Our veterinarians recommend routine dental care for all pets. Proper dental care will increase your pet’s quality of life.
Have you noticed a foul odor coming from your pet’s mouth or a brown accumulation on the teeth? It’s not uncommon. Nearly 85% of dogs and cats suffer from some degree of dental disease.
Dental disease can cause tooth loss, pain during chewing, and lead to more serious disease. At your pet’s annual exam the doctor will check the teeth and tell you if it is time to schedule a cleaning. To schedule a dental cleaning for your pet, contact us.
Schedule a dental service: Dental appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday. If your pet is over the age of seven, the doctor will recommend performing blood work within three months of your pet undergoing anesthesia. All blood work must be drawn and reviewed prior to scheduling your pet’s appointment. We must see your pet in our office prior to a dental cleaning. Call us to schedule.
Deposit: We require a $100 deposit to schedule a sedated procedure. Your deposit will be applied the day of your pet’s procedure or if you cancel or reschedule with at least 48 hours’ notice. If less than 48 hours’ notice is given, your deposit is non-refundable.
What to expect on the day of a dental cleaning
Before you come: All dental procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Because anesthesia may cause nausea, we request all pets be fasted for at least 12 hours prior to drop-off. If your pet is over the age of seven, the doctor will recommend performing blood work within three months of your pet undergoing anesthesia. All blood work must be drawn and reviewed prior to scheduling your pet’s appointment.
Drop-off and pickup: We ask that owners drop-off their pets for dental (or surgical) procedures at 8am and pickup between 5 and 6pm. A technician will always go over after-care instructions at pickup. For our patients’ safety, we place an I.V. Catheter during all sedated procedures, so be aware that your pet will go home with a small shaved spot on his or her leg. We also perform a complimentary nail trim with all anesthetized procedures (unless requested otherwise).
The procedure: After being dropped-off for a dental cleaning, a doctor physically examines your pet to ensure s/he is safe to undergo anesthesia. Throughout the entire procedure a technician monitors and records your pet’s vital signs. After your pet is fully anesthetized, the doctor evaluates the entire oral cavity including: teeth, gums, tongue and throat. Then, radiographic images (X-Rays) may be taken of your pet’s oral cavity to further assess the teeth for fractures or periodontal disease. Dental radiographs may also reveal subgingival (under the gums) foreign objects, abscess, bone loss, cysts and tumors, and may help the doctor assess if a tooth should be extracted or saved. If a tooth is extracted, your pet will likely need to eat soft food for a few days, and may go home with pain medication and/or a cone.
A technician will go over after-care instructions at pickup. In some cases, our doctors may refer your pet to a dental specialist. Also, we will call the next day to check on your pet following the procedure, to answer any questions or concerns.