Oral & Dental Health
Whether young, middle aged or a senior, the condition of your cat's or dog's oral cavity is a significant part of its overall comfort and health. Good dental health is often overlooked as it relates to a pet's total health status. Left untreated, however, diseased mouths, gums or jaws not only impair quality of life and optimal well-being, but may be contributing factors to more widespread systemic disease processes.
Pet owners may only be concerned with signs and symptoms of inadequate dental care, i.e., bad breath or unsightly tartar, but the American Veterinary Dental Society reports that:
- 70% of cats and 80% of dogs show signs of oral disease by the age of three.
- 60% of oral disease occurs below the gum line.
- Bacteria often invade plaque and tartar build up, causing infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth or swelling and bleeding of the gums.
Abnormal signs and symptoms of deficient dental health include pain, excessive drooling, halitosis, fractured teeth, bleeding or swollen gums, tumors, wounds or sores. Age, breed, diet and dental home care determine when periodontal disease begins and the severity of its course.
Your Abrams Forest doctor will perform an oral examination of your cat or dog, and the findings will serve as the preliminary dental treatment plan. A comprehensive, pet-specific plan of care can only be determined after your pet has been placed under general anesthesia.
Well-equipped and skilled, the veterinarians at Abrams Forest can perform procedures such as:
- ultrasound de-scaling of tartar
- deep-gum cleaning
- teeth polishing
- extractions
After a dental procedure our health care team will offer instructions on home care and medical maintenance of your dog's or cat's oral cavity so that he or she remains comfortable and disease-free with a better quality of life.