Dr Michael Lawley works exclusively in veterinary dentistry.
Teamwork makes the dream work🤩
Dr Mike is specialised in cat and dog dentistry, which includes the cleaning, adjustment, filing, extraction or repair of your pet's teeth and all other aspects of oral health care.
Dr Gabby performs anaesthesia for all our procedures and makes sure that all our patients are safe, comfortable and happy.
Both Dr Mike and Dr Gabby are supported by our team of highly trained veterinary nurses.❤️🩹
Dental X-rays...
🦷are essential for diagnosing dental disease.
🦷can show us what is happening to the tooth roots and bone surrounding the roots
🦷are also very useful in deciding if a chip off a tooth has extended to the pulp cavity (where the blood and nerve supply of the tooth is) and if there is evidence of infection
🦷are important when it comes to any dental extractions. Pre-extraction radiographs allow you to detect pathologic fractures present and post-extractions should be performed to ensure that the extraction is complete
Influence of chewing on dental health in dogs🦷
🥕chewing mechanically disrupts the accumulating plaque, and is therefore a self-cleaning action
🥕chewing also stimulates the flow of saliva, which contains anti-bacterial agents that help to clean the mouth
🥕helps to eradicate bad breath - breath fresheners are a component found in most dental treats and are specially formulated to eliminate bad breath
Chews for cleaner teeth👇🏻
🥕dental chews
🥕crunchy vegetables - carrots, cucumbers, celery
🥕dental toys
What kind of teeth does your cat have and what are they for?🦷
🦷Incisors - small teeth found at the front, used for scraping, nibbling
🦷Canines - long pointed teeth behind the incisors, used to tear meat apart
🦷Premolars - sharp edged teeth, behind canines, used to shred food
🦷Carnassials - the cheek teeth, used to shear flesh and bone
An adult cat should have teeth 30 in total - 16 on upper jaw and 14 on the bottom jaw.
None of the teeth of cats, including their molars, have grinding surfaces - they clearly evolved to eat "meat". Dogs are also carnivores, but do have grinding surfaces on their molar teeth.
Dental Procedure Aftercare🦷
Typically pets will be slightly sleepier the night of the general anaesthetic. It is best to have a quiet place to recover where they will not be excessively disturbed by people or other pets.
Sleeping inside is advised after an anaesthetic.
We would advise no walks this evening after the GA, any restrict activity for a day or so after the procedure.
There may be a small amount of blood from the mouth this evening. If this seems excessive please contact us.
Feeding a smaller amount of food than usual on the evening of the anaesthetic is advised.
Feeding smaller chunks of food for the next 2 weeks (Prime 100 roll). Dry food will be fine in 1 week. It is important to avoid tinned or sticky food such as mince for the week after the procedure, hard toys and chews for the 2 weeks after the procedures.
If you are at all concerned at anytime please contact us on 6277 9430 or for after hours advice, The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University on 1300 652 494.
Perfect recipe for dental homecare🦷
🦷Daily Brushing - helps to remove food, bacteria and plaque before it turns into tough-to-remove tartar
🦷Dental Diets - Formulated with high-quality ingredients that help to reduce tartar build-up
🦷Water and Food Additives - they help to break down tartar and fight bacteria that can cause bad breath
🦷Dental Chews and Treats - Tasty way to help to keep teeth clean
Case Study - Daisy🐶
A 2 year old Greyhound named Daisy presented for assessment of Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis (CCUS)
She had full mouth extractions because annual cleaning increases the risk of thrombolytic syndrome which could result in haemorrhage.
Daisy had contact mucositis, generalised marked gingivitis with inflammation extending past the mucogingival line, moderate periodontitis and mild to moderate calculus accumulation. All teeth were removed. Extractions were performed in two stages.
A general anaesthesia and analgesia plan was performed by our registered specialist veterinary anaesthetist, Dr Gabby Musk.
A complete oral examination, full mouth radiographs and extractions were performed by dentist, Dr Mike.
Daisy recovered well and without teeth or being able to chew, she's happy to eat warm chicken fillet.🥰
Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis (CCUS)🦷
Canine chronic ulcerative stomatitis is a spontaneously occurring, painful, and often debilitating condition of the oral cavity, with a suspected immune-mediated component.
Patients with CCUS experience oral pain, maybe reluctant to open their mouth, have bad breath, can be hesitant to eat or may drool.
Your pet should receive professional teeth cleaning and polishing with a strict regimen of daily oral hygiene/tooth brushing at home.
When regular scaling and polishing, daily brushing, supplements are not successful, or the ulcerations are long-standing or advanced, tooth extractions are necessary.
CCUS and periodontal disease is two separate conditions that may be present on their own or together. Certain breeds such as Greyhounds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Labradors are commonly affected breeds.
