Veterinary Dental Services
Based on findings by the American Veterinary Dental Society, gum disease affects more than 80% of dogs and nearly 70% of cats by the age of three years old. Inflamed gums can release bacteria and toxins into the blood stream and cause health problems. Periodontal disease is an extremely common condition and is preventable with proper care and diet.
The Winnetka Animal Hospital offers veterinary dental services for both cats and dogs. It all starts with preventative care and education. Training your pet to get accustomed to brushings at an early age is important. Training older pets will require more patience but is still achievable. Our team can show you how to brush, what to pay attention to, and how to deal with an uncooperative pet.
Depending upon your animal's situation, we may recommend a change in diet, regular brushings and a toothpaste formulated for animals. If there is a large amount of plaque and calculus built up on your pet's teeth, a cleaning may be in order. Every animal's oral hygiene is different but we have the equipment and expertise to perform dental x-rays, cleanings and extractions.
Winnetka Animal Hospital features a state of the art digital dental radiography system. Using x-rays, small, localized images can be made of each tooth and the surrounding bone, identifying problem areas before they become infected or cause the animal pain. This allows us to not only properly diagnose dental problems, but follow your pet's dental health over time.
Our veterinarians are proficient in dental surgery and extractions. During dental procedures, anesthesia and pain is closely managed and adjusted for each individual patient as for any surgical procedure. Preventative dental care starts at home, ask us how!
Dental Warning Signs
- Bad Breath
- Pet stops eating
- Pet chews on one side of its mouth
- Pet whimpers, whines or rubs his face with his paw
- Abnormal amounts of drool
- Other behavior changes
If you notice any dental warning signs you should bring your pet in for an evaluation as untreated dental carries (cavities), abscesses, and fractures can cause your pet a great deal of pain and suffering.
