Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning in San Antonio, TX

*Only available at our main location, ellisondrivevet.com

Teeth cleaning is an important part of your pet’s well-being. It should be included in the overall health care management plan developed by your veterinarian. Cleaning your pet’s teeth ensures that they have good oral health. It can prevent your pet from experiencing severe dental problems that may impact how they eat. In addition, cat and dog tooth cleaning may prevent your pet from developing diseases that can lower their quality of life.

Why Should Your Pet Get Dental Cleanings?

Dental cleanings can provide a range of benefits for your pet. They can help identify dental problems early on so that the proper treatment can begin. Dental problems may include a cracked tooth, missing tooth, or infected tooth and gums.

In addition, sometimes, when your pet is having some other medical problem, the cause of the problem may come from their poor teeth cleanings. Organ failure, such as diseases to the liver, heart, or kidneys, could be caused by a tooth or gum infection as that infection may have spread throughout the body.

Unfortunately, your pet can’t tell you that they feel sick. Instead, you have to take behavioral cues that something is wrong, such as your pet not eating the same as they used to or acting listless. By the time that you discover there is a medical issue, the infection could progress to the point where it is difficult and expensive to treat. Regularly scheduled cat and dog teeth cleanings can help keep your pet healthy for their entire lives.

Procedures for Pet Dental Cleanings

The procedures for pet dental cleaning are based on how your pet reacts to having someone hold their head and use the brush. Some pets are absolutely fine with a regular dental cleaning to remove plaque and stains. They will sit patiently and quietly while getting the cleaning, and they may even enjoy the taste of the toothpaste and the gentle strokes of the brush across their teeth and gums. For these circumstances, non-anesthesia dental cleaning may be an option.

Other pets cannot sit still for dental cleanings or do not like having someone that they are not comfortable with hold their heads. They may try to run away, bite, or scratch the veterinarian. In these situations, we may suggest that general anesthesia be given to them.

Whether your pet gets non-anesthesia or general anesthesia, your veterinarian will perform a full physical examination. For general anesthesia treatment, the vet will recommend blood work for your pet based on its age and breed to examine whether your pet will have any problems with the anesthetic agent. If all the diagnostic tests come back good, the vet will place an IV.

Then we will administer IV fluids and a pre-anesthetic dose. These procedures are designed to help your pet feel relaxed. Then general anesthesia is given to your pet.

During the dental cleaning, the veterinarian will perform a full dental screening while also keeping an eye on your pet’s vitals. We monitor the pet’s blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, body temperature, and other vital signs. Once all dental procedures are done, our veterinarian will wake up your pet as post-procedure vital monitoring is done. Your pet will be able to go home that day with you if there are no issues.

How Often Should Pets Get Dental Cleanings?

Most pets should get a professional dental cleaning at least once a year. Some smaller animal breeds should obtain two cleanings a year if they are susceptible to certain oral diseases or other dental issues. The veterinarian will discuss the number of cleanings for your pet based on their breed, age, and current dental health. They may also adjust the number of cleanings as your pet ages and based on their lifestyle.

Between dental cleanings at the veterinarian, your cat or dog can obtain cleanings at home. Brushing their teeth is the most effective method. Yet if your pet doesn’t like having their teeth brushed, many dental pet products are on the market that may help with keeping your pet’s teeth clean. You may try out dental chews, water additives, or dental diets that are specially formulated.

Potranco Veterinary Clinic Dental Cleanings

As a San Antonio veterinarian, Potranco Veterinary Clinic offers cat and dog teeth cleaning to residents to promote good oral heal for your pets. These dental cleanings are specifically designed for your pet and are a part of their overall health care management plan. To ensure that your pet, and you, has a happy time with their dental examination, we will walk you through everything that will occur during the procedure. For more information about these services, contact our staff today.