Case Study - Charlie🐶
An almost 8 years old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Charlie presented for routine COHAT.
Charlie needed intra-oral radiographs, probing, professional scale and polish, extractions.
A general anaesthesia was performed by our specialist anaesthetist, Dr Gabby Musk.
A complete oral examination, full mouth radiographs, scale and polish and extractions were performed by dentist, Dr Mike.
Charlie had tooth resorption of multiple teeth, moderate gingivitis and periodontitis. A total of five teeth were removed.
Charlie recovered well and will be back to snacking in no time at all!❤️🩹
Here at Animal Dental Clinic, Dr Mike is supported by a Board-certified Veterinary Anaesthetist Dr Gabrielle Musk.🦷
Dr Gabby is a highly respected and experienced Veterinary Anaesthetist who completed her residency training at the University of Glasgow and became a Diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in 2005. She has worked in many facets of the veterinary industry including teaching and research.
She performs anaesthesia for all our procedures including complex tooth extractions particularly in high risk and geriatric patients, routine professional cleaning and polishing on difficult anaesthesia patients and dental radiology.
The advantage of having a trained anaesthetist is that older dogs and cats with heart and concurrent medical conditions can be safely managed under anaesthesia with this extra expertise.
Dr Gabby is working behind the scenes in the hospital and makes sure that all our patients are safe, comfortable and happy.❤️🩹
COHAT - Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment🦷
Despite proper dental homecare for pets, it's recommended that most pets have a full oral exam and dental prophylaxis every 6-12 months depending on their breed and overall needs.
It's called Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) to better describe all that is involved since it is much more than a cleaning.
COHATs are a vital part to your pet’s overall health, quality of life, and longevity. People are encouraged to have a comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment every 6 months despite the fact that we generally brush our teeth twice daily and floss.
Pets teeth are no different, except that they generally can't tell us when something is wrong or they are experiencing pain, making COHAT’s even more important.
COHAT is performed under general anesthesia since pets will not willingly allow us to do thorough exam, x-rays and cleaning without it. With the board-certified anesthesiologist at Animal Dental Clinic managing your pet’s anesthesia, you can rest assured that your pet will be in good hands throughout the procedure.
Case Study - Hazel🐶
A 13-year-old Retriever called Hazel presented for assessment of periodontal disease.
Hazel needed COHAT and surgical extractions of max carnassials.
A general anaesthesia was performed by our specialist anaesthetist, Dr Gabby Musk after preliminary blood testing.
A complete oral examination and full mouth radiographs were performed by dentist, Dr Mike.
Hazel had heavy dental calculus and gingivitis that required professional cleaning, and root resorption and bone loss of max carnassials that required surgical extraction. A total of four teeth were removed.
Hazel recovered well and was eating and drinking the next day like nothing had happened.🥰
History of Veterinary Dentistry🦷
Veterinary dental history starts with equine dentistry - the horse was the focus of most attention, because of its importance for transportation, mechanical power, military use and sport.🐎
1762 - the first veterinary dental school
It was founded in Lyon, France and it proved to be the first step in the most recent movement and explosion of veterinary dental knowledge
1889 - the first veterinary dental text was published
1905 and 1938 - the first veterinary dental book was published
These books began to include techniques not only in equine dentistry, but in small animal dentistry as well.
1930's - in Vienna, Joseph Bodingbauer proved to be a pioneer in small animal dentistry
During this period, the focus of veterinary dental science shifted from horses to dogs, cats, and other small animals.
1990 - The Australian Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) was established
1993 - The Australian Veterinary Dental Society starts to produce a quarterly newsletter
Small animal dentistry got off to a slow start compared with horses. The very early descriptions of dental or oral surgical procedures in dogs sound barbaric (particularly given the absence of practical anesthetic techniques).
Why is anesthesia necessary for dental procedures?😴
Going to the dentist is a scary endeavor for many humans, so you can imagine how terrifying it can be for our pets, who can’t understand what’s happening and why it’s necessary for their health.
While a human dental patient can sit cooperatively with their mouth open wide, our veterinary patients don’t know what we’re doing and don’t understand that we’re trying to help.
The dental procedure is scary and uncomfortable for an awake pet. There are bright lights, strange noises, unfamiliar sensations in their mouth, and they need to keep their mouth open wide for the duration of the procedure – which they can’t willingly do the same way a human can.
Anesthesia does not only make the process less frightening, but allows us to provide a better quality of care and makes the procedure safer.
Anesthesia also allows your pet to rest comfortably during the procedure, completely unaware of what’s going on around them.
Thanks to anesthesia, we are able to use various pain control options to ensure your pet remains comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure.
