Dental Care for Dogs and Cats in Orange Park, FL
If you’re like most pet owners, your furry friend is like one of the family. You care about their welfare and well-being, and you want to do everything you can to keep them as healthy and happy as possible. You know that regular visits to your local veterinarian in Orange Park, are an essential part of doing that, but you may not be aware of how important good dental care for dogs and cats is to their overall health.
Quality dental care is just as important for your pet as it is for you and your other family members. At Focused Dental Care, we’re committed to providing your pet with the highest standard of dental care for dogs and cats possible. At our clinic, your pet is treated like one of the family.
Why Dental Care For Dogs And Cats Is Important?
Pets need high-quality dental care for the same reason humans do, to maintain good oral health and also to protect the rest of their body. If their teeth and gums aren’t well cared for with regular pet dentistry being provided both by your vet and at home, serious problems can arise that go well beyond just bad breath or a few cavities.
Dogs and cats are very susceptible to an insidious oral disease called periodontitis, or gum disease. In fact, most pets will begin to show some signs of periodontal disease by the time they are three years old. The primary cause of this disease is the buildup of plaque and tartar on teeth that aren’t cleaned on a regular basis. This plaque buildup extends down below the gum line and becomes the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria and microbes. The nutrients provided by the tartar and gum tissues allow these destructive invaders to grow and flourish.
The Consequences Of Untreated Periodontal Disease
The resulting infection can wreak havoc in your pet’s mouth, leading to loss of teeth, serious cavities, cracked, broken, and blackened teeth, painful, bleeding, and swollen gums, terrible breath, and problems with chewing and eating due to oral pain and discomfort. Left untreated long enough, the infection can worsen and spread, affecting internal organs including the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs, causing serious and potentially fatal damage.
The best way to prevent periodontal disease from developing and causing health problems in your pet is by having your local veterinarian perform regular dental examinations and teeth cleanings at least once a year thus dental care for dogs and cats. Early detection and intervention are absolutely essential for keeping periodontitis from becoming a serious health threat to your pet.
Symptoms Of Dental Problems In Cats And Dogs
Pets can’t speak to us to tell us when something is wrong with them, but they’ll often communicate it through the way they act. When they are having problems with their teeth and gums, cats and dogs may exhibit a variety of symptoms, both physical and behavioral. If they’re experiencing pain in their mouth, they may become moody and irritable and not want you to touch them on their head and jaw.
They might also display unusual chewing motions due to pain, or simply refuse to eat. There are also visible signs to be on the lookout for. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog or cat, you should schedule a dental examination with your veterinarian right away.
Unusually Sour Breath
Loose, Broken, or Missing Teeth
Swelling in The Gums, Jaw, and Cheeks
Discolored Teeth
Excessive Plaque and Tartar Buildup
Refusal to Eat and/or Noticeably Reduced Appetite
Pain and/or Bleeding from the Mouth
Abnormal Chewing and Excessive Drooling, or Food Falling from the Mouth
Pet Dentistry Services We Provide
At Focused Pet Care, we are fully qualified, well-equipped, and highly experienced at providing full-service dental care for dogs and cats in Orange Park, FL. We maintain a modern dental and surgical theater with the latest medical equipment and devices at our facility, along with a complete diagnostic laboratory. Here are some of the pet dentistry services we provide at our hospital:
- Complete dental examinations
- Digital Dental Radiology (X-rays)
- Plaque and tartar removal
- Cavity fillings
- Cleaning and polishing of teeth
- Oral surgery, including tooth extractions
- Abscess and cyst removal
As mentioned above, scheduling an annual dental exam and cleaning for your dog or cat with your local family vet is crucial for maintaining their overall well-being. It can’t be stressed enough that it’s the most effective way to prevent tooth loss and decay caused by periodontal disease, as well as dangerous infections that can affect internal organs such as the heart, lungs, and liver. When you bring your pet to Focused Pet Care in Orange Park, FL for a dental cleaning and exam, this is what you can expect to happen.
PreExam Screening
Before the procedure, your vet will sit down with you to give you a detailed explanation of what will happen during the dental exam and teeth cleaning process. If you have any questions or concerns, this is a good time to let them know. Your veterinarian will also conduct a thorough physical examination of your dog or cat, and laboratory analysis of blood and urine samples will be performed to identify any potential underlying health problems that may cause complications. Additionally, your vet will provide you with instructions on how to properly prepare your pet for the procedure on the night before your appointment. In general, you’ll have to withhold food from your pet after about 10 p.m., although water is OK.
During The Procedure
To make sure your pet remains calm and immobile during the procedure, they will be administered general anesthesia. Proper blood pressure will be maintained with extra fluids introduced through the use of an IV. Your pet’s vital signs will be constantly monitored by a veterinary technician for safety, looking for any indication of a problem or abnormality.
To detect any hidden dental issues, your veterinarian will take a full set of X-rays. They will also examine the gums and teeth, looking for any issues under the gum line. Any cavities will be filled, and if a tooth cannot be saved, it may be extracted. After any necessary treatment, your pet’s teeth will be thoroughly cleaned of plaque and tartar and polished for a clean, healthy appearance.
Post Procedure
After the procedure, your pet will spend some time in a recovery area for rest and monitoring, and then you can take them home. You should plan for them to spend the entire day at the clinic. Your vet will discuss the results of the examination with you and recommend any additional dental treatment if necessary. They will also provide you with instructions for at-home post-procedure care and provide you with any necessary medication. Additionally, your vet will provide you with advice and recommendations on how to improve your pet’s dental health through the use of special treats, chews, and diets specially designed to improve oral hygiene and health.
Dr. Holloway and the staff at Focused Pet Care in Orange Park, FL, are ready to provide your pet with the highest quality surgical and dental care for dogs and cats and always at the most affordable cost. If you have any questions or concerns about care and treatment at our clinic, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to meeting you and your pet.