Dental care is vital to the overall health of any pet. Dental disease can lead to health issues with the heart, liver, and kidneys, and can affect the entire body through the bloodstream. In fact, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over three years of age suffer from some form of dental disease, making it the most common pet health issue among our pet population.
In spite of these disturbing facts, many pet owners are not aware of the importance of dental care to their pets’ health. There are a lot of different ways to improve your pets’ dental hygiene, including home brushing, dental chews, and regular inspection.
The most effective way to protect your pet from dental disease is through professional cleanings. We perform thorough cleanings here at Evergreen Veterinary Hospital, including the area beneath the gums that you can’t see or access at home.
If your pet has brown/yellow teeth, bad breath, or is having difficulty eating, these could all be signs of dental disease. Please call us at (360) 866-0323 today to learn more and schedule your pet’s dental cleaning.
Treatment of Periodontal Disease
It is just as important to take care of your pets’ teeth as it is to take care of your own teeth. Periodontal disease is the most common disease of dogs and cats, with 85% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of three suffering from some form of dental disease! We offer and recommend annual dental examinations, which may include radiographs (X-rays) of your pets’ teeth, just like when you go to the dentist. These X-rays allow your pets’ veterinarian to examine the tooth roots, that you can’t see but which can cause severe problems. We also recommend annual dental prophylaxis (cleaning) of teeth, with some smaller breeds requiring cleanings more often than once a year.
If your dog or cat is found to have gum loss, abscesses or dental disease that requires extractions (pulling of teeth), we can take care of that too. If extractions are necessary, we will give pain medications to help keep your pet comfortable.
We offer a variety of at home dental care products that can help keep your pet’s teeth clean after the cleaning. From simple water additives to flavored toothpaste that will make your pet will love to have its teeth brushed, we have many easy ways to help keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy throughout their life.
Pet owners can bring in their pets in for a dental prophylaxis and receive a customized estimate for their pet.