Dental Care

Cat and dog teeth cleaning is very similar to our own. We require daily brushing and routine professional teeth cleaning and exams—our pets need the same! Without proper care, cats and dogs can develop dental disease that if left untreated, can affect their overall health. Our patients in Oak Park, IL and surrounding neighborhoods can count on Companion Animal Hospital to care for their teeth and help their owners care for them too!

DOG DENTAL PROCEDURES: HOW THEY WORK

Your pet’s safety and comfort are our top priorities the moment they walk through our doors. Dog dental care requires anesthesia, so we take the extra steps to ensure your pet is in tip-top shape before we begin. Pre-anesthetic blood work and a physical helps us learn about any potential underlying issues that may affect the anesthesia. Once your pet is cleared and ready for anesthesia, we’ll begin the dog teeth cleaning procedure, monitoring your pet closely from start to finish.

Each step in our procedure contributes to a thorough treatment of your pet’s teeth:

• Clean your pet’s teeth, both above and below the gum line with ultrasonic scaling.
• Polish the visible teeth to create a smooth surface the reduces plaque buildup.
• Take a full digital x-ray of your pet’s mouth to expose any undiagnosed problems.
• Perform extractions or other dental procedures as needed, always letting you know before we proceed.

RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF DENTAL DISEASE IN DOGS AND CATS

Just because your pet isn’t whining in pain doesn’t mean they aren’t uncomfortable or suffering. Since their means of expressing illness or pain is different than us, it’s important to recognize the signs so you know when to bring in your pet to us. If your pet exhibits any of the symptoms below, don’t hesitate to contact us:

• Red swollen gums
• Swelling around the muzzle
• Loose, broken teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Bad breath
• Difficulty eating or holding onto food or toys
• Increased irritability
• Lack of interest or lethargy

KEEPING UP WITH CAT AND DOG DENTAL HYGIENE AT HOME

Following a dental cleaning, we’ll suggest ways you can keep up with cat and dog teeth cleaning at home. We highly recommend that you brush your pet’s teeth daily—but we also realize that is not always possible. Some pets are less cooperative than others, but luckily there are other products to help! Dental chews and water additives are common preventive measures to give your pet a clean, healthy mouth without the hassle of brushing (but brushing is always best!). For the most effective dental care products, be sure to choose those that have been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

PET DENTAL CARE IN OAK PARK, IL

Every pet deserves unique care, and pet dental care is no different. At your pet’s examinations we’ll go over the right dental care methods that work for both you and your pet. Contact us today to set up a dental care appointment! Call us at 708-248-8888!