At All Creatures Veterinary Hospital, our vets provide comprehensive preventive and restorative veterinary dental healthcare and dental surgery for cats and dogs.
Dental Care for Cats & Dogs
One critical element of oral and overall health for both cats and dogs is routine dental care. However, most pets don't get the oral hygiene care they need to ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy.
At our veterinary hospital in New Iberia, we provide complete dental care for your pet, from basics such as teeth cleanings, dental exams and polishing to surgeries.
We are also passionate about educating pet owners regarding dental health and home dental care.
Pet Dental Surgery in New Iberia
We understand it can be overwhelming to learn that your pet needs dental surgery. We strive to make this process as stress-free as possible, for both you and for your pet.
We'll do everything in our power to make sure your pet's experience with us is comfortable and easy. We'll break down each step of the process to you in detail before the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
We offer tooth extractions, scaling, jaw fracture repair surgeries and gum disease treatment for cats and dogs.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
At least once each year, your pet should see us for a dental examination. If your cat or dog is more prone to dental problems than others, they may need to see us more often.
All Creatures Veterinary Hospital can examine, diagnose and treat cats and dogs for dental health problems.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, it's time to schedule a dental checkup:
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Discoloured teeth
- Assessment
Before the dental exam, your vet will complete a thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment.
We recommend blood and urine analyses to be done to ensure your pet can safely undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
Next, the vet will clean and polish the teeth (including under the gum line). A fluoride treatment is applied to each tooth.
Finally, if the vet discovers advanced periodontal disease, he or she will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our patients about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral health.
Just like in humans, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not brushed away regularly.
This can lead to infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. That's why regular dental care is essential to preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know behavior may be an indication of oral health problems? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, or they may drool excessively (and the drool may contain pus or blood), or you may notice them pawing at their mouth or teeth. They may also yawn excessively, grind their teeth, or stop grooming sufficiently.
Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may even suffer from pain that keeps 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?
Besides causing problems ranging from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Cysts or tumors may develop. Your pet may also not feel well in in general (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can 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 a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During your pet’s regular oral exam, the vet will examine his or her mouth and look for oral health conditions or any symptoms needing treatment.
The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your cat's or dog's teeth. If cavities, gingivitis or other conditions need to be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and provide advice on which actions you should take.
In some cases, surgery will be needed to treat serious conditions. Your pet will be provided 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 pet's teeth on a regular basis and give them dental chew toys. These will help eliminate plaque.
Do not allow them to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as 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
Because cats and dogs do not understand what is going on during dental procedures, they'll often react by biting or struggling. Before we perform dental procedures, anesthesia is provided to all of our patients. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to X-Ray their mouth as required.
Welcoming All Creatures in New Iberia
All Creatures Veterinary Hospital is accepting new patients! Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.