Client Information

Pet Dental Care – Why It Matters

Just like people, pets need regular dental care to keep their mouths healthy. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems we see in dogs and cats—and it can cause pain, bad breath, and even affect the heart, liver, and kidneys if left untreated.

Signs Your Pet May Have Dental Disease

• Bad breath
• Yellow or brown buildup (tartar) on teeth
• Red or bleeding gums
• Drooling or dropping food
• Pawing at the mouth
• Eating slower or avoiding hard food/treats

What Happens During a Professional Dental Cleaning?

Your pet’s dental procedure is done under general anesthesia to ensure comfort and safety. Here’s what to expect:

1. Pre-Anesthetic Exam & Bloodwork – We check your pet’s overall health and organ function before anesthesia.
2. Anesthesia & Monitoring – Your pet is closely monitored by trained staff throughout the procedure.
3. Full-Mouth Exam – We check every tooth and the gums for disease.
4. Dental X-rays – Many problems hide below the gumline. X-rays let us see root and bone health.
5. Ultrasonic Cleaning – Removes plaque and tartar from teeth and under the gums.
6. Polishing – Smooths the tooth surface to slow future plaque buildup.
7. Extractions (if needed) – Painful, infected, or loose teeth may need to be removed to restore comfort.

Why Anesthesia Is Important

Some people worry about anesthesia, but it is what makes thorough and pain-free cleaning possible. “Awake” cleanings are unsafe and ineffective because tartar and disease below the gumline cannot be properly treated without anesthesia.

At-Home Dental Care

Professional cleanings are important, but daily care makes the biggest difference. Options include:

• Daily Brushing (best option – use pet-safe toothpaste, never human toothpaste)
• Dental Chews & Treats – Look for the VOHC seal for products proven to help.
• Prescription Dental Diets – Specially formulated to reduce plaque and tartar.
• Water Additives or Gels – Can help slow bacteria growth in the mouth.

How Often Does My Pet Need a Dental?

Most pets benefit from a professional cleaning once a year, but some breeds or individuals may need them more often. Your veterinarian will recommend a plan tailored to your pet’s needs.

A healthy mouth = a healthier, happier pet.
Preventing dental disease means less pain, fresher breath, and a longer, healthier life for your best friend.

Common Parasites We See in Pets

1. Roundworms

• Your pet tested positive for roundworms.
• Pets can get roundworms by:
  • Being born with them (from their mother’s placenta or milk).
  • Ingesting contaminated soil or feces.
  • Eating infected prey (like rodents or birds).
• Important note: Roundworms can also infect humans, especially children, so stool cleanup and handwashing are essential.

2. Hookworms

• Pets can be infected by:
  • Swallowing larvae from contaminated soil, feces, or surfaces.
  • Skin contact—the larvae can actually penetrate through the skin, often paws or belly.
  • Nursing (from an infected mother).
  • Eating infected prey.
• Hookworms are common in puppies and can also be passed to people through the skin.

3. Tapeworms

• You might see small, rice-like pieces around your pet’s stool or bottom.
• Most pets get tapeworms from swallowing fleas during grooming or scratching.
• Less commonly, pets can get them from eating infected rodents or rabbits.
• Prevention tip: Keeping your pet on flea prevention is the best way to stop tapeworms.

4. Giardia

• Pets usually get Giardia from drinking contaminated water (puddles, streams, lakes, or dirty bowls).
• They can also get it from contact with contaminated feces, grass, or surfaces.
• Can people get it from pets?
  • Most human cases come from contaminated water, not directly from pets.
  • Some strains can be shared, so extra care is important for children, the elderly, and people with weaker immune system

5. Coccidia

• Pets (especially young ones) can get it by:
  • Ingesting infected feces.
  • Contact with contaminated surfaces (kennels, litter boxes, bowls, or soil).
  • Picking it up in crowded or unsanitary environments.
  • Rarely, eating infected prey.

• If your pet comes back positive for a parasite, we will prescribe a safe dewormer to clear the intestinal parasites. Two weeks after the treatment, we’ll recheck a stool sample to make sure the parasites are fully gone and no further medication is needed.
• To help prevent reinfection, please pick up your pet’s stool promptly and keep their environment clean. Treating parasites is important not only for your pet’s health, but also because some of these parasites can affect people.
• Should I be worried about catching worms from my pet?
  It’s very unlikely. With good hygiene—like washing your hands after handling your pet or cleaning up after them—you should be just fine.

What you can do:

• Pick up your pet’s stool promptly.
• Wash hands after handling your pet or cleaning up after them.
• Keep your pet on year-round parasite prevention