Signs of Poor Oral Health

• Bad breath
• Sensitive around mouth area
• Pawing at the mouth
• Difficulty eating and chewing food
• Loss of appetite
• Bleeding from the mouth area

If you notice any of the above signs, your pet may need a dental cleaning. We will first need to perform an oral exam on your pet to determine if your pet needs a dental cleaning. A dental cleaning does require your pet to be under anesthesia. Before being put under anesthesia, we may require a blood test to be performed that may uncover some underlying issues. Your pet will also need to start a round of antibiotics prior to the dental cleaning. When the teeth are cleaned, or extractions done, harmful bacteria can be released into the bloodstream.

Even though a professional cleaning may still be required, there are steps you can take at home to help reduce the severity of dental disease.

• Brush your pet’s’ teeth (it is important to use a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for pets
• Use dental chews or an oral rinse
• Diet change