You’ve been to your vet (or even us), and
they have said to you “ Your pet needs a dental”. What does “need a dental” mean? I
don’t like that phrase, but unfortunately it is the lingo of the land, I will
go into what “need a dental” means for us (if you remember that it does not
mean the same thing in other veterinary hospitals.
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| So your pet "needs a dental". You never know what is hiding in your pet's mouth. |
Whoa... I have gone too far here.... I bet you don't believe your pet even needs a "dental". I know you will agree with me when you read the following statement " My pet eats with no problems at all. I can't believe my vet says my pet needs a dental."
Is this you?
Well, you aren't alone in your disbelief. You are right.... well, half right. Your pet eats. It has to. It is either that, or die, and really, most pets don't want to go there yet.
But, no problems at all? Be honest with yourself, for your pet. Over the next few weeks, sit down when your pet is eating... and watch them.
Do they seem comfortable whilst they are eating, or does it seem like they are pushing food around their mouths, maybe dropping a little food, or seem to be rubbing their muzzle after eating.
Be honest with yourself. I am not standing behind you double guessing what you are finding. You need to be honest for your pet's sake.
So, in your opinion, the owner, what do you think?
Still not sure what you are looking at? If your pet's teeth are any colour other than white, or gums, any thing other than pink, then that is not normal.
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| Dr Liz at Russell Vale vets looking at Dental Xrays of' what looked like normal teeth when you looked at them. |
As a vet, we are trained for "not normal' so we can easily say "this is not normal". As an owner, I understand that the phrase "your pet is not normal" is uncomfortable.
What grade are your pet's teeth? Not sure? There are alot of websites which go through this for you, including ours, with multiple handouts on dental care. Or you can just send me the photos (yes, you can... no need to be embarrassed. My website has the address.
Even better though, most vets are involved in Pet Dental Month, where free dental checks are on offer. This beats a "match the picture" job for your pet. And with us, we offer FREE dental checks each six months for all registered patients for the life of the patient, and for new clients, we offer a FREE dental check. When are these months? National Pet Dental Months are February and August. For us, well, every month!
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| Dr Liz is a member of the Australian Veterinary Dental Society...otherwise known as the "Very exciting Society!" |
So, check your pet's mouth now. Lift that lip, breath in the aroma that is your pet's breath, make sure you are sitting at the same time, and be honest with yourself for your pet's sake.
Why not post what Grade your pet's teeth are, to let us vets know what the overall population of pet's teeth out there are like, in your eyes.
And then, in all fairness to your pet, and I am sure you will agree with me that your pet deserves the truth, if your pet has any degree of staining, tartar, brown stuff, red gums, smell or anything like that, then they need professional dental care that only your vet can give.
How can we help you? As advertised in the Illawarra Mercury in December 2012, we are offering a $249 Dental Clean. This is not your standard "scale and polish" offered by others, as it also includes dental radiographs (I will not do any dentistry without them), as well as minor extractions (as I can count on four hands the "scale and polishes" that had healthy gums and didn't have any teeth rotten out of 42 teeth.
Your pet's health is the most important thing for you and for me... so let us work together to keeping them healthy.
