Pet Dental Care in Blaine, MN
Did you know that you can add an average of two to four years to your pet's life with proper dental care?
Dental hygiene is an important part of your pet’s health, and dental disease can often be the cause of serious illness. If left untreated, dental problems can lead to larger systemic issues in your pet, as oral bacteria enters the blood stream and may damage the kidneys, heart and liver.
However, dental disease is often overlooked by many pet owners. Unfortunately, it is estimated that more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats develop tooth and gum disease by the age of three years.
Dental disease and its serious consequences can be avoided by bringing your pet to your veterinarian for regular dental check-ups and teeth cleanings. This is why Murray Animal Hospital offers full dental cleanings as well as a range of other dental procedures.
We also are able to offer our clients computerized dental radiographs. These high-definition images provide a view below your pet’s gum line and jaw, in order to look for evidence of dental disease that cannot be seen by visual examination alone. This is a wonderful tool for enabling the treatment of dental issues before they become much larger, more painful and more expensive medical issues.
Home Dental Care
Dental care does not end with a visit to your veterinarian. You need to continue your veterinarian’s good work at home by brushing your pet’s teeth as part of a home dental care regimen. Any member of our staff can show you the proper method of brushing your pet’s teeth as well as help you select the most effective dental products for your pet.
It is also important for you to recognize the signs and symptoms of dental problems, which include:
- Bad breath – one of the first signs of dental disease
- A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line
- Red and swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when the mouth or gums are touched
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
- Loose or missing teeth