February 2007 is Pet Dental Month
Most pet owners may not be aware that dental disease is the single greatest cause of health problems in small animals. Proper dental care will significantly increase your pet’s lifespan and improve their quality of life. Ongoing research continues to confirm that untreated dental disease is a key factor in the development of heart disease, liver abscesses, chronic kidney failure, and many other serious and debilitating conditions. Further, research continues to show that the majority of pets (about 80% of cats and dogs over the age of three) have some degree of dental disease. There are three important steps to maintaining good dental health in any pet:
Step 1 - Dental Exam
Every one of our annual exams includes a thorough dental exam. If we find signs of disease, we will recommend a treatment plan. As with most diseases, dental conditions are much easier to treat early on, and it is always better to prevent problems than to treat them once they are established.
Step 2 - Home Care
Plaque should be removed from your pet’s teeth every day before it mineralizes into tartar. Brushing your pet’s teeth properly each day will remove plaque buildup. In addition, you can feed specially formulated foods that help reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar from teeth.
Step 3 - Regular checkups
We monitor the progress of your pet’s preventative program; so regular dental checkups are essential. For pets that form tartar quickly or those with a history of oral problems, more frequent examinations and cleaning may be advised.
