You can count on our experienced vets at Brogli Lane Weaver & Alexander Animal Hospital to provide the preventive and restorative pet dental care and surgery your cat or dog needs.
Comprehensive Cat & Dog Dental Care
Although routine pet dental care is a critical aspect of cats' and dogs' oral and overall health, it often gets overlooked. As a result, most pets don't get the oral hygiene care they need to keep their gums and teeth healthy.
The vets at our animal hospital provide complete dental care for your pet, from the basics such as regular dental exams, teeth cleaning, and polishing to dental x-rays and surgeries.
We are also passionate advocates of dental health education regarding home dental care for pet parents.
Pet Dental Surgery in Murfreesboro
Finding out that your pet needs dental surgery may feel overwhelming Our staff understands this and makes the process as stress-free as possible, for both you and your pet.
We'll do everything in our power to ensure your pet's experience with us is comfortable and easy. We'll break down each step of the process for you in detail prior to the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
We offer tooth extractions, treatment for gum disease, and jaw fracture repair surgeries for dogs and cats.
Pet Dental Cleaning & Exams
At least once per year, your pet should come in for a dental examination. Cats and dogs who are more susceptible to dental issues than others may need to visit us more often.
The vets at Brogli Lane Weaver & Alexander Animal Hospital can detect, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- Discolored teeth
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Assessment
Before the dental exam, the vet will complete a thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment. Blood and urine analyses will be done to ensure it's safe for your pet to have anesthesia. Other diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet has been under anesthesia, we will perform a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
The next step is to clean and polish the teeth (including below the gum line) and take x-rays. A fluoride treatment is then applied to each tooth.
Finally, a dental sealant is applied to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is discovered, the veterinarian will create a treatment plan and review it with you.
- Prevention
Two weeks after your pet's initial assessment and treatment appointment, a complimentary follow-up examination will be scheduled.
During this visit, we will discuss how to implement teeth brushing at home. We can also recommend products to help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions our clients have asked about pet dental care in Murfreesboro.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Similar to people, our pets may develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a result of poor oral health.
When animals eat, plaque gets stuck to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not regularly brushed away. This may lead to infections in the mouth, tooth decay, loose or missing teeth and periodontal disease. That's why regular dental care is critical to preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know behavior can indicate oral health issues? If your pet has dental problems, they may paw at their teeth or mouth, or they may drool excessively (and the drool may contain blood or pus). They may also stop grooming efficiently, grind their teeth or yawn excessively.
Other signs of oral health issues include tooth discoloration, bad breath, and swollen gums. Some pets may even suffer from pain that prevents them from eating. Find out more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Besides causing problems ranging from bad breath and cavities to severe periodontal disease, oral health problems can lead to disease in the kidney, liver, heart, and other areas of your pet's body.
Your pet may also develop tumors or cysts, and not feel well in general (if you've ever experienced a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood). Diseases related to oral health conditions can also shorten your pet's lifespan and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so critical to animals' physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During your pet's regular oral exam, the vet will inspect his or her mouth and look for oral health issues or any symptoms that require treatment.
The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your dog's or cat's teeth. If gingivitis, cavities, or other conditions should be addressed, the vet will review these with you and provide recommendations on what you should do next.
In some cases, serious conditions will need to be treated with surgery. Your pet will be given anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure that they do not experience any pain and will be comfortable. However, special care will be required post-surgery.
If you notice any of these signs, book a dental appointment with us.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
Brush your pet's teeth regularly at home and give them dental chew toys. These will help remove plaque.
Keep them away from things that will damage their teeth, such as toys, objects, or bones that are too hard. Always bring any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health to your vet.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Because dogs and cats do not understand what is happening during dental procedures, they will often react to dental procedures by biting or struggling. We provide all of our patients with anesthesia before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to x-ray their mouth as required.