Did you know that dental disease is linked to other problems such as heart disease? So there’s no getting around this one. If you want your pet to live a healthy life, they need to have a healthy mouth!
As many as 8 in 10 pets in Cannington and the surrounding areas have dental disease. It is the most common form of disease we see in our patients. Dental disease strikes when plaque and tartar accumulate on the teeth and lead to infection of the gums. Bacteria from this infection can travel in the blood stream around the body and can impact the heart as well other organs such as the lungs and kidneys.
The good news is that many of these problems can be reversed if dental hygiene is improved – and that’s where we come in!
If our vets detect dental disease we will recommend a dental procedure to help remove the plaque and tartar and resolve any infection. We will also remove any diseased teeth that might be causing your pet significant pain.
Here are Cannington Vet’s top 3 tips for preventing dental disease in your pet:
1. Get your pet’s mouth checked by us. An expert vet or vet nurse will be able to spot problems early – this is essential to good dental care. A thorough dental check at least once a year is vital.
2. Get your pet eating the correct food. A premium quality dry diet is essential for good oral health. There are excellent dental diets available such as Hill’s Prescription t/d diet and they really work so ask us for the best recommendation to suit your cat or dog. Also finding a dental chew that suits you and your pet is important. Please ask us about what options are available and what might be best for your pet.
3. Brush your pet’s teeth. It takes a dedicated owner and cooperative pet to do this but brushing is considered gold standard pet dentistry in Perth – just make sure you use a pet-safe toothpaste.
The same as for humans, we recommend your pets get a dental check up at least once a year. Regular checks will help to protect your pet’s overall health and might just save their life!
If you have any questions about your pet’s oral health, give Cannington Vet Hospital a call.
