MAY

is

DENTAL MONTH.

That means you should

‘FLIP THE LID'

Get $100 off any dental procedures your pet may need during the month of May.

Dental health is more important than ever as pets are now living longer than ever before. If their teeth aren't cared for they too, like humans can suffer gingivitis (swollen gums), mouth ulcers and broken teeth.  This can make eating and even playing painful for them.  An additional concern is the potential for bacterial infection in the mouth to enter the bloodstream and infect the heart, kidneys and liver.

Signs of dental disease in your pet include bad breath, inflamed gums and teeth that are stained with tartar. Unfortunately pets usually suffer in silence rather than show weakness, this is common in pack animals.  It is estimated that around 80% of animals over the age of three have some degree of dental disease, which becomes even more of a problem in later life.

There are three ways that are recommended to look after your pet's teeth:

1). Yearly checkups with your vet

2). Feed your pet a dental diet

3). Brush your pets teeth daily if possible

Yearly check-ups with your vet are an easy way for us to assess your pet's teeth and take early action if dental disease is occurring. These checks can be combined with their yearly vaccination or you can make a time to come to the clinic any time for a free nurse dental check.  If significant dental disease is already present then an anaesthetic may be required to clean your pet's teeth and remove any diseased teeth.  These are relatively routine procedures that will help your pet live a healthier and pain free life.

Animals have to be fed anyway so a good way to prevent dental disease is feeding a diet that has properties to prevent dental disease in your pet. Dental diets act as a natural toothbrush for the teeth to help prevent plaque and tartar build up, cleaning the teeth as your pet crunches on the kibble. There are several dental diets available, we tend to recommend using Advance or Hills due to their superior action with regards to preventing dental disease and are also highly palatable.  Dental chews can also be used as a safe and easy way to clean your pet's teeth, they can also help keep pets occupied and relieve boredom.

Brushing your pet's teeth can be difficult to start as an adult so it is advised to start at a young age. Make sure to use proper pet toothbrushes and toothpaste; human tooth paste can cause problems for pets.  Bones can also help dental care, but may cause problems like broken teeth and gut obstructions. Tooth brushing is safer and more effective than chewing.

If you are unsure about your pet's teeth or have noticed a bad smell coming from their mouth have them checked out for free by one of our trained Veterinary nurses. Ring the clinic to make an appointment.  We are happy to discuss dental care for your pet at any time. And remember:

If your pet needs a dental we will give you a $100 off the cost of a dental procedure if it is done in the month of May 2012.