Comprehensive Pet Dental Care
Routine dental care is an incredibly important component of your cat or dog's overall health. However, most pets don't get the oral hygiene care that they need to keep their gums and teeth healthy.
At our Clovis pet hospital, we provide complete dental care for your pet, from basics such as dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, to dental x-rays and surgeries.
We always make a point of providing dental health education to pet owners about their pet's dental care for lifelong health and well-being.
Dental Surgery in Clovis
We know that discovering that your pet requires dental surgery may be overwhelming. We aim to make this process as stress-free as possible, both for you and your pet.
We will do everything we can to make sure that your pet's experience with us is a comfortable and easy one. We will break down each step of the surgical process in detail with you before your pet's procedure, including both preparation and post-operative requirements.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Just like your own annual checkup with your dentist, your cat or dog should visit us for a dental exam at least once each year. Pets who are more prone the oral health issues than others may also need to see us more often than that.
Family Pet Hospital 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.
- Bad breath
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Assessment
A comprehensive physical exam will be provided before administering an anesthetic to your pet at their dental exam.
We will take blood 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
Next, the teeth are cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and x-rays are taken. We then apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth.
The last step of this process is to apply a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If we find advanced periodontal disease in your pet, our vets will develop a treatment plan and speak with you about it.
- Prevention
Ideally, a follow-up examination will be scheduled two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
During this visit, we will discuss implementing teeth brushing at home. We can also recommend products that can help improve your pet's oral health.
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?
Our pets can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral health.
Just like in humans, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not brushed away regularly.
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 that your pet's behavior may be an indicator of oral health issues? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, they may drool excessively, paw at their mouth or teeth, yawn more than usual, grind their teeth or stop grooming themselves.
Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may even suffer from pain that keeps them 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?
Besides causing problems ranging from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Tumors and cysts may develop. Your pet may also feel generally unwell. In addition, diseases that are related or long-standing oral health issues in pets may significantly shorten their lifespan and cause serious pain.
This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet tooth 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 instances, surgery will be required to treat a more serious oral health condition. Your pet will be given anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure that they are comfortable and don't experience any pain. Special care will be required after oral surgery once your pet has returned home.
If you notice any of these symptoms, 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 regularly and give them dental chew toys. These will 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
Similar to the anesthesia provided to nervous or anxious patients by dentists, our Clovis vets provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures.
This puts less stress on the animals, ensuring a veterinary experience that is as easy, comfortable, and stress-less as possible. Anesthesia also allows us to run diagnostic tests such as X-rays on the mouth as needed.
