Animal Hospital of Casper - On Line

Dentistry

Veterinary dentistry is an extremely important part of most all veterinary practices, including Animal Hospital. The mouth is the main entry for all items into your pet's body. Bacteria - indicated by plaque, tartar and periodontal disease - is allowed into the blood stream 24 hour a day at the gum line. Chronic bacterial diseases translates to damage to other organ systems, such as the heart, liver and kidney. Serious oral infections also will, of course, enter via the stomach and intestinal tract. Loss of teeth and associated infection means your pet may not be able to maintain optimum nutritional status. Your pet's good oral health directly relates to a LONG, HAPPY and HEALTHY LIFE!!

Click on picture to enlarge

Normal teeth and gums (return to Physical exam)

Gingivitis and early periodontitis (gums reddened and bone structure is affected)

Moderate periodontitis (bone structure is being significantly destroyed)

Advanced periodontitis (more than 50% loss of bone structure)

Prevention:

Regular home dental care is first on the list of "Best Things for your pet" (see the link to CET below for information)

Regular veterinary dental checks to make sure your pet's oral health is optimum. Schedule dental prophylaxis as necessary. Dental extractions, endodontic therapy and may be necessary to maintain proper oral health. Antibiotic therapy may also be needed to help control chronic infection, as well as, more frequent scheduled dental prophylaxis.

Some newer foods and treats may be of significant value for your pet's dental health. (See links below)

Meet Apples (about an hour after his dental prophylaxis)

Note tartar on the molar to the right of the scaler

The tartar is removed immediately by use of the ultrasonic scaler (under the gum line - where the plaque begins).

Polishing after tartar and plaque removal reduces to some extent the onset of plaque

Our feline patients benefit as much as our canine patients from a thorough dental prophylaxis

Pictures of dental disease and beneficial results of dental prophylaxis

We recommend preanesthetic blood work, perform a preanesthetic physical examination and use respiratory monitor for all dental prophylaxis. Severe dental disease or older pets involve extra precautionary procedures, such as prophylactic antibiotics, senior or geriatric evaluation prior to dental prophylaxis.

Prescription food that controls the onset of plaque and tartar. Just for Cats (Click Here!)

Click here for more good information about pet dental care