Vital Dental Health Care For Dogs & Cats
Healthy teeth and gums are essential to the overall health and well-being of our feline and canine companions. Yet, many pets don't get the care they need to maintain good oral health. We are here to help!
At Mapleview Animal Clinic, we offer a range of dental care services for pets, including basic procedures such as oral exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, as well as advanced services such as dental radiographs, extractions of unhealthy teeth, and biopsies of any oral lesions.
We also provide pet parents with guidance on home dental care for their companions. Speak with our veterinarians to learn more about caring for your dog or cat's oral health.
Teeth Cleaning & Examinations
Detecting oral health issues early can help prevent your pet from experiencing pain due to issues such as tooth decay, broken teeth or periodontal disease.
Regular dental exams from our veterinarians allow us to detect oral health problems early and can play a significant role in maintaining or even restoring your dog or cat's oral health.
A pet dental appointment typically involves the following:
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Pre-Anesthetic Assessment
Dog and cat dental procedures are performed while your pet is under anesthesia. This reduces stress for your pet and allows us to perform all the dental care your companion needs safely and efficiently.
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your dog or cat before they are anesthetized. Bloodwork is performed to assess organ function.
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Administering Anesthesia
Anesthesia is administered to all patients undergoing dental procedures. Medications are adjusted to account for the needs of your pet. During the procedure, a dedicated Veterinary Technician will monitor the patient's vital signs.
We anesthetize patients for veterinary dental procedures to allow us to do a thorough oral examination, check for signs of periodontal disease, and radiograph the teeth to assess the health of the tooth roots. This cannot be done properly with your pet awake and would be stressful for them.
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Oral Examination & Cleaning
Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will conduct an oral examination, dental radiographs and chart the findings. The veterinarian will contact you to discuss the findings and treatment needed, which may include tooth removal and/or tissue biopsy.
Your pet's teeth will be cleaned (including under the gum line), polished and a fluoride treatment applied to each tooth.
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Follow-up Exam & Home Care
If your pet had any teeth removed, a follow-up examination will be scheduled 2 weeks after the dental procedure.
During this visit, we will assess the healing of the surgery/extraction sites and review continued at-home oral health care.
Dental Surgery in Barrie
We understand that finding out that your pet needs dental surgery can be overwhelming and we want to make this process as stress-free as possible, for you and your furry friends.
We'll do everything we can to ensure your pet's experience with us is comfortable and easy.
We'll be sure to break down each step of the process to you in detail before the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
Signs of Dental Health Issues in Pets
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- 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
- Dropping food from the mouth
- Discoloured teeth
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
To learn more about pet dental care, read through our answers to these frequently asked questions from our clients.
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Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Just like in humans, poor oral hygiene in dogs and cats can lead to the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Over time, they may develop uncomfortable periodontal disease or tooth decay. Routine cleanings help prevent these problems.
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How often does my dog or cat need their teeth cleaned?
Our veterinarians recommend that most dogs and cats attend a dental checkup once a year. Pets facing a higher risk of dental problems may benefit from annual dental cleanings.
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What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
As well as causing problems such as cavities, bad breath and periodontal disease, poor oral health can lead to diseases of the liver, kidney and heart.
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What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
While many pet parents find the idea far-fetched, brushing your dog or cat's teeth regularly and feeding dental diets and/or using water additives, can help control the buildup of plaque and prevent health problems from developing.
Hard chew toys, such as antlers, bones and nylon bones are not recommended, as they can wear down your pet's teeth and fracture (break) them. Good quality rubber toys, such as Kong chew toys, are preferred.
Speak to your veterinarian to learn more about caring for your dog or cat's teeth between veterinary appointments.
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Why does my pet require anesthesia for their dental appointment?
To properly assess your pet's teeth, we need to probe around each tooth, including checking under the gum line, and take radiographs of the teeth. For this to be done properly, the pet needs to be anesthetized. It is also important to assess any broken teeth for root exposure.
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What dental issues may require dental surgery as treatment?
Oral health issues that may require dental surgery include cracked or broken teeth, tooth decay, severe gum disease (periodontitis), and Feline stomatitis.