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We will be closed
June 14-17, July 4th, and July 19-22.
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819 N. Sacramento St
Lodi, CA 95240
(209) 334-4257 |
Hours:
M, T, W, F:
8am-12pm & 1:30pm-5:30pm
Th, Sat:
8am-12pm
Sun: Closed
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| Oral Care |
Pets Need Dental Care Too
For most of us, caring for our teeth and gums has been part of our daily routine for as long as we can remember. Just like you,
your pet needs dental care too - regular, professional care from your veterinarian and home care from you keep plaque removed.
Daily brushing and feeding special pet foods can help.
Causes of Periodontal Disease
Plaque is a colorless film that contains large amounts of bacteria. If left unchecked, plaque builds up, creating infection, destroying
gums, and resulting in the loss of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. Preventive oral care can reduce the formation of
plaque and help maintain proper oral health throughout your pet's life.
Signs of Periodontal Disease
All pets are at risk for developing dental problems. Once your pet displays any of the warning signs below, serious periodontal
disease may be present. Don't wait for these signs. Start a preventive program of veterinarian-supervised dental care today.
* Bad breath.
* Yellow-brown crust on teeth.
* Bleeding gums.
* Going to the food bowl, but not eating.
* Change of chewing or eating habits.
* Tooth loss.
* Subdued behavior.
* Abnormal drooling.
* Dropping food out of mouth.
* Swallowing food whole.
Contributing Factors
Poor Dental Hygiene - Ignoring the condition of your pet's mouth can lead to periodontal disease, tooth loss, and other serious health problems, such as
heart, liver, and kidney failure.
Breed - Periodontal disease is more common in smaller breeds of dogs and certain breeds of cats.
Age - Periodontal disease is more common as pets grow older.
Tips On Brushing Your Pet's Teeth
Introduce a brushing program gradually and early; training may take several days or weeks.
At first, dip your finger into beef bouillon for a dog or tuna water for a cat and rub your finger over the pet's mouth and teeth.
Make these initial sessions brief and positive.
Introduce gauze on your finger with the same beef or tuna flavor and begin rubbing the teeth in a circular motion.
Before graduating to a soft bristle toothbrush, put a small amount of toothpast specifically designed for pets on your finger
and allow the pet to taste it.
Finally, apply a small dab of pet toothpaste on a moist toothbrush and allow your pet to lick the bristles. Begin brushing gently
at a 45 degree angle away from the gumline.
Please note: Toothpaste designed for people contains ingredients that may upset your pet's stomach.
Food and Dental Care
In addition to brushing, good oral health may also require a pet food specially formulated to clean teeth, such as Hill's Prescription
Diet t/d pet food. The food helps ensure your pet receives good oral care every day.
Always look for the VOHC Seal of Acceptance on products for dental health. The seal indicates proven efficacy in controlling plaque
and tartar.
Steps to Better Oral Care
1. Visit Your Veterinarian
Every regular exam in our clinic includes a thorough dental exam. If we find signs of disease, we will recommend a treatment plan.
It is important for the overall health of your pet that we take care of any dental problems we find. We will also recommend a home care plan
that is a key part of keeping your pet healthy.
2. Start An Oral Care Routine At Home
Plaque should be removed from your pet's teeth every day before it mineralizes into tartar. Brushing your pet's teeth properly each
day will remove plaque buildup. In addition, you can feed specially formulated foods that help reduce the accumulation of plaque and
tartar from teeth. Ask us about the best methods of home care for your pet.
3. Shedule Regular Dental Checkups
We moniter the progress of your pet's preventive program, so regular dental checkups are essential, just as twice-a-year checkups are important
to people. For pets that form tartar quickly or those with a history of oral problems, frequent examinations and cleanings may be
advised.
For more information, visit: www.PetDental.com
The above is a publication of:
The American Veterinary Medical Association
The American Veterinary Dental Society
The Academy of Veterinary Dentistry
The American Veterinary Dental College
and Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc
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