Importance of Dental Care
Bad breath is not normal for our pets. Often it is the only sign of underlying gum disease. It’s important for your pet to have an annual dental exam with your veterinarian. Remember – 1 year of your pet’s life is like 6 of ours. Try and imagine if we didn’t brush our teeth or visit a dentist for 6 years!
The infection caused by periodontal disease can lead to pain, bad breath & tooth loss. Worse yet, these infections may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver & kidneys and shortening your pets life. We know that our pets don’t complain – even when they are uncomfortable or in pain. That’s why it is so important to make sure your pet receives regular dental care by your veterinarian.
An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).
Dental Care in Beaverton, Oregon At Murrayhill Vet Hospital
In many ways, the way your pet gets his/ her teeth cleaned is very similar to the way that your dentist cleans your teeth. The main difference is that your pet needs to be anesthetized during the procedure, as most would not stay still to allow the teeth cleaning to happen otherwise. Because of this, a visit with Murrayhill Vet Hospital before the cleaning appointment is essential to make sure that your pet has no health concerns. At Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital, we have a new high tech dental station that our doctors use to perform your pet’s cleaning. To find out more about how dental procedures are performed at Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital, see “Arlo Gets His Teeth Cleaned…The Murrayhill Way.”
Good Dental Care For Your Pet Continues At Home
We all know and understand the importance of good dental health care for ourselves. Most people brush their teeth regularly, but many of our pets don’t have the benefit of consistent home care. Brushing your pet’s teeth daily with an enzymatic toothpaste is the best home care you can provide. Other options include dental diets, and dental chew toys. Ask us about at-home dental strategies to help your pet live longer, healthier, and happier!
Call our Beaverton vet clinic, Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital, to learn more about the importance of pet dental care.