Canine Dental Care: How to Prevent Surgery for Westport Dogs
When it comes to dental hygiene for your four-legged friend, it can’t be stressed enough the importance of both home and professional care. While most vets will tell you that you need to start from the time that your dog is a puppy, it’s never too late to start. Surgery for dental issues can be costly and a little scary, so the best way to prevent it in the first place is for Westport pet owners to take the initiative and provide their pet with daily dental care at home. If you aren’t sure about what products are best, go ahead and ask at the next veterinary check-up.
Home measures are great and should be done daily, but you will want to follow-up with annual check-ups with a dental specialist. Dogs scared of loud noises or issues with any type of medical procedure may need to be medicated during the professional cleaning to keep them safe and prevent accidental bites. Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth provides basic and advanced dentistry services for both cats and dogs. Our team is very experienced in what it takes to make your pet comfortable while getting their teeth cleaned and worked on at our office. If you have any questions about canine dental care, make sure to ask.
When Surgery is Needed
Dogs that don’t receive proper dental care may need drastic measures to remain healthy. Loose teeth will often fall out on their own, but can also break or be infected, putting your dog’s health at risk. If you suspect an issue with your dog’s tooth, bring them in for a veterinary check-up right away. Unlike a human doctor, your local vet at Anchor Animal Hospital can help with a wide range of services, including basic medical and dental all under one roof. Westport pet owners should schedule an appointment right away or bring their pet into the urgent care clinic if there are any serious issues with pain or infection in a tooth.
If the tooth needs to be extracted and major dental work needs to be done, your veterinarian will walk you through the process. It is important that you follow the after surgery care regimen carefully to help your pet heal after the surgery. Again, a dog scared of loud noises or unfamiliar situations can put himself in danger, so the first step toward keeping your pet safe and helping him to heal is to confine him in a crate or gated area so he can rest. There are many different types of anesthesia, and you need to keep your pet calm for the first 24 hours or so after surgery. This will help to speed recovery and prevent complications.
Other tips after canine dental care and surgery include:
- keep your pet warm, providing comfort if necessary to ensure proper rest and relaxation
- monitor food and water intake – make sure they eat according to the veterinarian’s recommendations and ensure that they are drinking enough water to stay hydrated
- make sure that your home and backyard are free of obstacles that a post-surgery and possibly groggy pet might not be able to navigate without hurting himself
- follow your vet’s instructions carefully to make sure that you administer pain medications, anti-inflammatory prescriptions, and antibiotics following the surgery
- be aware that your pet may be more sensitive after surgery; such as a dog scared of loud noises might even become scared or jumpy at regular household sounds
- keep your dog away from other pets, as they will have a new “smell” coming home from the vet that the other pets may not like and the extra attention might be too much if everyone comes to greet them when they get home
- make sure your pet goes outside right away, as they will usually have IV fluids during surgery and end up needing to relieve themselves more on the first day
Bring Your Dog in for Canine Dental Care
If you can avoid dental surgery for your dog, you should do so at all costs. Not only will it reduce the risks associated with dental disease, but it will also save you money in the long run. Dental surgery can cost thousands of dollars, require a lot of medication, and make your dog very uncomfortable. Westport pet owners who want to learn more about canine dental care or would like to schedule a veterinary check-up to determine their pet’s dental health can contact Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth by calling 508-996-3731.