19 Ryde Road, Pymble, NSW 2073
Dental disease – the silent epidemic
By John Morgan | Dated July 15, 2022
Dental disease is best assessed under general anaesthetic. This patient has severe tartar build-up, gingivitis and infection and will likely need several extractions
It’s that time of year again – Pet Dental Health Month!
Dental disease is a silent epidemic affecting our pets. Most recent surveys suggest that 80% of dogs and cats over three years of age have some degree of dental disease. A lot of the time, owners don’t even realise their pet has dental disease. This isn’t really surprising since it can be difficult to examine their teeth at home, especially those big molars at the back. Our pets are also masters at hiding pain and will continue to eat even with advanced dental disease. Not only is dental disease painful, but infections in the mouth can spread bacteria to the heart, kidneys and liver which can be life threatening!
So how can you tell if your dog or cat has dental disease?
Your pet’s breath is a good clue. Smelly breath can be a sign of bacterial infection. You may also see gingivitis (red, inflamed gums) and tartar (brown/grey staining on teeth). As dental disease becomes more advanced, the gums and bone can be erode away and the teeth can become wobbly. Dogs that like to chew hard objects can also fracture their teeth and cats can get resorptive lesions (holes) in their teeth.
At Gordon Vet hospital, we take your pet’s dental health seriously! To help you keep your pet’s mouth in great shape, we are running our annual pet dental health month again. Due to high demand in previous years, dental ‘month’ this year will run from the 1st July until the 19th August. During this time, we are offering free dental health consults. We are also discounting dental procedures by 10% and sending pets home with a dental prophylactic goodie bag after their procedure. Our aim is to keep your pet in great health, and having a clean healthy mouth is an important part of that.
Written by John Morgan
John first started with Gordon Vet Hospital back in 2004 as a weekend Nurse while studying Veterinary Science. When he graduated he worked in Goulburn for a few years before spending 2 years doing locum work through Canada. John returned to Australia in 2013 and came back to Gordon Vet Hospital. John completed his postgraduate studies in Small Animal Practice in 2013 and in 2015 gained Membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Surgery.
