August is Pet Dental Health Month

Happy Pet Dental Health Month!

The initiative by the Australian Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) is an annual celebration of healthy smiles and the well being of our pets. It also provides vets an opportunity to discuss your pet’s dental health! And gives pet owners a friendly reminder about the importance of dental checks.

This year’s theme is “Healthy Set, Happy Pet.” But what is a healthy set? And how can you help your pets maintain their dental health? We’ve put together some handy hints to identify common dental issues and how to prevent them.

Plaque, stains and tartar build up, swollen, red gums. This pet would require a grade 2-3 dental.

How do you know if your pet has a toothache?

It can be hard to tell if your pet has a toothache. Animals have the tendency to not show pain, and often owners miss the signs. So, how can you tell if your dog or cat has a toothache?

Some common signs that may indicate something is wrongs with your pets teeth, include:

Drooling
Bad breath
Loss of appetite or inability to eat
Pawing at the mouth
Mouth hanging open / tongue out
Using one side of the mouth
Dropping food while chewing
Build-up of plaque and stains on teeth
Red swollen / bleeding gums

If your pet is showing any of these signs, make an appointment with your vet today. Annual dental health checks are an ideal opportunity for owners to find out if their pet has existing problems that may have gone unnoticed.

Dental Diseases are more common than you may think!

Did you know that periodontal diseases are one of the most common problems vets encounter? If untreated these conditions can lead to serious health problems in areas such as the kidney, heart and liver.

But don’t stress – in the early stages, periodontal diseases are reversible, if treated correctly. This is why annual dental check for your pets is extremely important! There are also some simple ways that you can protect your pets from dental diseses. These include;

Diet – provide pets with regular access to special dental treats and chews, bones and dental diets.
Dental water additives.
Regular brushing with pet toothpastes and tooth brushes.
Rinsing with special gels.

All animals, big and small, should get dental checks!

When considering dental health, it is important to remember that not only cats and dogs are affected. Animals such as horses and rabbits should have regular dentals checks in order to maintain their overall health and prevent the development of other health issues.

How to Help Your Pet get a Healthy Set

Maintaining your pets’ dental health doesn’t have to be difficult! Annual health checks will indicate any issues that may have occurred, dental or otherwise, and give you a chance to speak to us about any concerns.

All through August Oakleigh Central Vet is celebrating Pet Dental Health Month by with some exciting discounts and giveaways.

Contact us