We talk a lot about periodontal disease, and the importance of good dental health for all pets. And for good reason, it is one of the most common medical diseases for pets in America. It’s estimated that by the age of three, 80% of dogs have some sort of active dental disease. If dental disease persists long enough, your pooch is in real danger of getting an abscessed tooth.
Our veterinarians are frequently asked during regular visits about if we can do anesthesia-free dental cleanings. Dr. Bingham state that he alone gets that question weekly. It's a question that loving pet owners think about a lot. The answer is: while some clinics do, we do not. We're going to go over the reasons why.
Our pets can’t verbally communicate when their teeth ache, or when it hurts to chew. And you can’t usually tell that your dog has dental issues until it has gotten to a serious point.
If you ask your veterinarian if they recommend a dental cleaning, the answer will always be, “Yes.” Always.
Are you brushing your dog’s teeth daily? Weekly? Even occasionally? If you’re not committing to this vital part of your pet owner responsibilities, it’s nearly a guarantee that you and your dog will pay for it. Your dog could already be living with daily pain as a result of dental disease, and the longer you wait to schedule your dog’s dental exam and start taking care of their teeth, the more likely you are to end up with issues.
Do you break out in a cold sweat just imagining brushing Fido's teeth? It's understandable, especially when you catch a glimpse of those needle-sharp canines and inscisors—even on your friendly dog, they can look pretty ferocious.
Because we met our goal of 70 dental cleanings during National Pet Dental Month (a.k.a. February to most people), we are happy to announce that Bingo, a sweet 9 year-old Pomeranian, will be getting his chompers polished up at no cost.
Bingo was found near Lake Lowell in Nampa by a family that was on their way to visit grandparents. (Later, this family would find out Bingo was lost due to his owner being in the hospital.) He was trotting along the road, and they scooped him up so a car wouldn’t hit him. He was covered in feces, mud and sticks. The family went door to door in an attempt to locate the owner. Next, they called the local shelters and posted about Bingo on numerous websites and Craigslist. Still no luck.
You already know that you should be brushing your dog's teeth daily, and you probably know why: dental disease can be painful, frustrating, and hard on the pocket book. Here at Intermountain Pet Hospital, we talk often about how to keeping your pet's dental health in check can help improve their quality of life and stop them from living in pain. But pet dental health is about much more than just staving off a toothache: left untreated, dental disease in dogs is deadly.
Do you have two minutes—or even less—to take out of every day for your dog's health? Of course, you do. Every responsible pet owner spends more than that every day tending to his or her dog's needs, whether it's through daily walking, feeding, or attention. But even the best-intentioned dog owners can still neglect one important part of their pet's care: teeth brushing. You may be avoiding brushing your dog's teeth because you fear it'll be complicated, difficult, or time-consuming. With a little practice and some training, brushing your dog's teeth can be easy and straightforward. Use this overview to guide you toward a healthy dental hygiene routine for your canine companion.
