Dental

Human and pet oral care needs are very similar! The big difference is that we brush and floss daily to prevent dental problems. Because dogs and cats do not, they are subject to the same conditions and diseases we would suffer in the absence of daily preventative care. These include tartar and plaque buildup, bad breath and gum disease with the risk of more serious consequences.

At Frankford Pet Hospital, we care very much for your pet and take the potential health risks of anesthesia very seriously. In most cases, anesthesia is very safe and causes no harm to animals with healthy organ systems. Anesthesia, however, poses some risks when underlying disease from advanced age or other causes is present and not detected. Damage to other organ systems caused by dental disease must also be addressed. We require blood testing before anesthesia to rule out life threatening diseases that are not obvious by examining your pet.

Feline Oral Resorbtive Lesions Extra baby teeth and damage to canine enamel Oral Nasal Fistula

Just as in people, surgery is always done with IV access and prescribed fluids containing electrolytes and other balanced ingredients that support hydration, blood pressure and other organ system function during the anesthesia and recovery period. The IV also adds an element of safety in the unlikely event that something should happen during anesthesia. We would have fast and easy access to a vein to administer emergency medications if needed.

The most time consuming part of the dental treatment is scaling each tooth surface. We use the most modern power and air driven equipment which is very similar to the equipment that your dentist uses on you, to provide the best results with the least amount of injury to tooth surfaces or gums. Deep gingival pockets require through cleaning and removal of infectious debris. After the teeth are clean, each tooth is then polished with a pumice to smooth the surface. OraVet, a barrier gel that bonds to the tooth surface prevention bacteria from attaching and forming plaque, is also available. You simply apply this weekly to the upper outside teeth using your finger, applicator or chew treat and forget about it for a week. It spreads to the other teeth with tongue movement and ultimately provides protection to all teeth. We send home an 8 week supply. For smaller dogs, this kit usually lasts longer. OraVet should be used weekly for the life of your pet.

These are signs and symptoms you can observe which indicate poor oral health.
Look for:

• Bad Breath
  
• Bleeding or red inflamed gums
  
• Mouth Sensitivity
  
• Brown deposits on the teeth (tartar)
  
• Loose or missing teeth
  
• Pawing at the mouth
  
• Difficulty chewing
  
• Appetite and/or weight loss

Your pet's food is good place to start. Some foods are better than others to help slow the formation of plaque and tartar. Hills T/D is a diet we recommend at Frankford Pet Hospital. Brushing your pet's teeth regularly is also very beneficial.

The frequency of oral exams and cleaning depends on you pet's individual needs. if your pet hasn't been in for an exam recently, contact us today to schedule one. After a full evaluation of your pet's oral health, we will recommend a treatment plan which may include blood work. This is also a good time to discuss preventative oral care for your pet.

Prevention is the key to avoiding costly and sometimes painful problems with your pet's teeth.