Glendale January Newsletter 2023
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20% Off in Janaury and February on Dental Cleanings!
As in previous years, we are again offering 20% dental cleanings for your pets. Dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems. |
Your pet's teeth should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet's mouth healthy.
Have your pet's teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:
-Bad breath
-Broken or loose teeth
-Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
-Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
-Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
-Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
-Pain in or around the mouth (which most pets do not show)
-Bleeding from the mouth
-Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems, and any changes in your pet's behavior should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. Always be careful when evaluating your pet's mouth, because a painful animal may bite.
WHY IS DENTAL HEALTH IMPORTANT?
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have oral disease by the age of 3 years, and it is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets. Can you imagine what your mouth would be like if you never brushed? A veterinarian should evaluate your pet's dental health at least once per year. We recommend this because bacteria and food debris accumulates around a pet's teeth and, if left untreated, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay results in irreversible periodontal disease and even tooth loss.
There are other reasons why you should pay close attention to your pet's dental health. Dental disease can affect other organs in the body: bacteria in the mouth can get into the blood stream and may cause serious kidney infections, liver disease, lung disease, and heart valve disease. Oral disease can also indicate that another disease process is occurring elsewhere in a pet's body. A thorough physical exam combined with appropriate laboratory work can determine if this is the case.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have oral disease by the age of 3 years, and it is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets. Can you imagine what your mouth would be like if you never brushed? A veterinarian should evaluate your pet's dental health at least once per year. We recommend this because bacteria and food debris accumulates around a pet's teeth and, if left untreated, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay results in irreversible periodontal disease and even tooth loss.
There are other reasons why you should pay close attention to your pet's dental health. Dental disease can affect other organs in the body: bacteria in the mouth can get into the blood stream and may cause serious kidney infections, liver disease, lung disease, and heart valve disease. Oral disease can also indicate that another disease process is occurring elsewhere in a pet's body. A thorough physical exam combined with appropriate laboratory work can determine if this is the case.
WHAT ARE SYPMTOMS AND SIGNS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
* Bad breath (halitosis)
* Plaque and tartar build-up (the brown gunk on your pet's teeth)
* Red and swollen gums
* Broken tooth/teeth
* Excessive drooling, blood tinged drool
* Reluctance to eat, especially dry food, or to play with chew toys
* Chewing with or favouring one side of the mouth, painful chewing
* Pawing at or rubbing the muzzle/mouth
* Bleeding from the mouth
* Swollen/draining tracts under (or in front of) the eye
* Sudden change in behaviour (aggressive or withdrawn)
* Chronic eye infections or drainage with no exact cause or cure
* Inability to open or close the mouth, reluctance to touch or handling of mouth
* Discoloured tooth/teeth
* Abnormal discharge from nose
* A mass/growth in the mouth
* Bad breath (halitosis)
* Plaque and tartar build-up (the brown gunk on your pet's teeth)
* Red and swollen gums
* Broken tooth/teeth
* Excessive drooling, blood tinged drool
* Reluctance to eat, especially dry food, or to play with chew toys
* Chewing with or favouring one side of the mouth, painful chewing
* Pawing at or rubbing the muzzle/mouth
* Bleeding from the mouth
* Swollen/draining tracts under (or in front of) the eye
* Sudden change in behaviour (aggressive or withdrawn)
* Chronic eye infections or drainage with no exact cause or cure
* Inability to open or close the mouth, reluctance to touch or handling of mouth
* Discoloured tooth/teeth
* Abnormal discharge from nose
* A mass/growth in the mouth
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A DENTAL PROPHYLAXIS
The procedure for cleaning your pet's teeth (called a dental prophylaxis) is no different from that which we experience at our own dentist. The only complication is that our pets won't just sit still and say "Ahh"! A general anesthetic is required in order to safely scale, probe, assess and polish all surfaces of all of the teeth. We also take routine oral x-rays to ensure your pet's teeth are healthy above and below the gum line. We use ultrasonic tools to clean each tooth thoroughly - above and below the gum line. Our veterinarians and technicians polish teeth to create a smooth, lustrous tooth surface that is more resistant to plaque buildup. Fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity. Advanced dental care is available, including root canals, caps and braces through specialist referral.
