14/01/2025
As our pets are living longer due to better nutrition and care, we are seeing more and more dental disease. While there is no set age this can develop, animals over 10 are more at risk of gingivitis, plaque and tooth loss.
It is worth noting that even animals with severe dental disease usually do not present to us fully inappetant. The signs of dental disease can be more subtle, with the most common sign being bad breath.
Why is dental disease such a problem? As with humans, dental disease can be very painful, which can lead to behavioural issues and discomfort while eating. Infections also develop, which can lead to extreme painful abscesses and osteomyelitis (bone infection) and are also known to accelerate heart disease, especially endocarditis.
Our nurse clinics can help you to manage your pet's dental health, in both young and elderly animals, by discussing methods of prevention and assessing if dental procedures are required. If dental work is required, our nurses can run pre-anaesthetic blood work and health checks and guide you through what to expect on the day of your pet's procedure. Our nurse clinics run on Tuesdays and Thursday and can be booked online or by telephone 046-9549886.
