Our veterinarians at Animal General provide restorative and preventative routine dental care and surgeries for dogs and cats in the Avon area.
Comprehensive Dental Care for Cats & Dogs
Routine care is the key to your dog or cat's oral and overall health. However, many pets don't receive the regular oral hygiene they need in order to keep their gums and teeth healthy.
At our veterinary hospital, we provide complete dental care for dogs and cats in the Avon area, ranging from basics like cleanings and polishing, to surgeries and dental x-rays.
We are also passionate about dental health education about home dental care for pet owners.
Dental Surgery in Avon
Finding out that your pet needs dental surgery can be overwhelming. We will always do our best to make sure that this experience is as comfortable as possible for both you and your pet. We will walk you through each step of the procedure and any preparation or post-operative care you will need to provide.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Your pet should be coming in annually for a routine veterinary dental checkup. Cats and dogs who are more prone to oral health issues might need to be brought in for these appointments more than that.
Animal General can assess, diagnose and provide dental care for cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of the symptoms below in your pet, it is time to bring them in for a dental appointment.
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Discolored teeth
- Assessment
We will conduct a comprehensive physical assessment of your pet before their dental exam.
We will take their urine and blood for testing to make sure it is safe for your companion to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet has been anesthetized, we will conduct an oral exam tooth by tooth and chart their teeth.
- Treatment
Next, we will clean and polish their teeth above and below the gum line. We will take x-rays and then apply fluoride to each individual tooth.
The final step is to apply a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is found, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
A complimentary follow-up appointment will be booked 2 weeks from the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
During this visit with us, we will chat with you about implementing oral hygiene practices at home, such as brushing your pet's teeth. 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 patients about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets are able to develop tooth decay or periodontal disease just like us when they have poor oral health and hygiene.
When animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build into tartar if it isn't regularly brushed away.
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 can indicate they are experiencing oral health issues? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, they might yawn excessively, paw at their gums and teeth, stop grooming properly, drool more than usual, or grind their teeth.
Other signs of oral health problems can include swollen gums, tooth discoloration and bad breath. 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?
On top of causing oral health problems from bad breath to periodontal disease and tooth decay, poor oral health can also lead to diseases elsewhere in the body, including the kidneys, heart, liver and other organs.
Cysts or tumors may develop. Your pet may also not feel well in in general (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!). In addition, diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet teeth 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 your pet's tartar and other debris from your dog or cat's teeth. If they identify gingivitis, cavities, or other conditions which need treatment, they will explain them to you and provide advice about the actions you should take to help your pet's oral health.
In some instances, surgery will need to be used to treat conditions which have become more serious. We will provide your pet with anesthesia before their surgery as well as pain management to ensure they don't experience discomfort or pain during the procedure. However, special care will be needed post-surgery.
- 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 on a regular basis 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
During dental procedures, cats and dogs won't understand what is happening. They will often react by struggling or biting. To help make the process as comfortable and safe as possible, we provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing any dental procedure. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to x-ray their mouth as needed.
Quality Veterinary Care You Can Rely On
Our experienced vets are passionate about improving the health of pets from across Farmington Valley. Get in touch today to request an appointment.