Dental care for pets in Glasgow
Did you know, a staggering 80% of pets over the age of three years old have dental disease that needs treating right away?
A lot of pets don’t show they’re in pain, which is why it’s so important to give your pet’s teeth and gums a regular check-over at home for signs of disease and decay. Also, periodic visits to the vets for a professional dental checkup are just as important for your dog, cat, or rabbit, as are your own routine dentist appointments. Make them part of your pet’s overall preventative healthcare routine and keep them healthier for longer.
Signs of oral health problems in pets:
- Exceptionally bad breath
- A build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth (yellow/brown)
- Red/swollen/bleeding gums
- Broken or misaligned teeth
- Holes in teeth – typically with cats
- Overgrown teeth in rabbits
- Change in appetite and difficulty eating
- Your pet won’t let you examine their mouth
As well as being painful and uncomfortable, and affecting their ability to eat and enjoy life, untreated and progressive periodontal disease can lead to systemic effects on other parts of your pet’s body. Affected organs can include the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular system, and lungs. In rabbits, common issues are misalignment and overgrowth, both of which can affect your rabbit’s ability and willingness to eat, and can be an emergency.
Prevention and early treatment of dental health problems are extremely important to protect your pet’s health.
Treating dental problems in pets
We have invested heavily in our dentistry equipment and facilities and offer a full range of routine dental procedures. For the safety of our team and the comfort of your pet, dental procedures for dogs and cats are performed under general anaesthetic. These include a professional scale and polish, and tooth extractions if needed. For rabbits, we can often trim their teeth whilst conscious or lightly sedated.
If you would like to know more, give our friendly team a call.
Caring for your pet’s teeth at home
Avenues Veterinary Centre is committed to the preservation of oral health, through the education of our staff with a programme of continuous professional development, and our clients using tools like our free pet healthcare email newsletters – find out more.
Here are our top tips for good dental home care
- Feeding your pet a healthy diet with foods that will give their teeth a good workout is important.
- For cats and dogs, you can get a range of oral health products, including pet-specific toothpaste and brushes, to help keep their teeth and gums healthy.
- Chew toys and dental treats may help (watch out for extra calories in treats).
- Check your pet’s teeth and gums regularly at home for any changes.
Why not book an appointment with one of our nurses, who can show you how to care for your pet’s teeth at home? We also have some home care dental advice on our website
