Warning Signs To Look Out For In Your Pets Dental Hygiene
As humans, we go to our semi-annual dental checkups…. and believe it or not, our furry friends also need to undergo dental procedures. Often we forget to prioritize our pet’s dental health, and you might start to notice an odor from your pet’s mouth. There are tons of products on the market to help with breath odor like treats and oral rinses but oftentimes are not fully effective. Visit vohc.org for approved items. While brushing your pet’s teeth from home, choosing the right food and treats, and checking up on your pet’s mouth are great preventive measures to keep your pet’s teeth healthy, these steps ultimately need to be followed up with a thorough dental cleaning procedure. Lucky for you, Heineke Veterinary Hospital has put together several warning signs that you can look out for to ensure your pet is healthy. This list can help you decipher whether there might be a risk for common dental issues amongst your dogs or cat, such as periodontal disease. Here are eight warning signs to keep an eye out for:
- Chronic Bad breath
- Not wanting their head touched
- Bumps or lumps in the mouth
- Bleeding or red gums
- Tarter build-up on teeth
- Loose teeth
- Chewing on one side of the mouth
- Excessive drooling
After looking at that list of symptoms, does your dog or cat currently have one or multiple symptoms? If so, your pet might have periodontal disease. All eight symptoms are signs that could be connected to periodontal disease. It’s crucial to catch these warning signs early, as it is key to the longevity of the life of your pet. Periodontal disease is remarkably common and is caused by bacteria and plaque. If this disease isn’t treated or prevented, it can severely damage a pet’s gums, and lead to heart disease, lung and kidney disease, gingivitis, and bad breath. Nearly 8 in every 10 dogs and cats have periodontal disease by the age of 3. Don’t panic, at Heineke Veterinary Hospital we have equipped tools and staff to help treat and comfort your pet during a dental visit. We offer digital dental x-rays that can assist us in the early diagnosis of painful conditions, etc.
Before we undergo any dental procedures, we will conduct a pre-dental exam. During this exam, you can expect your pet to be given a physical and oral exam, along with getting some blood work. These pre-dental procedures help us ensure there are no underlying issues with the functioning of your pet’s organs. Once those exams are complete, a dental examination is put into place. All dental patients undergo anesthesia to reduce the stress on your pet, which allows us to gain an overall better cleaning above and below the gumline of their mouth. During this procedure, they will also be connected to IV fluids to help their body process the anesthesia and recover faster. To complete their appointment, just like our human cleanings your pet will receive tooth polishing and fluoride treatments! Then any medicine or antibiotics needed to be given to your pet will be explained in full detail to you after their procedure. We may also suggest diet changes, oral sprays, or dental chews that might help lengthen the time between your pet’s next dental appointment. At your yearly wellness exam with your pet, the doctor will recommend a cleaning if/when it is needed.
At Heineke Veterinary Hospital, we want to give you peace of mind knowing your pet will be in great hands during their dental appointment. We want your pet to live a long, happy, healthy, and disease-free life. Call us at (859) 635-3783 to schedule a pre-dental examination and keep your pet’s smile shining bright!