Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic is celebrating National Pet Dental Health Month with $50 off dental cleanings booked in August
You love your pup more than words can say, but his breath… my gosh! It could be more than just an inconvenience; your pet’s bad breath might be a sign of a serious health risk. Dental disease in dogs and cats is very common, and very dangerous. In animals, just like people, dental health impacts much more than just the mouth. Obviously, it can affect the teeth and gums, but did you also know it can also affect your pet’s internal organs as well?
How to Determine if Your Pet Has Dental Problems
Bad breath, broken or loose teeth, teeth that are covered in tartar, loss of appetite, bleeding and swelling are all symptoms that should be addressed immediately with your vet. Even without these signs, your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian as a part of their normal exam. Annual exams help to identify early signs of problems, before they get bad enough to require extractions and other procedures. If your vet sees signs of dental disease, they will recommend a cleaning and full exam.
What Does a Pet Dental Exam and Cleaning Entail?
Because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, where it can’t be seen, your pet will need to be placed under anesthesia. This allows for a more thorough procedure with less stress and pain for your pet. Just like when you visit the dentist, a dental cleaning for pets includes scaling to remove plaque and tartar and polishing. While your pet is under anesthesia, the vet will determine if any extractions or repairs are needed. If so, these procedures can be performed during the cleaning so as not to have to put your pet under anesthesia more than once. Most of the time, you will be able to take your pet home the same day of the procedure, although they may be a little groggy the rest of the day.
How Does My Pet’s Dental Health Affect More Than Just Their Mouth?
Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats. 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease by the age of 3. The disease will only worsen with age if preventative measures are not taken. Advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet. The disease can cause other health problems such as kidney, liver and heart muscle changes. Therefore, early detection and treatment are critical.
How Can You Help Improve Dental Health Between Cleanings?
At the Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics, we celebrate February and August as National Pet Dental Health months. However, good dental health really is a year-round concern. The best way to prevent pet oral disease is the frequent removal of dental plaque and tartar. The best way to do that is with regular brushing. This may reduce the frequency or even eliminate the need for periodic dental cleaning in some pets. While daily brushing is ideal, we know that’s not always realistic. Aim to brush your pet’s teeth at least three times per week. Checkout this step by step guide on how to brush your pet’s teeth.
Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic August Discount
Most vet clinics offer low-cost dental cleanings in February, in celebration of National Pet Dental Health Month. We do the same, however we think pet dental health is so important that we also offer the same discount in August. Think of it as a kind of mid-year special! Book a dental cleaning in August and receive $50 off! Be sure to book early as appointments fill up fast. Pet dental cleanings are available at either our Beaches or Westside locations. The mobile pet clinic does not perform dental cleanings.
Think you have all the facts? Take the American Veterinary Medical Association’s quiz to learn how much you really know about your pet’s dental health!
