Comprehensive Dental Care for Cats & Dogs
Routine dental care is one of the most crucial parts of cats' and dogs' oral and overall health. Unfortunately, the majority of pets are not receiving this necessary care.
At our veterinary hospital, we provide complete dental care for your pet. We also offer dental health education to our pet owners about home dental care for their pets.
Dental Procedures
We know learning that your companion needs dental surgery can be frightening. We aim to make this process as stress-free as possible, for both yourself and your furry friend.
We will provide your pet with the necessary care in a way that causes the least amount of stress and discomfort. We'll break down each step of the process to you in detail before the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
We recommend that you bring your pets in annually for routine dental care. If you have a pet that suffers from an oral condition then we may ask to see them more frequently.
Bridlewood Animal Hospital can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
Some symptoms that you should watch for in your dog or cat are
- 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
- Discoloured teeth
- Assessment
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be conducted by our vets.
We will perform blood and urine analyses to ensure the safety of your pet when receiving anesthesia.
- Treatment
The technician will take x-rays of your pet’s mouth to help the veterinarian determine if there is any periodontal disease.
- Prevention
Our team will follow up with you to discuss your pets’ individualized prevention plan to reduce the reoccurrence of periodontal disease.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our clients about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Humans aren't alone when it comes to developing periodontal disease and tooth decay. If your pet is experiencing dental problems they may drool excessively (this may contain pus or blood), or paw aggressively at their mouth.
Just like in humans, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if you are not routinely brushing it away.
This can lead to infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. That's why regular dental care is essential to preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know behavior may be an indication of oral health problems? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, they drool excessively (and the drool may contain pus or blood), or paw aggressively at their mouth as though they are trying to get something out.
Some other signs of oral health problems that you may notice are bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. If your pet is in a great deal of pain then they may also refrain from eating. 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?
If left untreated, severe periodontal disease can lead to disease of the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
Brushing your pet’s teeth will help to remove the plaque. The toothpaste for pets is safe to swallow and comes in flavors your pet will enjoy. It will bind with bacteria in the mouth as soon as it touches your pet’s saliva and prevents bacteria.
We recommend Hill’s T/D for dogs and cats. This diet has a larger kibble size and a special design that allows the teeth to be cleaned all the way to the gum line. Dogs and cats love to chew, and by eating this diet it helps clean the plaque off the teeth at every meal!
Water additives can be introduced slowly so that they are more dilute until your pet gets used to the taste. These act as mouthwash to decrease the population of bacteria in your dog’s mouth in order to decrease plaque formation.
By chewing on safe products, your pet will also mechanically remove tartar. Make sure you stay away from things that are too hard as they will break your pet’s teeth. Did you know that your pet’s enamel is weaker than a human’s? Please avoid bones, deer antlers, and hard nylon-based toys.
We recommend CET Hextra Chews for dogs and CET Intelligent Cat Bites.