Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in dogs and cats. It is preventable when you bring your pet to the veterinarian for regular oral health examinations. Periodontal disease is an infection lying below the gum line that can lead to the loss of teeth, soft tissue and bone infections, bad breath, pain,and even jaw fractures. It can be prevented by having your pet examined and treated with professional dental cleaning on a regular basis. Often, by the time we see pets for dental cleaning it is too late to prevent the loss of teeth. Dental disease is painful and can lead to other infections in internal organs such as the heart and kidneys.
If your pet has bad breath, brown teeth or inflamed gums and you are concerned about dental disease, visit a veterinarian trained in veterinary dentistry. Dental radiography (x-ray) are essential to treat and diagnose dental disease. If your veterinarian does not have this training or equipment, take the time to find a veterinarian who does; or ask for a referral to a board-certified veterinary dentist.
For more information on oral health and pet dentistry visit the AVMA Pet Dental Health Month website. There are several podcasts and videos explaining the importance of pet oral health, signs of dental and periodontal disease and a step-by-step procedure to get your pet to accept daily teeth brushing.
To take advantage of this $50 savings, call to schedule an oral health evaluation for your pet.