Believe it or not, pets need dental care much like humans do. Its important to take pets to dentists or veterinary specialists to have their teeth cared for.
If your cat has particularly bad kitty breath or your dog has a broken tooth,
chances are you need to take them to the veterinarian. Once your pet is checked over by their regular doctor, you may be referred to one of the pet dentists in your area. Dentists for your pet are specialized veterinarians that specifically work on the teeth of both domesticated and wild animals.
There are several types of patients that dentists for pets see on a regular basis. Monkeys, tigers, elephants and other exotic animals are frequenters to the dental office, along with cats, dogs, rabbits and other more common pets. Generally, no animal is too small or too large for a dental specializing veterinarian to work on.
One of the most common tasks that these doctors do is teeth cleaning. Just like humans, animals need to have their teeth cleaned on occasion. Although they don’t require regular visits like people, animals do need to have their teeth cleaned on occasion. Generally, after cleaning, a doctor will recommend special chew toys and treats to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Preventive medicine is important in pet and animal care.
Just like their human counterparts, dogs and cats can suffer from plaque build up and other common tooth ailments. Only a veterinarian comfortable with dentistry can get those teeth back to normal. If you suspect your dog is having difficulty eating because of plaque build-up, tooth decay or gum disease, make an appointment with your veterinarian. After cleaning their teeth, it is likely that your pet will be put on a special diet. Older pets especially can have problems with their teeth and have to be monitored while placed on a new diet.
Just like humans, dogs and cats can suffer from the occasional broken tooth. These teeth can become broken from accidents like being hit by a car. This is often as painful for pets and wild animals as it is for people. However, pets adapt to the broken tooth by chewing on the other side of their mouth. Owners sometime won’t notice this behavior until the broken tooth becomes abscessed or swollen. If your pet has a broken tooth, or you are concerned about their chewing behavior, make an appointment with your veterinarian before the problem gets out of hand.
Pets can also suffer from cancers in their mouth, tumors, lesions and other very serious illnesses. The best way to catch these kinds of illnesses before they develop further and take the life of your pet is to monitor their daily schedule. If they are eating, drinking and digesting regularly they should be fine. Any change in their daily behavior could indicate a problem.
Dentists and dental specialists for your pets may sound like a ridiculous concept. Taking your pets to the dentist for regular check-ups on their teeth and gums is important to maintaining their health.
