Comprehensive Cat & Dog Dental Care
A dental care routine is an important part of your cat or dog's overall and oral health, however, the majority of pets don't receive the level of oral hygiene care they require to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
At our Rockland County veterinary hospital in Valley Cottage, Stony Point, and Pomona, we offer a range of comprehensive veterinary dentistry services such as dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, dental X-rays, and dental surgeries.
We also provide dental health education to pet owners so they can implement at-home dental care for their pets.
Dental Surgery for Pets in Rockland County
We understand how hard it can be to learn that your pet needs dental surgery. Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, for both you and your pet.
At Rockland Veterinary we will do everything they can to make sure your furry friend's time with us is stress-free and comfortable. We will explain every step of the process in complete detail prior to the procedure including preparation and post-operative care.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Pet Dental Exams
Just like your annual checkup at the dentist, cats and dogs should come in for a dental examination and hygiene cleaning once a year at the minimum. Pets that are more prone to dental issues than others might require more frequent appointments.
Rockland Veterinary is able to examine, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you see any of the symptoms below in your pet, they need a dental checkup.
- Bad breath
- Tartar buildup
- Discolored teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Assessment
We will conduct a thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment prior to your pet's dental exam.
We will test their blood and run urinalysis to make sure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
When your pet is comfortable under anesthesia, we will perform a comprehensive oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
Then, we clean and polish the teeth (including under the gum line) and take X-rays. Next, a fluoride treatment is applied to each tooth.
The final step is to apply a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If your vet finds advanced periodontal disease they will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
Preferably, a follow-up examination will be booked for two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
At this visit, your vet will discuss implementing a tooth brushing routine at home. They can also recommend products to help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Below are the questions we are most frequently asked about the veterinary dentistry that we offer.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets are capable of developing periodontal disease or tooth decay as a result of poor oral hygiene habits.
Similar to people, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if it's not brushed away regularly.
This could cause tooth decay, infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, and even missing or loose teeth. This makes regular dental care essential to preventing pain or gum diseases.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know your pet's behavior can give you insight into their oral health? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, they might drool excessively (drool could contain blood or pus), or you might see them pawing at their mouth or teeth, excessively yawn, grind their teeth, or stop grooming properly.
Other signs of oral health problems are swollen gums, tooth discoloration, and bad breath. Some pets may even suffer from pain that stops them from eating. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Other than causing problems such as bad breath, cavities, and severe periodontal disease, oral health problems and issues can lead to disease in the heart, liver, kidneys, and other areas within your pet's body.
Cysts or tumors may develop. Your pet might also feel under the weather in general (if you've ever experienced a toothache, you might know how it could affect your mood!). In addition, diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during pet teeth cleaning appointments?
At your cat or dog's regular oral exam, your vet will assess their mouth and search for oral health conditions or any symptoms needing treatment.
Our Rockland vet will clean tartar and other debris from your pet's teeth. If cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions need to be treated, your vet will explain this to you and give you advice on which actions you should take.
In some cases, surgery will be needed to treat serious conditions. Your pet will be provided with anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and do not experience any pain. However, special care will be needed post-surgery.
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a dental appointment with us.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
At home, you should brush your cat or dog's teeth regularly and provide them with dental chew toys. These will help eliminate plaque.
Don't let your pet chew on things that could damage their teeth, including bones, toys, or objects that are too hard. Always contact your vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Our pets don't understand what is happening to them during their dental procedures, and they could respond to dental procedures by biting or struggling.
Just like the anesthesia human dentists offer their nervous or anxious patients, our Rockland County vets give anesthesia to all cats and dogs before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on your pet and lets us X-ray their mouth as needed.