Dental Disease and Your Pet

We see many pets at our clinic with medical issues associated with dental disease. Having unhealthy gums and teeth can affect not only your pet’s oral health but also their overall health. So, how does a pet owner know if their animal is suffering from dental issues? Some of the more common symptoms are listed below:

• The notorious ‘doggy breath’ (cats aren’t immune either!)
• Drooling
• Swelling by eye (may indicate an abscessed tooth)
• Inflammation of gums
• Tooth mobility
• Tartar and plaque build-up
• Loss of interest in eating/playing with chew toys
• Rubbing face on the ground or pawing at it

If your pet is exhibiting any of these signs, an oral health exam by your veterinarian will indicate to what degree your pet may be experiencing dental disease and what the appropriate steps are needed to help your animal. If things have gotten so bad that even YOU don’t want to kiss your furry companion, please call our office and we would be happy to set up an oral exam for your beloved pet today!

Written by: Petroglyph Animal Hospital