Pet Dental Care

Pet Dental Care From Our Veterinarian

We all want what is best for our pets. We play with them. We provide them with toys, training, and treats. We give them the best food we can afford, and we make sure they have all their shots. But most pet parents don't know that pet dental care is part of every pet's heath maintenance. Here are three things your veterinarians at West Plains Animal Hospital, serving Airway Heights and Spokane, want you to know about pet dental care.

Pet Dental

Many pet health problems start with poor or no pet dental care.

Dogs and cats that have dental problems can't tell us why they are in pain. Gum infections that are left untreated can circulate to the heart, lungs, and kidneys and cause chronic inflammation that leads to kidney, heart, and vascular disease. Without pet dental care, nearly all dogs and cats develop serious dental problems that can lead to poor general health:

  • Veterinary studies tell us that 31 percent of dogs have missing teeth, 60 percent have jawbone damage due to gum disease, 61 percent have hardened tartar between their gums and teeth, and 80 percent have gum infections.
  • The statistics for cats are equally alarming. Between 25 and 75 percent of cats "resorb" their teeth due to improper diet, usually too much vitamin D. These cats have teeth that go missing due to poor diet. Most cats that are placed in veterinary hospitals for treatment of kidney disease have chronic gum infections. And up to 90 percent of cats have cavities.

As a general rule, the smaller the animal, the bigger the dental problems. And there are certain breeds that are particularly prone to dental problems, such as Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Greyhounds, Sheep Dogs, and Maltipoos among dogs, and Persians, Chinchillas, and Exotic Shorthairs among cats.

Good pet dental care starts at home

The earlier in a pet's life you help it become accustomed to your brushing its teeth, the longer it will keep its teeth and the longer you will have its companionship in your life.

Pets need pet toothbrushes and pet toothpaste. Your toothbrush won't reach all the spots that need cleaning. And your toothpaste will cause your pet's mouth moderate to severe irritation that will make persuading your pet to allow you to brush their teeth more difficult.

Training your dog or cat to accept tooth brushing isn't something you accomplish in a single day. You need to give them a few days to learn that toothbrushes won't hurt them. They will need a few more days to learn to like the flavor of pet toothpaste. And it will take more than one session on more than one day to assure your pet that tooth brushing won't hurt. But daily dental care for your pet is an opportunity to bond and a major boost to their long-term health.

Call West Plains Animal Hospital Today!

Even with the best pet dental care at home, dogs and cats will still develop plaque and cavities. Your veterinarians at West Plains Animal Hospital have the tools for pet dental care and the medications that keep your pets comfortable during the procedure. Request an appointment online or call us at (509) 624-3474.West Plains Animal Hospital Offices are located not far from Airway Heights at 10408 W Hwy 2 Suite 3, Spokane, WA 99224.

Office Hours

Monday:

8:00am

6:00pm

Tuesday:

8:00am

6:00pm

Wednesday:

8:00am

6:00pm

Thursday:

8:00am

6:00pm

Friday:

8:00am

5:30pm

Saturday:

8:00am

5:30pm

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

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