similar to how dentists give anesthesia to patients who are nervous or anxious, our Bailieboro vets give our patients anesthesia before doing dental work. This makes the animals less stressed and lets us take x-rays of their mouths as needed.