ABC Animal & Bird Clinic / Dental Cleaning

Winner: Charm Kimzey
Parents: Joel and Angela
Congratulations!!!

National Pet Dental Month is February. Celebrate by checking up on your pet's dental health. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have oral disease by the time they are three years old. Veterinarians offer simple ways to check your pet's teeth and keep them healthy. A few minutes can help your four-legged buddy lead a happier and healthier life.

We at ABC Animal & Bird Clinic take the oral health of our patients very seriously. Bad teeth and gums can lead to kidney, liver and heart disease. Routine care can add years to you pet's life. A dental cleaning begins with a thorough evaluation of your pet by the veterinarian. This includes a physical exam, blood profile, white blood count, red blood count, platelet count and urinalysis. An intravenous catheter will be placed in your pet's leg to provide supportive care during anesthesia. Anesthesia is started with an injection then followed with a gas anesthesia to maintain you pet in a quiet and comfortable condition. The teeth will be x-rayed to look for disease both above and below the gum line. Then the an ultrasonic scaler will be used to remove the plaque and calculi from the surface of the teeth. This is followed by polishing the teeth to smooth the surface which can help slow the return of tooth disease. When your pet goes home we may have antibiotics and/or pain medications to help fight infection or, in the case of extractions, control discomfort. Although some animals are a little quiet the day after a dental cleaning they all feel and act better after this procedure treats their mouth and teeth condition.

The contest works as follows:

You will have to come in for a dental check and/or cleaning during the month of February 2009.
The patients name will be entered into the drawing on March 1st, 2009.
The winning name will be drawn and that patient will get a free teeth cleaning next year during the month of February 2010.
Teeth cleaning includes early detection blood work, IV catheter and fluids, digital dental x-rays, ultrasonic teeth scaling and polishing.

Good Luck and Happy Eating!

ABC Animal Clinic staff