Bad breath got you blue? Pets’ smiles are important, too!

Making your pet smile – and giving a little love and attention – is just as important as providing nutritious food. Surprisingly, dental care may do more than stave off bad breath, it may add years to your pet’s life.

Does your pet have bad breath? Is there any bleeding along the gums? Are
their gums red and inflamed or does food drop out of their mouth while eating? If so, then it’s time to see your veterinarian.

Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets!

Approximately 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS). Along with a dental exam and a dental cleaning (if needed) by a veterinarian, regular brushing and a healthful diet can prevent or reverse gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can cause pain and discomfort to your pet. Imagine if your own gums became so sore that you could not chew your food!

Millions of household pets suffer simply because their owners do not realizethe importance of routine pet dental care. Gum disease can also put your loved one at increased risk for heart disease and other serious illnesses and diseases. Seem farfetched? Well, it shouldn’t, because, just as in humans, bacteria from the gums can migrate into the bloodstream and infect the heart, liver, lungs, or kidneys.

A list of Dental Health Tidbits may be found at Pet Dental.com: http://petdental.com/pet_dental/bacteria_basics.jsp

A nutritious diet, attentive ownership, and regular dental exams and maintenance are the key to saving your pet’s ear to ear smile. Brushing is still critically important, too. Most pet owners don’t realize how easy it is to get their cat or dog used to a regular brushing routine! The staff at MAVH is more than happy to show pet owners techniques, tips, and tricks to assist in adopting this new routine (and not just feeding alleged “dental treats”).

Mountain Aire Veterinary Hospital offers a variety of products and services for pet dental hygeine. In addition to toothpastes and diets, our hospital is equipped for professional, dental cleaning and corrective procedures available in two options:

The first Wednesday of every month, Chuck Purkey and his team of hygenists from Veterinary Dental Services (VDS) visit MAVH to provide careful and caring non-anesthetic dental cleaning and polishing for qualified cats and dogs. No anesthesia is used on your pet, and a hygienist technician accomplishes the procedure while the cat or dog is awake and comfortably held. Just like with us humans, pets are treated with love, patience, and compassion to gain their cooperation. Most pets cooperate fully and seem to enjoy the special attention.

If your pet is not qualified for non-anesthetic dental cleaning, or requires more extensive dentistry, MAVH is available for full cleaning procedures under anesthesia.

Both procedures are by appointment only, with more literature and information readily available at our reception desk.

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