Comprehensive Veterinary Dentistry for Cats & Dogs
Most pets don't receive the oral hygiene care they should. Routine dental checkups are vital to your cat or dog's overall health and they should visit regularly for oral examinations and to have their teeth cleaned.
At Perry Animal Hospital, our veterinary dentistry team provide complete dental care for your pet. We perform teeth cleaning and polishing for your pet and have experience in diagnosing and treating oral health complications, including those that require surgery.
Our vets also provide dental health education so you can better take care of your pet's teeth and mouth at home!
Dental Surgery in Perry
Finding out your pet needs dental surgery can be stressful. At Perry Animal Hospital, we strive to make the process as stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.
We do everything we can to make your pet's experience with us easy and comfortable. Before the procedure, we will explain each step in detail, including how to prepare for surgery and how to care for your beloved pet after the operation. We welcome any questions you may have about the procedure or care requirements.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Your cat or dog should visit us once a year for a dental examination. Pets that are prone to oral health issues might need to visit us more often to maintain their optimal oral health.
Our Perry vets can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Discolored teeth
- Assessment
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before the dental exam.
We will take blood and urine analyses to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
During the next step of the dental checkup, your pet's teeth will be cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and have a fluoride treatment added for extra protection. At this time we will also take X-rays to ensure we find any issues not visible to the naked eye.
The final step is to apply a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is found, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
Ideally, a follow-up examination will be scheduled two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
During this visit, we will discuss brushing your pet's teeth at home and other at-home methods and products that can improve your cat or dog's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our patients about dog and cat veterinary dentistry and dentist visits. If you don't see the answer to your question don't hesitate to contact us.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Just like humans, animals can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a result of poor oral health.
Plaque sticks to animals' teeth when they eat and can build up into tartar without regular brushing.
Tartar buildup can lead to infections, gum disease, tooth decay, and even the loss of teeth. Regular dental care is essential to avoid these serious and sometimes painful consequences for your pet.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
There are many symptoms that can indicate oral health problems but sometimes the most evident symptoms are in the form of behavioral abnormalities. If your pet is refusing food, pawing at their mouth, drooling, grinding their teeth, or not grooming as per usual, they may be experiencing oral health issues.
Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Besides causing bad breath and cavities, poor oral health can lead to more serious consequences. There is a range of diseases that can affect the liver, kidney, heart, or other body areas that stem from oral health issues. Cysts or tumors may also develop. These conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet.
Oral health conditions can also cause pain and a feeling of general unwellness in your pet (if you've ever had a toothache, you'll understand!).
This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet's teeth cleaning appointment?
During your pet’s regular oral exam, the vet will examine his or her mouth and look for oral health conditions or any symptoms needing treatment.
The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your cat's or dog's teeth. If cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions need to be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and provide advice on which actions you should take.
In some cases, surgery will be needed to treat serious conditions. Your pet will be provided with anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and do not experience any pain. However, special care will be needed post-surgery.
If you notice any of the symptoms listed to the left, schedule a dental appointment with us.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
At home, you should brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis and give them dental chew toys to help eliminate plaque.
Do not allow them to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as bones, toys, or objects that are too hard. Always contact your vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Cats and dogs do not understand what is going on during dental procedures, and will often react to dental procedures by struggling or biting.
Similar to the anesthesia provided to nervous or anxious patients by dentists, our Perry vets provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to x-ray their mouth as needed.