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Dental Cleanings and Extractions
Animal Doctor provides dental cleanings/extractions for dogs and cats. We accept referrals and provide second opinions.
Description: A surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, and involves ultrasonic scaling and polishing of your pet’s teeth, including beneath the gum line, and evaluation of the gingiva and teeth for tooth fractures, infections, masses, or loose teeth.
Symptoms: If your pet is dropping food, only wanting to eat wet food or soft treats, is pawing at the mouth, or has halitosis (bad breath), this can indicate periodontal disease. Nearly 80% of all dogs and cats over the age of 3 years have some stage of periodontal disease
What to look for: You may see tartar build up on the tooth surfaces, gingivitis (gum inflammation), halitosis, loose teeth, and/or infection along the gum line.
How does it happen? Things that can contribute to dental disease and the need for regular dental scaling and polishing include: Tooth crowding, dogs that groom themselves, poor nutrition, genetic predisposition, and abnormal bites.
What questions do we ask?
- What changes have you noticed?
- How long have you noticed a change?
- Any recent bad breath or discharge from the mouth?
- Any recent masses or swellings in the mouth, tongue and/or lips?
- Any recent discoloration in gums, tongue, lips, or teeth noted?
- Any recent changes in appetite?
- What kind of food are you feeding? How much per day?
- Any recent changes in thirst/ urination?
- Have you tried anything at home? Do you brush or give dental treats?
- Any history of allergies/ chewing fur/ excessive grooming?
- When was his/ her last dental cleaning?
- Is the patient on any medications? Include dosage and frequency.
What are the steps we take to treat your pet?
- We will evaluate your pet’s teeth and give you a dental estimate based on the exam findings, age of your pet, previous medical history, and any concerns you may have
How do we arrive at a diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan?
- We base our diagnosis and treatment plan on results of the oral exam, diagnostic testing results, digital dental x-rays, and the overall health of the patient.
Animal Doctor Dental Cleanings/Extractions potential treatment plans?
- When indicated we perform preanesthetic or senior blood and urine testing prior to anesthesia.
- Intravenous catheter and fluids are recommended.
- Dental scaling and polishing under general anesthesia, with evaluation of the teeth and gingiva, as well as the entire oral cavity.
- Digital dental x-rays are recommended to evaluate tooth roots and bone.
- Extraction of diseased or fractured teeth with suturing of the extraction sites when indicated.
- Treatment of gingival pockets with a medicated paste.
- Subcutaneous or intravenous pain / anti-inflammatory and/or antibiotic medications.
- Potential oral pain / anti-inflammatory and/or antibiotic medications.
What results have we seen
What are the risks if dental disease is left untreated?
Tooth and bone loss; tooth, gingival and bone infection; pain and decreased quality of life; potential to seed infection from the mouth to other organs (heart, lungs, brain, liver, kidneys, etc.).
Animal Doctor Provider
Dr. Leigh Wacker has 8 years of clinical experience managing dental disease in companion animals
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