Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning in Richmond, KY
Along with wellness and preventive care, dental care is a fundamental component of your pet’s long-term health plan. Many pets have poor oral hygiene due to lack of brushing and professional cleanings, which can result in gingivitis or even gum disease. Gum disease occurs as a result of calculus (hardened plaque) spreading below the gum line, attacking the tooth’s supporting tissues and eventually leading to the loss of that tooth.
Our veterinary team in Richmond understands the importance of cleaning your dog and cat’s teeth, because poor oral hygiene can have a detrimental affect on other parts of their body.
Need to talk with our team about cat or dog teeth cleaning? Give us a call at (859) 623-0008 or book an appointment online!
Pet Dental Services We Provide
Every aspect of your pet’s health is important to us. We encourage owners to get into the habit of brushing their dog and cat’s teeth, because this procedure greatly reduces plaque buildup and can easily prevent gum disease from occurring. To supplement your pet’s dental care at home, we offer the following services at our hospital:
- Preanesthetic blood work (recommended for all patients; required for senior patients) *
- Teeth cleaning (with ultrasonic scaling instrument)
- Teeth polishing
- Antiseptic rinse
- Oral mass removal
- Extractions
*Preanesthetic blood work helps us evaluate your pet’s internal health so we can ensure their safety during their dental procedure. All dental procedures require that pets be anesthetized; we cannot safely perform a proper teeth cleaning or extraction if your pet is awake.
We also carry OraVet chews and Hill’s dental treats for dogs, and would be happy to offer other recommendations to help you keep your pet’s mouth clean and fresh.
Managing Your Pet’s Dental Care
Not all pets can tolerate sitting still to have their teeth brushed, but if your pet is cooperative, we recommend brushing their teeth twice daily if possible. OraVet chews and dental treats provide a little extra boost to your pet’s at-home dental regimen.
To know if your pet needs to have their mouth checked by their veterinarian, there are a number of signs you can watch for, including:
- Bad breath
- Loose or broken teeth
- Yellow/brown teeth
- Excessive drooling
- Red, swollen gums
- Swelling of the face
- Pawing at face and/or mouth
- Dropping food from mouth
Keep in mind that your pet will do their best to hide signs of discomfort, and may continue to eat as normal. If you are concerned that your pet has dental issues, call us at (859) 623-0008 or use the online form to book an appointment.