WHAT IS EFFECTIVE DENTAL CLEANING FOR YOUR DOG OR CAT?
Admin • May 12, 2017
Well-meaning pet owners can be quite surprised when their pet requires multiple tooth extractions when they have regularly had non-professional dental scaling done. The primary reason is that removal of dental tartar on the visible surfaces of the teeth is not enough. The effect is purely cosmetic. Tartar under the gum line within the gingival pocket can only be removed under anesthesia and left on the teeth will contribute to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease starts with inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and can lead to periodontitis which is loss of the tooth supporting tissues. Most small breed dogs have periodontal disease by 3 years of age. Untreated dental disease especially where extractions are needed is painful for your pet. Many times pet owners have commented on how much more active and engaging their pet is after dental treatment.
What about anesthesia? All anesthesia is not the same. Safe anesthesia requires first a thorough pre-operative examination and any appropriate laboratory testing. Gas anesthesia with a tracheal tube is administered as well as intravenous fluids and preemptive pain control. Usage of anesthesia requires close monitoring – per American Animal Hospital Association guidelines, one person monitors anesthesia while another performs the dental cleaning. Monitoring equipment is also used but it does not replace a dedicated anesthetist.
Effective dental cleaning is cleaning both sides of the tooth and again most importantly under the gum line with an ultrasonic scaler. Additional hand scaling especially of any exposed tooth root is done as needed. Periodontal pockets (space between the gum & bone and the tooth) are probed and measured. Teeth are then polished with paste as a smooth surface discourages plaque formation. The area under the gums is then irrigated to remove debris & paste. Deep pockets can be filled with an antibiotic gel to slow periodontal disease and sealants can be applied to the surface also to discourage plaque formation.
Dental x-rays (radiographs) are an essential step for most dental cleanings. Since introducing dental radiography to our practice over 19 years ago, I have been consistently surprised by the dental problems seen on radiographs that were not evident on dental examination. Following dental cleaning, home care is important and can include brushing, antiseptic rinses, applying sealants, dental diets, dental chews and antiseptics added to the drinking water.
Annual or for some, bi-annual dental exams are important for pets to live a long, healthy life. If you notice your cat or dog has bad breath and teeth that are covered in tartar; drooling or dropping food from the mouth; bleeding from the mouth or shying away when you touch the mouth area then dental or oral disease is likely present and an appointment with your veterinarian is recommended.
As pets grow older, their personalities mature and deepen. Unfortunately, they also develop health problems associated with older age. The following are problems we commonly see in older pets and methods to manage them.
There is currently a confirmed local outbreak of H3N2 canine influenza. Reports of influenza cases began around 01/10 and significantly increased in number 01/15. Cases have been reported primarily from San Jose, Campbell and Sunnyvale. The H3N2 strain of influenza Type A was first seen in the U.S. in Chicago in 2015. The virus is highly contagious and dogs can have mild symptoms that may be mistaken as so called “kennel cough” or more severe symptoms resulting in fever and pneumonia.
Holiday time presents some situations which can be hazardous to your pet’s health. A little planning and taking extra precautions will keep the holidays a happy time for everyone. Holiday food favorites can be dangerous for dogs watch out for “counter surfing” with food left on counters and serving areas. Fats, gravies and poultry skin can lead to gastrointestinal upset or worse pancreatitis. This inflammatory condition of the pancreas often requires hospitalized care and can be fatal. Keep trash where your pet cannot get to it. Food scraps and packaging can be delectable for your pet.
Inflammation within the joints, osteoarthritis , is common in dogs with about 20% suffering the effects. It is a slowly evolving disease with development of joint pain, stiffness and limitation of motion. The most common cause is abnormal stresses on normal cartilage. Even tiny imperfections in the joints can lead to mechanical breakdowns and the resultant inflammation. The progression of the disease can be affected by body weight, amount of exercise and genetic influences. The first symptom is loss of normal performance followed by stiffness after rest that usually lasts only a few minutes. Next, quality of life is affected – decreased exercise tolerance, not getting in or out of the car without help and decreased activity. These problems are frequently blamed on the pet’s increasing age. Progressive disease leads to lameness of a sudden or slow development. In some dogs there may be behavioral effects of joint discomfort including nervousness, aggression, depression and loss of appetite.
Superficial shell abscesses and erosions, or shell rot as it is often called, is a common problem in aquatic chelonians. The keratin scutes that cover the bony shell develop defects or develop dark, pale or pink discolorations. The problem usually occurs as a result of infrequent water changes, lack of a filtration system, filtration system not cleaned and/or too low an environmental temperature.
Miramonte Veterinary Hospital has been working with various rescue organizations to help kittens/cats and the occasional rat or rabbit find their permanent home. We do not receive any support or funding but do this as our contribution to the community. Kittens ready to go to their new home: Lemon Meringue: ~ 8 weeks old, male, castrated Chocolate Banana Cream: ~ 8 weeks old, female, spayed
Miramonte Veterinary Hospital has been working with various rescue organizations to help kittens/cats and the occasional rat or rabbit find their permanent home. We do not receive any support or funding but do this as our contribution to the community. Kittens ready to go to their new home: Coconut Cream: ~ 8 weeks old, male, castrated Chocolate Mousse: ~ 8 weeks old, male, spayed
Miramonte Veterinary Hospital has been working with various rescue organizations to help kittens/cats and the occasional rat or rabbit find their permanent home. We do not receive any support or funding but do this as our contribution to the community. Vanilla Bean is a female rat who has been spayed. She loves to sit on your lap. She is ready to be yours!
Few problems can be as frustrating for pet owners (and veterinarians) to deal with as allergies. For dogs and cats the itchy feeling can cause severe irritation and self-mutilation. Treating allergies can be as simple as an effective flea control. However, in severe cases obtaining complete control of allergies can be elusive and necessitate multiple treatments. It is almost always a lifelong problem and can be expensive to control.
The weather here is as perfect as it gets for being outdoors at any time of day and any day of the year. So when warm weather comes the effects on our pets can come as a surprise especially on a midday hike in the hills or traveling to a warmer area. The effects of heat stroke can come quickly and mortality is 50%. Heatstroke occurs when the body is generating more heat that it can get rid of. Short-nosed breeds of dogs, obese dogs, older dogs and those with upper airway or heart disease have more difficulty regulating body temperature. Nervous and excitable dogs along with those being excessively exercised are also at risk. Signs of heat stroke may begin with excessive panting and appearing distressed and becoming restless. Large amounts of saliva may come out of the mouth and/or nose. Weakness and difficulty in standing may then occur and you may notice gums looking bright red or purple/blue.
