Just like humans, our pets are vulnerable to gum disease and problems with their teeth. Alarmingly, it's estimated that up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats suffer from some form of dental disease by the age of three.
How dental disease develops
Bacteria accumulate on the teeth and form plaque, which hardens into tartar. The resulting infection damages gum tissue and the bone around the teeth, causing red gums, bad breath and loose teeth. Left untreated, the infection can spread through the bloodstream and affect the kidneys, liver and heart, potentially shortening your pet's life.
Professional dental treatment
Dental procedures are performed under general anaesthesia. We remove plaque and tartar with specialised instruments including an ultrasonic scaler, then polish the teeth. Severely damaged teeth may need extraction, with gum surgery and dissolvable stitches where necessary. Pets typically go home the same day.
Every dental procedure at MEVV includes dedicated nurse monitoring, dental charting, dental X-rays, local anaesthetic nerve blocks and post-operative checks. See our price list for details.
Prevention at home
Prevention is definitely better than cure. Three things make the biggest difference:
- Daily tooth brushing with pet-specific toothpaste
- Dental chews and toys that help keep teeth clean
- Special dental diets formulated to reduce tartar build-up
After a professional clean, we recommend a follow-up dental exam every six months.