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April 2015 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
PET HEALTH
Why is Dental Care Important for my Pet?
By Dr. Kimberly Sears, Village Animal Hospital
You are a responsible pet owner.
You take good care of your pet by feeding him the right food, exercising him
regularly, and taking him to the veterinarian for wellness exams. But do you
always remember to take care of your
pet’s teeth?
Pets can develop dental disease and
other dental problems, just like people.
You can avoid many of these problems
by taking your pet to your veterinarian
for regular dental checkups and establishing a good dental-care routine with
your pet at home.
What are the
physical signs of
dental disease?
Dental disease starts when soft
plaque (the thin, sticky film that builds
up on the teeth) inflames the gums, a
condition called “gingivitis.” If your pet
has bad breath and reddened or bleeding gums, it could be from gingivitis.
Gingivitis can lead to “periodontitis” or inflammation of the tissues
around the teeth. If left untreated,
periodontitis can cause loss of teeth
and infection in the heart or kidneys.
Periodontitis also makes it painful to
eat; therefore, your pet could lose his
appetite and even lose weight.
Commonly, though, physical signs
of dental disease are not obvious, even
when it is advanced. That is why it’s
so important to have your pet’s teeth
checked regularly by a veterinarian.
What happens during a dental
cleaning and examination?
First, your veterinarian will examine
your pet to evaluate his health status.
The veterinarian may recommend pre-
Working with animals requires
patience, understanding, and,
above all, compassion; both for
the animal and for
their owners
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www.villageanimalhospital.net
1801 Alexandria Dr., Suite 180 • Lexington, KY 40504
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anesthetic blood work and other testing to confirm that your pet is at low
risk for complications from anesthesia.
Anesthesia is absolutely necessary for
a thorough cleaning and dental treatment.
During a dental cleaning, a veterinary professional examines your pet’s
mouth and looks for abnormalities
such as broken teeth, missing teeth,
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