You visit the dentist for cleanings and dental exams, so your pet should also have the gift of routine dental care. Good dental health is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy. Our vets at Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic in Kerrville, Texas, recommend scheduling a professional cleaning every six months to keep your pet’s teeth in their best shape.
Dental disease could have a notable impact on the time and quality of your pet’s life. If left untreated, harmful bacteria can be released into your pet’s bloodstream increasing risks for kidney, liver or heart disease and sometimes causing damage to vital organs. If you notice the following symptoms in your pet, you should schedule a dental appointment for our pet with our veterinary staff as soon as possible.
Decreased appetite or weight loss due to difficulty chewing
Discomfort when mouth or gums are touched
Loose or missing teeth
Red or swollen gums which can cause pain and affect appetite
Extremely bad breath (one of the primary signs of periodontal disease)
A yellow-brown crust near the gum line
Dental Disease Statistics
Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic comes in contact with more pets with this disease Statistics show that dental disease is the most common disease in dogs—92% of dogs over the age of three are affected. Even though it’s less prevalent in cats, statistics show that 85% of cats over the age of three struggle with the disease. However, scheduling annual pet dental cleanings can add 2-4 years to your pet’s life!
Why Do Pets Need Dental Care?
Both dogs and cats need regular dental cleanings as they extend both the length and quality of their life. Some benefits of regular dental cleanings include:
Prevention of expensive and advanced pet dental procedures
Fewer teeth extractions (pulling) for your pet
The ability to chart and evaluate pet dental disease over a period of time
Dental Care at Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic
Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic has an expert staff of licensed veterinarians equipped with the latest technologies to make pet dental visits safe and easy. Some of these dental procedures include:
Dental X-rays
Teeth cleaning and polishing
Deciduous (pet baby teeth), surgical and routine tooth extractions
Full mouth teeth removal
Use of radiosurgery or laser surgery for gingival surgery
Repair of oronasal fistula
Oral surgery for dogs or cats
Mandibulectomy
Jaw repair (fracture)
Pet Dental Cleanings - What to Expect?
While under general anesthesia, your dog or cat can receive a thorough dental cleaning. We use safe, local anesthesia and monitoring for your pet’s heart rate, oxygen, and respiration.
Blood tests are done to help uncover any underlying illnesses before dental care begins. We examine the animal’s entire mouth, including lips, tongue, gums, and teeth. This guarantees us that anesthetizing is safe for your pet.
The dental care procedure will include polishing of the teeth for a smooth surface and cleaning above and below the gum line. This helps create a resistance to the buildup of plaque. We also offer fluoride treatments to help strengthen enamel and reduce overall tooth sensitivity.
To schedule an appointment or ask any questions you may have about our dental services at Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic in Kerrville, Texas, call our offices today!
