Dental Disease ...

Did you know that 80% of cats and dogs over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease? And did you also know that dental disease is the 2nd most common disease affecting our pets today?

What makes these facts so astonishing is that dental disease is COMPLETELY preventable! The way dental disease works in our pets is the exact same way it works with us!

How do I know my pet has dental disease?

The first thing you may notice is your pet has bad breath. This comes from all the bad bacteria that occurs when plaque forms on the tooth surface. You may even see a hard-yellow substance on your pet's teeth called tartar.

Tartar is made up when so much plaque forms on the teeth that it becomes visible. Unfortunately, when we can see tartar there is no amount of homecare that can be done to remove it.

Dental disease starts underneath the gumline, this then irritates the gum tissue and causes inflammation (Gingivitis) and this causes PAIN for your pet.

In advanced cases of dental disease, you may notice that your pet is:

• Drooling excessively
• Frequently dropping food from their mouth
• Chewing on one side
• Pawing or rubbing their face
• Has a lump under one or both eyes, this can indicate a severe infection causing an abscess and requires immediate attention

You may notice a reduction in appetite, however, very few pets will stop eating because of dental disease. It doesn’t mean that their mouth doesn’t hurt - it’s more of a survival instinct.

The very best way to tell if you pet has dental disease is to get us take a look for you! Dental examinations are incorporated into all consults booked with us and we are happy to provide you will all the information you need to get your pet back to their usual kissable mouth!

Prevention is the best cure ...

At Bendigo Pet Vets we are really, very passionate about oral health care and would like to see your pet keep all their teeth and be pain free for as long as possible!

Following a dental procedure performed with us we offer a complimentary and comprehensive oral health plan tailor made for YOUR furry friend.

The gold standard of home oral care is daily teeth brushing, just like we do! It may seem a little crazy to brush your pets teeth but it is actually a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your pet (Yes, even cats!) and is an excellent way for you to contribute to your pets overall health.

To help you implement this into your pets life, we offer toothbrushing consults that include tips and tricks to get you started and little milestones to achieve, we can even help you select the right kind of brush and tooth paste!

Now, understandably this is not for every pet, so we also discuss other options that would work best for your pet including:

• Prescription and Non-Prescription Diets
• Dental Treats
• Water additives and food additives
• Dental toys

Regular dental examinations are really important, so we know we are on the right track and sometimes our furry friends need a little something more. Certain pets may be classed as “high risk” for dental disease and may require a yearly or even 6 monthly preventative Scale and Polish.

One of our main goals is to keep your pets free from disease and pain!