Dental Care

Importance of Dental Health

Proper dental care can detect dental disease that not only affects the mouth, but can also lead to more serious health problems such as heart, lung, and kidney disease. Good dental hygiene is just as important for pets as it is for people. At your annual exam your veterinarian will examine your pet's mouth for any anomalies, accumulation of plaque, tartar,  and periodontal disease. If significant abnormalities are found, the doctor will request a Complete Oral Health Exam And Treatment (COHAT) to allow our team to properly examine, clean, and repair these abnormalities. 

What happens during a COHAT

• The procedure starts with your pet being placed under General Anesthesia. This makes it possible to perform dental procedures with less stress and discomfort for your pet. 
  
• Radiographs are completed to evaluate the health of the jaw and the tooth roots below the gumline. 
  
• All teeth are scaled to remove any plaque and calculus, and then polished to fill in any abnormalities to the enamel. 
• Once their mouth is nice and clean an exam is completed, noting any missing or loose teeth. This is done in correlation with radiograph findings. At this time the veterinarian will decide which teeth, if any, need to be extracted. 

Signs Your Pet May Need a Dental COHAT

• 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
• Swelling in areas surrounding the mouth

Please make an appointment with one of our veterinarians if your pet is exhibiting any of these signs or symptoms.

Dental Care from Sask. Veterinary Medical Assoc. on Vimeo.