February is here and so comes another year of National Pet Dental Health Month! During this month we like to highlight the importance of dental health care among pets.

Here at Oak Creek Vet Care our veterinarians work with you to begin a pet dental care routine at home, in addition to we offer regular dental exams and cleanings. Maintaining good oral health can have a lifelong impact on your pets overall general health. Our doctors or technicians are able to provide information on oral hygiene, including Veterinary Oral Health Council approved products for your home.

“According to the American Veterinary Dental College, most dogs and cats have some evidence of periodontal disease by the age of three, often indicated by bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face and mouth, and depression.” – AVMA

Pet owners should also have their pet’s teeth checked if they observe any of the following problems:

  • Bad breath
  • Broken or loose teeth
  • Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
  • Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
  • Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
  • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
  • Pain in or around the mouth
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

What goes into a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (or COHAT):

When a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) is recommended for your pet, you can be assured of a full oral exam, full mouth dental radiographs, dental scale and polish, periodontal probing and charting. If indicated many surgical extractions can be managed during the same procedure.

All COHATs performed at our clinic are done so under general anesthesia. No matter how smart your pets are, your pet does not understand the benefit of dental procedures, and they react by moving, trying to escape or even biting. General anesthesia makes it possible for to perform a COHAT.