Dental care is an essential part of your dog or cat’s health. However, it is often overlooked until real problems occur, and sometimes these problems are no longer just to do with the teeth!
Calculus build up, also know as tartar, is a hard substance that is full of bacteria. In addition to damaging your pet’s teeth and causing bad breath, the bacteria use the teeth and gums to enter the bloodstream. Once the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can travel to the major organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart possibly causing irreparable damage. It is estimated that good oral health in a pet can add 2-4 years to their lives!
Because of the nature of pets, and their lack of co-operation with their own dental hygiene they need to be anesthetized for a dental cleaning. Unfortunately, it is the liver, kidneys and the heart which help metabolize anesthesia. If those organs are compromised, anesthesia can be a higher risk than in a healthy pet. Fortunately, this chicken and the egg scenario normally only occurs in pets with severe dental disease.
The best thing you can do for your pet’s dental health is to regularly brush their teeth. Special tooth pastes and tooth brushes are available to help keep your pet’s teeth healthy. Other products are also available to help keep your pet’s teeth clean, and their breath fresh, however, nothing beats regular brushing. How often to brush your pet’s teeth? Well, the more often you brush your pet’s teeth, the easier it will become and the better results you will get for your efforts. Once a day is ideal, but a little impractical for most people. Once a week is an excellent compromise; however, remember that a pet’s teeth are actually very similar to ours. What would our breath and teeth look like if we brushed our teeth only once a week?
The other part of your pet’s dental health is to get regular cleanings from your veterinarian as your pets get older. Regular dental cleanings, like with humans, will help find problems before they become serious issues and will help augment the brushing that you routinely do at home. Good oral pet health can also bring significant general health benefits, and by simply staying on top of it, can also bring significant financial rewards – in addition, to no more “doggy breath”!
Bobbie
November 15, 2011 at 10:14 am
What is the cost for a 55 lb dog? I just adopted a dog from the Pinal Animal Shelter. He is need of a good cleaning.
Mike Falconer
November 16, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Hi There,
We have emailed you directly. Thanks for reading and for your interest!
Mike
Gail
November 30, 2011 at 3:27 pm
What is the cost for a 16 pound dog? He is 4 years old and in need of a good cleaning.
Mike Falconer
December 1, 2011 at 9:12 am
Hi Gail,
Tracy will email you this morning with prices. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing you and your pooch!
Best regards,
Mike Falconer
Hospital Manager
Casa Grande Animal Hospital
Gail
December 1, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I did not receive an email today.
Mike Falconer
December 1, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Apologies, looking into why right now.
Mike
Pat Yarnold
November 30, 2011 at 4:59 pm
What would the cost be to have Bella & Bailey have their teeth cleaned? Do they have to be put under? What is the danger for an older dog (Bella)?
Thx
Mike Falconer
December 1, 2011 at 9:09 am
Hi Ms. Yarnold,
Tracy will be emailing you this morning with prices. Dental cleanings do require pets to be under anesthesia and as with all anesthesia there are some inherent risks. There are ways to minimize these risks and your pet having poor oral health also carries significant risks as stated in the article. Pre-operative blood work will inform the veterinarian of any existing health issues or compromises in organ function. If we are unhappy with what the blood work is telling us then we can postpone the dental cleaning and try and address the other issues first.
In addition, I.V. fluids during surgery will help to keep your pet’s blood pressure up and hydrated. It also allows the veterinarian to have direct access to a vein to deliver medications should issues arise during surgery.
The risk from anesthesia is extremely small, but does exist. The risks from poor oral health are considered much greater.
Best regards,
Mike Falconer
Hospital Manager
Casa Grande Animal Hospital
Pat Yarnold
December 1, 2011 at 12:07 pm
No moderation……………..I asked what I want to know……………..
Michelle Yarbrough/ Theia
December 9, 2011 at 8:23 am
Goodmorning Mike,
Can you email me on a 82 lb Dobermarman too please.
Michelle Yarbrough/ Theia
December 9, 2011 at 8:24 am
*Doberman