Ways To Treat Dental Disease In Pets

Dental disease in pet cats and dogs is more than just plaque, tartar, and tooth loss. It also involves infection, pain, and inflammation which, when left untreated can possibly lead to serious problems in the heart, liver, and kidney as pathogens from the mouth reach major body organs via the bloodstream.

If a cat or dog is found to be suffering from tooth and gum problems, a veterinarian have several treatment options to choose from depending on the existing problem and its severity, as well as the health status of the patient. These options include the following:

Dental prophylaxis

The procedure involves placing a cat or dog under general anesthesia so the mouth and its associated structures can be examined thoroughly, any plaque and tartar removed, sealants may be applied if needed, etc.

Periodontal surgery

This may be necessary when there are deeper than normal periodontal pockets around the animal’s teeth. There is a need to keep the tooth root surface smooth and clean to encourage reattachment of gum tissue. There may be a need to make a periodontal flap so all affected parts of a tooth can be accessed. In severe cases, bone grafts may be necessary.

Tooth extraction

Teeth that are severely compromised need to be removed if the vet thinks this is the only way to cure advanced or severe cases of periodontal disease.

Home care

The most important way to keep your pet’s teeth healthy is to provide regular home dental care. Ideally, brushing of your pet’s teeth should be done everyday.

Your pet will benefit from regular wellness checks and dental visits at your pet clinic Scottsdale, AZ.

How Skin Allergy Testing In Dogs Is Performed

There are several types of allergy testing that is performed in dogs and one of these is skin allergy testing. The procedure is more invasive compared to blood allergy testing. The dog needs to be sedated because there is a need to keep the patient still during the test. Once the dog is sedated, it is placed on its side and a small area on its side is shaved. Next several test allergens are injected in tiny amounts via individual small needles. The allergens are injected in a specific pattern and order just under the skin of the patient so the allergen can be identified if there is a small raised reaction on the dog’s skin. The skin is usually examined after a few hours to determine if there is a reaction and which allergens elicited a response. Based on the results, your vet Scottsdale, AZ can prescribe an appropriate treatment protocol.