Dental disease is one of the most common medical problems we see in small animal practice; in addition to leaving your pet's breath less than desirable, periodontal disease can have some serious systemic problems.  Plaque can cause small abscesses in internal organs such as the liver and spleen, and this bacteria can also attach to heart valves and cause cardiac dysfunction.  We also see that dental disease can cause low-grade, chronic inflammation, and pain that can affect appetite and body condition.
    There are several stages of dental disease.  Early dental disease can be effectively treated with home care, such as brushing with pet-specific toothpaste, dental chews and treats, and enzymatic oral rinses/products.  More severe periodontal disease requires full examination and dental prophylaxis under anesthesia to determine appropriate treatment.
    During a dental prophylaxis, your pet's teeth will be thoroughly scaled with an ultrasonic scaler, and all teeth will be probed and charted by the veterinarian to identify any obvious areas of pathology.  Digital dental radiographs can be taken to look for disease hidden beneath the gum tissue, and necessary treatment, including surgical extractions, can be performed.  We employ thorough pain control measures including dental nerve blocks and post-operative pain medications for use at home, if needed.  We will then polish all teeth and apply a fluoride foam to protect the enamel. 
    We do require pre-anesthetic labs to ensure your pet is able to safely metabolize and excrete anesthesia, and we also place an intravenous catheter and run fluids to maintain blood pressure and organ perfusion.  General anesthesia allows for more thorough charting and treating, and the endotracheal tube protects the airway and lungs from water and fluids.  We are also constantly monitoring our patients and recording their anesthetic plane and vital signs to be able to anticipate any necessary changes in anesthetic level.
    While your pet will go home with a much healthier mouth (and body)- you will enjoy the benefits of a white smile and not-so-doggy breath.
    For the entire month of February, Riverwalk is offering 15% off all dental services (including: examination, pre-anesthetic labs, cleaning, radiographs, medications, etc...).  So, if you think your pet's smile could use some work, give us a call!