One of the best ways to preserve your pet’s overall health is to provide consistent dental hygiene. Lake Area Animal Hospital offers dental exams, cleaning, polishing, tooth extractions, and some oral surgery. Additionally, we use digital dental radiography that allows us to make a more complete examination of your pet’s mouth and sinuses and to locate potential problem areas.
Dental care for pets is just as important as it is for people. Pets develop tartar and plaque deposits on their teeth if they do not receive routine care from a qualified veterinarian. Through regular cleaning, and checkups at Lake Area Animal Hospital, and by following good oral hygiene habits at home, you can typically extend the life of your pet by several years.
Neglecting your pet’s oral hygiene can lead to periodontal disease involving problems with teeth and gums. Once periodontal disease is established, the constant exposure to these bacteria can potentially cause damage to major organs of the body including the heart, liver, and kidneys.
We recommend regular dental checkups and cleanings at least every 1 to 2 years in most cases. Some pets, however, require more frequent cleanings. Brushing your pet’s teeth in between cleanings and supplying them with oral hygiene chews are additional preventive measures.
If you notice your pet exhibiting any of the following conditions, give us a call and schedule a dental care appointment:
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Broken or loose teeth
- Gum recession and/or gum swelling
- Pain in or around the mouth
- Pawing at the face or mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Swelling of the face
- Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
- Weight loss
Lake Area Animal Hospital provides dental health care services and screenings to pet owners in Lake Charles, Moss Bluff, Grand Lake, Cameron, and beyond.