Providing a variety of safe chew toys and, if and when possible, practicing a routine of regular brushing can help decrease the number of dental procedures your pet requires in a lifetime.
The procedure for cleaning your pet's teeth (called a dental prophylaxis) is no different from that which we experience at our own dentist. The only complication is that our pets won't just sit still and say "Ahh"! A general anesthetic is required in order to safely scale, probe, assess and polish all surfaces of all of the teeth. We also take routine oral x-rays to ensure your pet's teeth are healthy above and below the gum line. We use ultrasonic tools to clean each tooth thoroughly - above and below the gum line. Our veterinarians and technicians polish teeth to create a smooth, lustrous tooth surface that is more resistant to plaque buildup. Fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity. Advanced dental care is available, including root canals, caps and braces through specialist referral.
Providing a variety of safe chew toys and, if and when possible, practicing a routine of regular brushing can help decrease the number of dental procedures your pet requires in a lifetime.
PRODUCTS TO AVOID
Real bones, hard plastic chew toys, nylon bones, compressed rawhide bones, cow hooves, pig ears and antlers. These products are notorious for breaking teeth and causing pain.
*Bones can be fatty leading to pancreatitis
*Pig ears can be a source of salmonella infection.
*Dentabones are made from compressed rice flour that has resulted in dental fractures. The manufacturer has said that the product can become hard as stone if improperly stored, but proper storage remains unclear.
*Rope toys can cause gingival lacerations and dental fractures when dogs aggressively tug on them and can cause wearing of the enamel of the teeth
*Ice cubes can cause fractures and gingival lacerations
*Rocks are just all over bad
*Tennis balls can cause significant dental abrasion, wearing down of the enamel of the tooth. That green fuzz might seem soft, but tennis balls are designed to withstand tennis courts and rackets. The fuzz is actually quite abrasive, and accumulated dirt and sand increases the abrasive quality of the ball. As your dog chomps on a tennis ball, the fuzz acts like sandpaper, gradually wearing down her teeth in a process called "blunting." This can eventually lead to dental problems such as exposed tooth pulp and difficulty chewing.
*Human toothpastes are also not good for pets as they are not meant to be swallowed (and good luck getting your pet to spit!). Swallowing human tootpaste can cause vomiting and other Gastro issues due to the presence of fluoride.
Real bones, hard plastic chew toys, nylon bones, compressed rawhide bones, cow hooves, pig ears and antlers. These products are notorious for breaking teeth and causing pain.
*Bones can be fatty leading to pancreatitis
*Pig ears can be a source of salmonella infection.
*Dentabones are made from compressed rice flour that has resulted in dental fractures. The manufacturer has said that the product can become hard as stone if improperly stored, but proper storage remains unclear.
*Rope toys can cause gingival lacerations and dental fractures when dogs aggressively tug on them and can cause wearing of the enamel of the teeth
*Ice cubes can cause fractures and gingival lacerations
*Rocks are just all over bad
*Tennis balls can cause significant dental abrasion, wearing down of the enamel of the tooth. That green fuzz might seem soft, but tennis balls are designed to withstand tennis courts and rackets. The fuzz is actually quite abrasive, and accumulated dirt and sand increases the abrasive quality of the ball. As your dog chomps on a tennis ball, the fuzz acts like sandpaper, gradually wearing down her teeth in a process called "blunting." This can eventually lead to dental problems such as exposed tooth pulp and difficulty chewing.
*Human toothpastes are also not good for pets as they are not meant to be swallowed (and good luck getting your pet to spit!). Swallowing human tootpaste can cause vomiting and other Gastro issues due to the presence of fluoride.
PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER
*The toothbrush - nothing works as well as a toothbrush. Ideally teeth should be brushed daily as it takes plaque 36 hours to turn into tartar. Like humans, pets benefit from the mechanical brushing action which removes plaque and helps to prevent tartar accumulation.
