Why Pets Need Dental Care Early and Often!
They say you should only brush the teeth you want to keep, and the same is true for pets. Canine and feline companions need dental care, just as much as people do, but unfortunately, oral health is often one of the most neglected aspects of a pet’s health. In fact, more than half of all dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease by age 3, due to the lack of sufficient dental care.
Here at Arcata Animal Hospital, we want to prevent dental disease in any way we can. That’s why we offer comprehensive dental services and place such a strong emphasis on preventive care, which typically begins with the annual physical exam. During these exams, we will evaluate your pet’s teeth and let you know when it is time for a dental cleaning. If cleaning is done early and often, advanced periodontal disease can be avoided – saving your pet from pain and loss of teeth, and saving you money by avoiding more complicated and involved dental procedures.
Is Anesthesia Safe?
Yes, when anesthesia is performed with correct protocols tailored to the individual patient, and strict care is taken with monitoring, using modern equipment, and techniques, anesthesia is generally a very safe procedure. Maximizing safety and comfort is our top concern and starts with a complete physical examination of your pet to detect any physical problems. Blood work helps us to evaluate internal organ function and status, revealing any problems that might not be visible on a physical examination.
We have trained anesthetic nurse assistants dedicated to the monitoring and support of each individual anesthetized patient. In addition to the trained eyes, ears, and hands of our support team, we utilize advanced monitoring and support equipment to maximize the safety of every patient under our care for anesthesia, from the moment they are induced to the time they have progressed through their recovery and are returning home. Your pet is at a much greater risk of infection, pain, or other internal organ problems due to dental disease than they are from an anesthetic complication.
Anesthesia Free Dentistry is offered at some clinics, but it is not safe, and can be very harmful to your pet’s dental health. Please click on the link below for more information directly from the American Veterinary Dental College explaining the facts behind anesthesia-free dentistry.
If you think your pet is due for a dental checkup, or if you have any questions about our pet dentistry services in Arcata, let us know! We’ll be glad to help.