Veterinary Services
Pet Dental
Pet dental care is vital to the overall health of any pet. Studies have shown that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of three suffer from some form of dental disease, making it the most common pet health issue among our pet population.
Holistic Impact of Dental Health on Pets
Dental disease can lead to heart, liver, and kidney health issues and can affect the entire body through the bloodstream. Despite these disturbing facts, many pet owners are not aware of the importance of dental care to their pets’ health. But with regular dental exams, dental cleanings, and good oral health care at home, your pet can maintain a healthy, happy life.
Dental Exam
Oral exams and dental cleanings are two critical components of your pet’s dental care regimen. During your pet’s annual preventive care visit, we also administer an oral exam. As your pet grows, we make sure to look for anomalies, the accumulation of plaque and tartar, periodontal disease, and oral tumors. Based on the results, professional dental teeth cleaning may be recommended.
Dental Cleaning
If a pet dental cleaning is needed, it can be performed in one day at our animal hospital. A typical dental cleaning for a dog or cat may include:
1. Pre-anesthetic exam — For the safety and comfort of your pet, veterinary dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia. Whenever anesthesia is needed, special considerations are taken to help ensure your pet’s safety. We will administer a physical exam and offer a blood panel to check for internal problems.
2. CT Scan — CT scan which allows the doctor to get a complete evaluation of your pet’s oral health, including below the gumline where abscesses that threaten your pet’s oral health may reside. While most veterinary clinics utilize radiographs (x-rays), which can be time-consuming and increase how long your pet is under anesthesia, East El Paso Animal Hospital offers a complete CT scan of the head to completely evaluate your pet’s oral health. After reviewing the CT Scan or during the dental cleaning, your veterinarian may see the need to extract a tooth or multiple teeth. While this is common, your veterinarian will relay this information to you.
3. Anesthesia monitoring — During anesthesia, we continually monitor and record your pet’s vital signs.
4. Scaling and polishing — During the dental cleaning, we will scale and polish each tooth. Polishing smoothes out any scratches in the tooth’s enamel and protects your pet’s teeth.
5. Fluoride/sealants — This helps strengthen and desensitize teeth and decrease future plaque.
Home Dental Care
There are many ways to improve your pets’ dental hygiene at home. Tooth brushing and dental chews are the most common at-home care routines. We carry other options for stinky breath or pets with a more sensitive mouth, such as oral wash and water additives. See our online store or ask about oral care on your next visit!
The most effective way to protect your pet from dental disease is through professional cleaning. If your pet has brown/yellow teeth, bad breath, or has difficulty eating, these could all be signs of dental disease. Please call us at (915) 593-1712 today to learn more and schedule your pet’s dental cleaning.
Veterinary Services in El Paso, TX 79925
Pet Boarding
Pet Cardiology
Pet CT Scan
Pet Dental
Pet Diagnostics
Pet Grooming
Pet Laser Surgery
Pet Laser Therapy
Pet On-Site Pharmacy
Pet Preventative Care
Pet Spay and Neuter
Pet Surgery
Pet Wellness Screenings
Puppy/Kitten Wellness
Senior Pet Wellness