With the board-certified anesthesiologist at Animal Dental Clinic managing your pet’s anesthesia, you can rest assured that your pet will be in good hands throughout the procedure.🤍
You can find me working at the new Animal Dermatology Clinic Perth premises on Murdoch Drive, Murdoch on Fridays.
Refer your patients, who need endodontics (root canal treatment, pulp capping for broken or damaged teeth), complex tooth extractions, routine professional cleaning and polishing, periodontics (gum disease treatment including laser therapy gingival hyperplasia), orthodontic assessment and treatment, dental radiology or laser therapy for gingival enlargement treatment.
To book an appointment, ask for referral from your primary care veterinarian and call on 08 6277 9430 or send us an email [email protected]🤍
📸 Sabine Albers
Dog's teeth are like icebergs🦷
Icebergs give us a great analogy for dental disease. This is because we can only see the top of the tooth on physical examination and the roots remain hidden underneath the gum line.
The visible crown is usually only about one-third the length of the tooth. For incisor teeth, the crowns are only about one-fourth the length of the tooth.
Vet students👩🏻🎓👨🏻🎓
Veterinary medicine students of the Murdoch University undertake practical placements at ADC Perth Murdoch clinic.
Vet students develop practical skills and expand theoretical knowledge when observing diagnostic and treatment processes and perform routine procedures, such as taking a blood sample, inserting a intravenous catheter, cutting nails etc.
Routine dental clean🦷
A routine dental cleaning involves a thorough dental examination, followed by dental X-rays, dental scaling and polishing and complex tooth extractions if needed.
Either your regular vet or we will perform pre-anesthetic blood tests to ensure that kidney and liver function are satisfactory for anesthesia. Dr Mike is supported by a Board-certified anaesthetist and a team of highly trained team which is perfect for all those older dogs and cats.
Once your pet is anesthetized, Dr Mike will thoroughly examine it's mouth, noting the alignment of the teeth and the extent of tartar accumulation both above and below the gumline.
Intraoral radiographs (dental X-rays) to assess the viability of the tooth root and surrounding bone is also performed.
Next, tooth scaling and polishing will be performed to remove all traces of tartar, both above and below the gum line.
After scaling, the teeth are polished to remove microscopic scratches that occur during scaling. A smooth surface on the tooth is essential to prevent plaque from easily sticking to the tooth's enamel.
Dental extraction is performed if necessary and repeat dental X-rays to ensure all bits of root have been removed.
Ask for a referral from you regular vet and book your appointment in today on 08 6277 9430!
Common dental diseases in dogs🐶🦷
There are studies that report dogs over the age of three suffer from some form of dental disease.
Dental diseases in dogs can cause serious pain and discomfort, which can impact a dog's quality of life.
Until problems are more severe, a dog likely won’t complain or show easily noticeable signs of discomfort for their dental health.
Three most common dental diseases in dogs are:
🦷gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) - In gingivitis, the gums become inflamed because of bacterial plaque, but the ligaments and bone are not yet affected.
In periodontitis, the tissue damage is more severe and includes the gums, ligaments, and bone.
🦷traumas - fractured teeth and jaws because of trauma (dog fights, chewing, falls, traffic accidents)
🦷developmental abnormalities - improper bite, unerupted teeth, enamel defects.
Depending on your dog's age, breed and existing medical conditions, you should have their teeth checked at least once a year.
Common dental diseases in cats🐱🦷
There are studies that report cats older than four years of age suffer from some form of dental disease.
Dental diseases in cats can cause serious pain and discomfort, which can impact a cat's quality of life.
In many cases, dental disease causes a cat to stop eating, which can lead to a variety of other health problems.
Three most common dental diseases in cats are:
🦷gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) - In gingivitis, the gums become inflamed because of bacterial plaque, but the ligaments and bone are not yet affected.
In periodontitis, the tissue damage is more severe and includes the gums, ligaments, and bone.
🦷tooth resorption - a condition in which the body begins breaking down and absorbing the structures that form the tooth.
🦷traumas - fractured teeth and jaws because of trauma (cat fight, falls, traffic accidents)
Fortunately, most of these diseases are largely preventable or treatable with appropriate preventive dental care and monitoring.
How do I know if my pet has dental disease?🦷
As a descendant of wild animals, our domesticated dogs and cats are practiced at hiding signs of pain and discomfort, but there are still some important clues you can look for.
🦷 Bad breath
🦷 Inflamed gums
🦷 Plaque and calculus build up
🦷 Swollen jaw
🦷 Trouble chewing and swallowing
🦷 Excessive drooling
🦷 Decreased interest in food
Contact us on 08 6277 9430 to book your dental check, so we can examine your pet’s mouth and help you with advice to prevent the development of dental disease.
