Dentistry

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have oral disease by age three. It is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets. Common signs of oral disease include tartar build up, red and swollen gums, bad breath, changes in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the faces, and swelling under the eyes. Continued disease results in exposed tooth roots, oral ulcers, infections and abscesses. The four year old Yorkie on the right had severe dental disease at a young age and required multiple tooth extractions.

A veterinarian should evaluate your pet's dental health at least once a year. We recommend this because bacteria and food debris accumulates around a pet's teeth and if left unchecked, will cause deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay results in irreversible periodontal disease and even tooth loss. Toy breed dogs have a problem with retaining their baby teeth. As the adult teeth come in, the baby teeth don't fall out. This causes food and hair to wrap around the teeth and disease starts destroying both the adult and baby teeth. There are other reasons to pay attention to pet's dental health as well. Dental disease affects other organs in the body. Bacteria in the mouthcan get into the blood stream and cause infections in the heart valves, kidneys, and other organs. Oftentimes, blood work is done to check for disease thorough out the rest of the body.