*Water additives - Adding a water additive or dental rinse to your pet's drinking bowl each day can help to decrease the chances of infection. Water additives break down the bacteria that cause plaque and tartar in your pet's mouth. Many pets suffer from halitosis, commonly known as bad breath. However, using water additives can help whiten your pet's teeth and freshen his or her breath for optimum oral health.
*Dental Wipes - Dental Wipes are soft, disposable and have a texture to clean pets teeth and gums gently. Rub gently, but firmly. Dental wipes for dogs and cats are a convenient method to keep your pet's teeth free from plaque when on the go. They are suitable for dogs and cats of all ages, sizes, and breeds and are ideal for those pets that refuse the toothbrush.
*Dental Diets -The specially shaped kibbles help to mechanically remove dental plaque and tartar. When your pet chews his food the abrasive texture of the kibble cleans each tooth, gently working away the plaque and tartar. These diets are designed to be fed everyday and often reduce plaque and tartar formation by more than 60% compared with regular diets. In addition to being extremely palatable the special kibble contains specific nutrients to support oral hygiene and help to clean all of the teeth, not only the ones needed for chewing.
*Dental Chews - Chewing is a natural behavior. Dogs explore the world around them by sight, sound, smell, and taste. Whether your dog is a senior or a puppy, dental chews leverage this instinctive chewing behavior to help clean teeth. Oral chews work with the pet's natural chewing action to loosen tartar and provide plaque control helping keep teeth clean and breath fresh.
*The toothbrush - nothing works as well as a toothbrush. Ideally teeth should be brushed daily as it takes plaque 36 hours to turn into tartar. Like humans, pets benefit from the mechanical brushing action which removes plaque and helps to prevent tartar accumulation.
*Water additives - Adding a water additive or dental rinse to your pet's drinking bowl each day can help to decrease the chances of infection. Water additives break down the bacteria that cause plaque and tartar in your pet's mouth. Many pets suffer from halitosis, commonly known as bad breath. However, using water additives can help whiten your pet's teeth and freshen his or her breath for optimum oral health.
*Dental Wipes - Dental Wipes are soft, disposable and have a texture to clean pets teeth and gums gently. Rub gently, but firmly. Dental wipes for dogs and cats are a convenient method to keep your pet's teeth free from plaque when on the go. They are suitable for dogs and cats of all ages, sizes, and breeds and are ideal for those pets that refuse the toothbrush.
*Dental Diets -The specially shaped kibbles help to mechanically remove dental plaque and tartar. When your pet chews his food the abrasive texture of the kibble cleans each tooth, gently working away the plaque and tartar. These diets are designed to be fed everyday and often reduce plaque and tartar formation by more than 60% compared with regular diets. In addition to being extremely palatable the special kibble contains specific nutrients to support oral hygiene and help to clean all of the teeth, not only the ones needed for chewing.
*Dental Chews - Chewing is a natural behavior. Dogs explore the world around them by sight, sound, smell, and taste. Whether your dog is a senior or a puppy, dental chews leverage this instinctive chewing behavior to help clean teeth. Oral chews work with the pet's natural chewing action to loosen tartar and provide plaque control helping keep teeth clean and breath fresh.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.......
** A FREE Dental Exam by one of our technicians
** 20% off the regular price of a dental cleaning
** A FREE bag of a prescription dental diet
** A take home package with home maintenance information, a toothbrush and toothpaste sample
** Before and After Photos
** A PAIN FREE AND HAPPY PET
Call us today to book a complimentary oral exam for your pet(s)!
** A FREE Dental Exam by one of our technicians
** 20% off the regular price of a dental cleaning
** A FREE bag of a prescription dental diet
** A take home package with home maintenance information, a toothbrush and toothpaste sample
** Before and After Photos
** A PAIN FREE AND HAPPY PET
Call us today to book a complimentary oral exam for your pet(s)!
