College Park Animal Hospital
Overview
Studies show that 50% of all dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease. That number jumps to 80% in pets that are 3 years of age or older. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause infection, pain, and tooth loss over time. It can also lead to serious health problems like microscopic changes in the heart, liver, and kidneys. Because of this, we recommend an annual veterinary dental healthcare examination for all pets.
Dentistry & Dental Digital Radiology
Keeping our pets smiling brightly and their mouths smelling fresh and healthy is a priority for all pet owners. Unfortunately, oral health can often be overlooked until there is a problem. Should your pet need a dental cleaning, the veterinary team at Michigan Road Animal Hospital at 96th Street is here to help!
So what happens if we recommend a dental cleaning for your pet? Dental prophylaxis is a bit more involved in pets than in people. Since they won’t voluntarily open wide, general anesthesia is required to allow a complete oral exam, thorough cleaning, probing, and charting of the teeth as well as radiographs (or x-rays) of your pet’s mouth.
Without full sedation, it is impossible to truly address all problem areas, especially the areas under the gum line. Additionally, sedation & anesthesia during a dental cleaning allow us to lessen your pet’s stress & discomfort during the procedure. Although anesthesia will always have risks, it’s safer now than ever and continues to improve so that the risks are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits.
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is either done the day of your pet’s dentistry procedure or up to a week or two beforehand, to give us an added measure of safety before administering sedation and anesthesia.
As an extra measure of safety, we place an IV catheter for the administration of IV fluids during your pet’s dental procedure, and in case emergency medications need to be administered. Digital dental radiographs are part of our CORE dentistry procedures, too! Just like at our dentist, dental radiographs allow us to evaluate the roots and underlying bone health of your pet’s teeth. If needed, our doctors are proficient and skilled at performing oral surgery right at our office. In some cases, we may have to refer your pet to a specialist as that is an option, too. As always, we will assess whether your pet needs for antibiotics or additional pain medication throughout the procedure.
Typically, we will just need your pet for the day on the scheduled day of their cleaning. We will want to admit your pet early in the morning that day. Special care is taken to provide detailed home-dental care instructions for your pet’s continued oral health when you pick your pet up, and recheck visits are often part of the process to evaluate your pet’s continued oral health after the procedure.
Your veterinary team at Michigan Road Animal Hospital at 96th Street is here to make sure your pet is happy, healthy, and pain-free. Oral health is a super important part of that equation–and our entire team is not only trained but dedicated to this philosophy! Have questions? Need an appointment for your pet?
Call or text us today at (317) 228-0645 or click to book your appointment for your fur baby, today!
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