Pet Dental Care

Dog Dental Cleaning -- $156.97

Cat Dental Cleaning -- $135.97

Evidence continues to mount that clean teeth are more than just cosmetic. Good dental care can extend the life of your pet by 20%. Dental disease not only causes bad breath, loss of appetite (often due to pain), broken and abscessed teeth, but can also contribute to heart, liver and kidney disease.

Just like people, dogs and cats are susceptible to plaque that contains large amounts of bacteria. When tarter and calculus build on teeth, gingivitis follows (just as in people). Plaque turns into tartar that can destroy gums and result in the loss of the tissue and bone that supports the teeth.

When the gums become diseased, they allow the bacteria in the mouth to get into the bloodstream. These bacteria can then cause small infections elsewhere that are often undetectable. The animal subsequently can suffer from kidney failure, a heart murmur or other serious health problems.

Some small dog breeds and particularly older dogs are at greater risk for periodontal disease. Certain cat breeds, such as Abyssinians and Somalis are at greater risk as well as older cats.

Signs & Symptoms

Here are some signs your dog or cat may be at risk for or have periodontal disease

Bad breath (dog breath:-(Bad breath is most commonly an indication that a trip to the veterinarian is needed for a dental check up.)
Yellow-brown crust around the gum line
Bleeding gums
Pain when eating or pawing at the mouth
Change of chewing or eating habits
Tooth loss
Subdued behavior
Excessive drooling

Brushing

Do not use human toothpaste or baking soda. If swallowed, these can make your pet sick. You can use a number of veterinary products developed such as toothpastes and toothbrushes designed for the different shape of a pet's mouth. If you do use a human toothbrush, use a soft brush. Cats may respond better to a finger wrapped in gauze, particularly when you first start. The tongue helps clean the inner surface of the teeth, so we generally recommend cleaning the outer surface. If you find it impossible to brush your dog's or cat's teeth (some tolerate it, others don't), you can have your pets teeth professionally cleaned.

Other Home Care

While brushing the teeth daily is ideal, we realize that not everyone is able to do so. There are a number of other products that help clean teeth, here are three.

1. Science Diet T/D -- This food has special enzymes that stick to your pet's teeth and help decrease bacteria and plaque formation. Both the large size and the type of fiber help clean teeth. It is a complete and balanced diet, so it can be fed as the only food. Many people use it as a treat also.

2. CET chews -- These dental chews are a great tasting and effective way to keep your dog's breath fresh and teeth clean. C.E.T. chews have an exclusive antibacterial system and time-tested dual-enzyme system to control plaque and eliminate bacteria buildup.

3. Maxiguard Gel -- This product is applied to your pet's teeth daily to prevent plaque build-up. It does not, however, remove tarter. This product works well, but brushing the teeth and/or using the T/D treats seem to prevent plaque build-up better. Maxiguard Gel is a better alternative for pets who will not tolerate having their teeth brushed and/or for owners who can honestly not add yet another task--such as brushing their pet's teeth--to their already busy schedules!

We offer consultations on helping you decide which methods or combination of methods would work best for you and your pet. We also stock these products in house so you can pick them up when you visit. We also offer state-of-the-art dental equipment that make the process safe and as painless as possible. Receive 10% off any dental-related treatment or procedure during February and September. Dental Anesthesia Release Form and Rates.

For more extensive information, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association's Pet Dental Health Page.

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Archer Animal Hospital, LLC

16105 SW Archer Road. , Archer, FL 32618-5619
352-495-2910

We're A Proud Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Florida Veterinary Association (FVA), and the Alachua County Veterinary Association (ACVA).

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Updated 01/21/2008 01:31:48 PM