Dental disease affects an estimated 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age three, and it is the most common illness seen in veterinary medicine today. Unfortunately, dental disease is also the most untreated disease. Poor oral hygiene can begin with annoying "dog breath" and lead to serious infection that enters your pet's bloodstream and affects the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. Rose Animal Hospital believes dental health is an integral part of the overall well-being of your pet.
Through educating our clients, we can improve the dental health of our patients.
Prevention is the best strategy in curbing this disease. An oral examination by the veterinarian should be performed at least once a year, and is included in your pet's annual wellness exam. In addition, home care is vital to the health of your pet. It is important to brush your pet's teeth every day. In addition, there are several oral care products that can benefit your pet's teeth besides brushing. Even with the most diligent home care, a professional dental cleaning will be necessary at some point in your pet's lifetime.
Dental Procedure at Rose Animal Hospital
When your pet arrives the morning of the scheduled dental procedure:
A physical examination is performed by a veterinarian to assess vital signs.
A pre-surgical blood work analysis is recommended. This will tell us if the liver, kidneys, blood count, etc., are within normal limits.
Pre-medication is given to help reduce pain, calm your pet, and reduce the amount of gas anesthesia needed.
An intravenous catheter is placed, a breathing tube is inserted, and a mix of gas anesthesia and oxygen is administered directly into the lungs.
Monitoring equipment is attached to your pet throughout the procedure to monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygenation status. The technician monitors your pet's anesthesia depth and vital signs. Based on the monitoring, anesthesia and intravenous fluids are adjusted accordingly.
The dental cleaning involves:
Examination and assessment of the entire oral cavity and facial structures.
Cleaning the surfaces of the teeth below the gum line, which is where sub-gingival plaque and calculus can cause dental disease.
Cleaning the surfaces of the teeth above the gum line using mechanical and ultrasonic scaling instruments.
Dental radiographs (X-rays)are taken to further assess the health of the tooth roots and jaw bones and help determine disease progression.
Assessment by the veterinarian of any problem areas. Tooth extraction is performed by the veterinarian if it is deemed necessary.
Polishing, which smooths the surface of the teeth and decreases the likelihood of future adhesion and plaque formation.
Monitoring of the recovering patient, including giving aadditionalpain management as needed.
Complete any recommended dental care within 30 days of the recommendation and you will receive 10% off the dental services received. Mention code word: SMILE