February Is Pet Dental Health Month!

Many pet owners regularly walk and groom their pets, have them vaccinated every year and wouldn’t dream of forgetting to feed them, but they frequently neglect their pets' dental health. It’s easy to notice if your pet is limping or bleeding but, because most dental issues aren’t obvious, by the time the problem is noticed and the animal is taken to the vet for treatment, it’s a big deal.

This type of inadvertent neglect can have a big impact on an animal's health and well being, to say nothing of the unnecessary costs incurred by pet owners to address conditions caused or exacerbated by dental issues that could have been avoided with a bit of preventative care. As in humans, poor pet dental care can cause bad breath, bleeding and inflammation of the gums, receding gums, and loss of teeth. In addition, the health of your pet’s mouth can have an effect on their overall health too – periodontal disease, which is the most common dental problem for dogs and cats in the US, can introduce bacteria and toxins into the animal’s bloodstream which can cause damage to internal organs, or even organ failure! An article published online by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine estimates that over 70-80% of cats and dogs develop gum disease by the time they are three.

Regular checkups can do more than just prevent or treat plaque, gum disease and decay in your pet’s mouth. Serious conditions like organ damage, fractured teeth and mouth tumors (particularly common in cats, and often caught too late because of a lack of regular care) can be diagnosed early and therefore treated more successfully, with regular dental attention.

The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) recommends taking your pet in for a regular dental check at least once a year, and to take your pet into the vet immediately if you notice swollen, receding or bleeding gums; a change in eating habits, increased drooling or bad breath.

It’s true - pet dental care is more expensive than a quick visit for vaccinations, and may involve them staying at the vet’s for the day for examination/treatment under anesthetic – but delaying or neglecting regular dental care is false economy. Paying for an annual checkup to ensure your pet’s oral health can save you time and money and heartache in the long run. You may also want to consider pet health insurance, which can help offset the cost of your animal’s dental exam or treatment. So what’s stopping you? Make that appointment today!

Sites referenced for this post:
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vsr/dentistry/dentalcare.htm
http://www.cat-world.com.au/PeriodontalDiseaseInCats.htm
http://www.emaxhealth.com/116/20407.html
http://www.emaxhealth.com/116/20639.html