Dentistry

Dental health is tightly connected to your pet’s overall health. In fact, oral problems can often be caused by, or can also lead to, other more serious health issues in an animal, including kidney, liver and heart muscle changes.

An examination of your pet’s teeth and gums is an important part of every wellness visit at Women’s Animal Center. Most cats and dogs exhibit signs of periodontal disease by the time they are two years old, and our veterinarians recommend annual dental cleanings for all patients over this age, unless required at a younger age based on an individual animal’s exam and diagnosis. Early signs of periodontal disease in your pet can include bad breath; discolored teeth; abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth; reduced appetite or refusal to eat; and bleeding or swelling in areas of the mouth.

Because we understand the importance of oral health for our community’s pets, Women’s Animal Center Veterinary Hospital has a state-of-the-art dental machine that allows us to perform dental prophylaxis procedures onsite. While your pet is under anesthesia, this procedure safely and effectively removes sheets of plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth that cannot be removed by brushing alone. 

In addition to thorough dental cleanings, oral surgeons at Women’s Animal Center can also perform complicated extraction procedures when medically necessary for pets suffering pain or infection as a result of periodontal disease. Often, x-rays are required to determine the extent of an animal’s periodontal disease before a procedure can be performed.