Saribi from Middletown, CT writes:
Dear Don and Domino,
My parents have been complaining about my breath and when they brought me to
my annual exam, the doctor said I needed a dental-can you explain a little about
the procedure and what can I do once I have this fresh start so I don’t need a
dental for a long while?
Dental disease is very common in cats, over 90% of cats develop dental issues in
their life time. Everytime you come in, any of the doctors you will see will look at
your teeth so we know what condition they are in and when is the right time for a
cleaning.
There are some tell tale signs to know if, in between exams, there is a possible
issue with your teeth.
Bad breath
Bleeding and or wellness to gums
Gum inflammation
Excessive drooling or pawing at the mouth
Difficulty chewing and or eating
There can also be no signs which is why a regular visit to the vet can help save
your teeth!
If you do need a dental, the procedure is done under anesthesia. A technician will
scale your teeth, check for “cavities”, and polish them up once we know there are
no issues. We’ve been told it’s the same as when your parents go to the dentist.
Sometimes we have to remove teeth because they cause an issue, but you wont
miss it!
Once you have a fresh slate, there are a few products that are made to help slow
down the buildup of tartar.
Pet tooth brush and tooth paste
Oxyfresh oral hygiene solution (comes in gel, water additive, and spray)
Dental treats (greenies and science diet TD)
After your cleaning, a technician will go over what options the doctor thinks are
best for you and how to use them! Feel free to have your human call for more
information! 860-721-MEOW (6369).
To our purr-fect readers, please feel free to write to us with any questions (and a
photo if you wish) and get a chance to get featured in our blog! You can reach us
at DonandDomcatchat@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.