Dental X-rays🦷
It's important to take dental X-rays to see inside the dog's teeth and areas below the gum line that are hidden from view.
Teeth might appear normal, but the X-ray may show signs of more serious diseases that are causing your dog's discomfort.
Unlike humans, dogs need to be under general anaesthesia for dental examination and X-rays.
Dogs need an oral examination under anesthesia whenever there are missing, discolored, or broken teeth, swollen and inflamed gums, oral growths, or bad breath.
Ask for a referral from you regular vet and book your appointment in today on 08 6277 9430!
Some of the things to make a note of when you bring your pet to the dental vet:
👉🏼The type of symptoms you’ve noticed.
👉🏼The times you notice symptoms.
👉🏼Information on your pet’s eating and chewing habits, dental care, lifestyle etc.
👉🏼The names and doses of all of your pet’s current medications.
👉🏼Details of any underlying illness.
👉🏼Previous dental treatments
Lastly, bring a list of questions to ask your veterinarian.
It’s easy to forget all the things you wanted to discuss when you’re here in the consult room.
🦷What kind of teeth does your dog have and what are they for?🦷
Take a look at our canine dental chart to explore dog teeth anatomy, the different types of teeth and what they're used for🤓
🦷Incisors - small teeth found at the front, used for scraping, nibbling
🦷Canines - long pointed teeth behind the incisors, used to tear meat apart
🦷Premolars - sharp edged teeth, behind canines, used to shred food
🦷Carnassials - the cheek teeth, used to shear flesh and bone
An adult dog should have 42 teeth in total - 20 on top jaw and 22 on the bottom jaw.
Your pet dental care goals for 2024🦷
🦷Daily Brushing - helps to remove food, bacteria and plaque before it turns into tough-to-remove tartar
🦷Water Additives - they help to break down tartar and fight bacteria that can cause bad breath
🦷Dental Chews and Treats - Tasty way to help to keep teeth clean
🦷Dental Diets - Formulated with high-quality ingredients that help to reduce tartar build-up
If you need help with your pet's dental care, ask for a referral from you regular vet and book your appointment in today - 08 6277 9430!
Services we provide at Animal Dermatology Clinic Perth premises include:
🦷Endodontics (root canal treatment, pulp capping for broken or damaged teeth)
🦷Treatment of base narrow canines
🦷Complex tooth extractions particularly in high risk and geriatric patients with co-morbidities
🦷Routine professional cleaning and polishing on difficult anaesthesia patients
🦷Periodontics (gum disease treatment including laser therapy gingival hyperplasia)
🦷Orthodontic assessment and treatment for young dogs and cats
🦷Treatment of Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis and Juvenile Periodontitis
🦷Management of Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis (CCUS)
🦷Dental radiology
🦷Laser therapy for gingival enlargement treatment
Dr Mike is supported by a Board-certified anaesthetist and a team of highly trained team which is perfect for all those older dogs and cats.
Ask for a referral from you regular vet and book your appointment in today!
Welcome to Dr Michael Lawley's page!🦷
Dr Michael Lawley has a special interest in veterinary dentistry and is a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery.
He teaches the veterinary dentistry undergraduate program at the School of Veterinary Medicine and is a member of academic staff at Murdoch University delivering all the dental lectures, practical classes and small group clinical teaching to the veterinary undergraduate students.
He is an examiner for the Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. He also conducts regular small animal dentistry workshops across Australia.
Dr Mike graduated from Murdoch University in 1987 and has extensive veterinary experience both in the UK and Australia.
We are delighted to announce that Dr Michael Lawley will be receiving veterinary dental referrals at the new Animal Dermatology Clinic - Perth premises on Murdoch Drive, Murdoch on Fridays.
We are also very pleased to announce that Dr Mike will be supported by a Board-certified anaesthetist and a team of highly trained team which is perfect for all those older dogs and cats.
Let’s connect on socials! We'll post lots of tips and tricks to help you improve your pet's dental health and prevent dental diseases.🦷
Unit 7/170 Murdoch Drive
Perth, WA
6150
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What to happens during your pet’s dental procedure? ❣️pets need to be anesthetized during their dental procedure 🦷thorough examination of the whole oral cavity (including below the gumline) 🦷take x-rays (to look for “hidden diseases”) 🦷removal of plaque, tartar and polishing 🦷extractions (removing the teeth) or other procedures as necessary #drmikelawley #animaldentalclinic #vetdentalprocedure
Throwback Thursday to a procedure day at Murdoch clinic.😍 #vetdentalprocedure
Throwback Thursday to a procedure day at Murdoch clinic.😍 #vetdentalprocedure
The Vet Connection East Fremantle
May Street
