Dental care is vital to the overall health of any animal. Dental disease can lead to health issues involving the heart, liver, and kidneys, and can affect the entire body through the bloodstream. In fact, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over three years of age suffer from some form of dental disease, making it the most common health issue among our pet population.
In spite of these facts, many pet owners are not aware of the importance of dental care to their pet’s health. There are a lot of different ways to improve your pet’s dental hygiene. Here at Cilley’s, we carry dental chews and diets that help clean your pet’s teeth while they chew and eat, as well as home brushing kits that give you the power to directly participate in your pet’s dental health. We also offer dental inspections during annual wellness examinations.
The most effective way to protect your pet from dental disease is through professional cleanings. We perform thorough examinations, often including x-rays of the teeth and jaw – just like human dentists do – and then proceed with cleaning, including areas beneath the gums that you can’t see or access at home, and can perform extractions on damaged or infected teeth if necessary. Dental cleanings are done under anesthesia as pets – much like people – rarely enjoy dentistry.
If your pet has brown or yellow teeth, bad breath, or is having difficulty eating, these could all be signs of dental disease. Call us at (603) 224-9549 today to learn more, or to schedule a dental cleaning for your pet.