Dental Care For Your Pet

Three Steps to Success Your pet needs dental care - regular, professional care from your Veterinarian at Dunedin Animal Medical Center, as well as care at home from you. The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends that pet owners follow three basic steps:

STEP 1: Take your pet to Dunedin Animal Medical Center for a dental exam. Don’t wait for his annual checkup if you suspect a problem.

STEP 2: Begin a dental care regimen at home (Tooth Brushing - if possible). Our Veterinarians will examine your pets' mouth and make medically necessary recommendations to keep your pet healthy and happy. One of the most convenient and effective ways to combat oral disease is feeding specially formulated foods proven effective in combating plaque and tarter buildup. 

For information on the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) and how specially formulated pet foods can help your pet, visit http://www.vohc.org/

STEP 3: Schedule regular veterinary checkups. These are essential in helping your veterinarian at Dunedin Animal Medical Center monitor the progress of your pet's dental health routine. Our veterinary health care team can help you schedule the appropriate visits.  

Schedule Your Dental-Care Appointment Today 727-738-2273

Eighty Five Percent (85%) of Adult Pets have Dental Disease

Dirty teeth may smell bad, look bad and even be painful, but the damage that you don't see is much worse. Bacteria from your pets’ infected mouth gets in to their blood circulation and eventually leads to heart, liver, kidney, and bone and joint disease, including organ failure.

If you have ever suffered from a cavity, broken tooth, abscess, or sore gums - you know what that pain feels like. Pets are very good at hiding their signs of pain.  Most pets will continue eating, even hard food, despite severe mouth pain.

Signs of dental pain in pets can be subtle i.e. being head shy, not wanting to play tug-of-war and chewing only on one side.  Signs can also be more noticeable i.e. excessive drooling, not eating and severe weight loss.

Professional Veterinary Help is only a phone call away.  Dunedin animal Medical Center Veterinarians have the knowledge, experience and equipment to address your pets’ dental needs.

Dental-Care Appointment  727-738-2273

Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning

At Dunedin Animal Medical Center Dental X-Rays are included every-time your pets' teeth are cleaned. Unlike humans that can say "Doc it hurts over here" our pets can not verbalize their pain.  It is up to their Pet Parents and Veterinarians to locate any discomfort and correct it.  Most Dental Disease occurs below the gumline and Dental X-rays are essential in its diagnosis.

The bone-loss (white arrows below) may never have been found if Dental X-rays had not been taken.

Why - Does my Dog Need Dental X-Rays?   click here

Why - Does my Cat Need Dental X-Rays?   click here

Normal - Cat and Dog Dental X-Rays

Dental X-Rays on Left -- Bone supporting the Teeth is normal in appearance

Abnormal - Cat and Dog Dental X-rays

Dental X-Rays on Right -- Bone supporting the Tooth has eroded away from tooth root (white arrows).  Tooth must be removed.