Pet Dental Services
Bad breath in pets, especially dogs is often joked about, but is not a laughing matter. Bad breath is caused by small infections in the gums from plaque build up ( same as in humans). The plaque and any infected areas of the mouth contain bacteria which seed infection to other organs. The body is constantly fighting off these infections and over time this causes kidney and liver damage. Over the years this is directly linked to kidney failure. The heart, intestinal tract and joints can also be affected.
As pets don't brush their teeth like us, the risk of dental disease is quite high. It is up to you to keep your pet's teeth healthy. If you are not sure about your pet's teeth, give us a call and one of our nurses will be happy to look at your pet's teeth and discuss a course of action. If checking yourself, teeth should be white and the gums a healthy pink colour. Gently lift the lips and look for plaque, discoloured teeth, bad breath, inflamed gums or chipped or broken teeth. Both dogs and cats with dental problems can exhibit reluctance to eat or play with toys. Cats may show increased drooling or a failure to groom.
A dental check, which should be done yearly up may reveal a need for cleaning, polishing, tooth extraction or even just a simple change in diet to prevent dental disease and do away with annual dental cleans. A pet with healthy, clean teeth and gums will be happier, function better and live longer. Sanford Vet Geraldton is fully equipped for advanced pet denistry procedures including dental x-ray facilites.
We estimate up to 80% of pets older than 3 years suffer from some degree of periodontal and gingival disease. If your pet has a hint of bad breath, discoloured teeth or shows discomfort when you touch it's gums, then you need to seek dental care for your pet.
