Anesthesia allows your pet to rest painlessly throughout cleaning, even when painful procedures such as tooth extractions are needed. A complete dental exam and x-rays can reveal problems that require immediate action that cannot be treated without anesthesia. Dogs need regular dental care, just like humans. The dental tartar you see build up on your dog's teeth is about 80 percent bacteria and inflames and damages the gums, the bone underneath, and the ligaments that hold the teeth in place.
This bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and heart. Veterinarians encourage dental cleaning because dental disease is painful for your dog. Regular brushing with dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste, dental treats, and specific diets for teeth will help decrease dental tartar buildup and hopefully reduce the risk of dental disease. Most of our canine companions will eventually need a complete dental cleaning with dental x-rays under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian.
It's common knowledge that dogs are prone to cavities. When they do have teeth problems, it's not uncommon to see veterinarians or dentists putting them under anesthesia for a cleaning. While it may seem a strange idea, there are many benefits to this method, including pain relief and the fact that it's safer than letting the disease progress.
Preparation
If your dog is due for a teeth cleaning, there are some steps you can take to ensure its comfort during the process. First, you'll want to ensure it doesn't have any food or water after 10pm the night before the procedure.
Next, you'll want to keep an eye on its weight. This helps your vet determine if it can handle the procedure. If your pet is underweight, the chances of complications are increased.
You'll also want to be aware of any pain or discomfort your dog might be experiencing. This includes sore gums. You may want to bring some ice cream or cooked meats to soothe the irritation.
Finally, be sure to check with your veterinarian before deciding on a dental cleaning. He or she will be able to answer your questions about anesthetics and possible complications.
A dental consult is another option. This is not a full oral exam, but it's a good way to find out if your dog really needs a teeth cleaning.
Pain relief
When you are scheduled to have your dog undergo teeth cleaning, there is a possibility that he will have pain. The good news is that pain relief is available. But it can only be provided by your veterinarian.
Before the procedure begins, your vet will conduct an examination of your pet's mouth. This includes checking the teeth, gums, lungs, heart and blood. Any changes in posture or squinting can be an indication of oral discomfort.
During the examination, your veterinarian may also take a blood sample to check for any kidney or liver problems. These tests will ensure that your pet's liver is able to handle the anesthetic.
Your veterinarian will prescribe analgesic medications. These may be human medications or painkillers formulated for dogs.
Anesthesia is often required for dental procedures. While anesthesia will not remove the pain from your dog's mouth, it can make him comfortable and allow him to tolerate the process more easily.
Cost
Dental cleaning for your dog can be a costly process. The cost will depend on your dog's age, size, and the type of procedure you choose. It may also vary from one vet's office to another.
Generally, the more extensive the procedure, the more money it will cost. If your dog needs a tooth extracted, the cost of the operation can reach several thousand dollars.
The costs for putting dogs under for teeth cleaning vary greatly from clinic to clinic. The cost will also depend on the number of extractions, the age of the dog, and the amount of anesthesia used.
The average cost for a regular dental cleaning varies from $100 to $300, with the most comprehensive cleaning costing around $1,000. If your dog has periodontal disease, the costs can increase.
A small breed of dog, such as a Chihuahua, has a higher risk of developing gum recession and losing their teeth. Getting a pet dental insurance policy can save you thousands of dollars.
Dental x-rays allow the veterinarian to see much of the tooth that is below the gum line. The frequency of these cleanings will vary depending on the person and the amount of dental care at home. Dental disease often worsens in small dogs and toy breeds. Small dogs have large teeth for their small mouth, which causes the teeth to crowd together.
Overcrowding allows food and debris to build up between your teeth and cause plaque and stones to build up. This, in turn, can lead to tooth loss and infection. In contrast, larger dogs tend to chew toys and other things that keep their teeth healthier, but we often see fractures in these dogs from chewing stones and bones. When picking treats, choose products with the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal; these treats tend to be the right balance for your dog's teeth.
As always, consult your veterinarian about which dental program is right for your dog. With anesthesia, of course, there is always a risk. But anesthesia has come a long way. A preoperative blood test is in place to make sure everything is working properly and that your dog can metabolize the anesthesia.
Your dog is constantly monitored before, during and after the procedure. But be sure to discuss your concern with your veterinarian. He said pet owners need to know that every time their pet is placed under anesthesia, there is a risk. “It could be a minimal risk or it could be a high risk and that absolutely depends, I would say, on the patient's age and physical condition,” Marks said.
For dog and cat patients with periodontal disease, the goal of treatment is to remove plaque and calculus from the teeth. General anesthesia is necessary to provide access to subgingival areas, where bacteria can contribute to local and sometimes systemic inflammation. There are a wide range of problems including extractions, fractured teeth, and dental radiology that require an anesthetic procedure. However, a veterinarian may not want to anesthetize a pet with medical problems and will instead use a non-anesthetic procedure to clean the teeth of a dog or cat.
The other goal of a non-anesthetic dental cleaning is to prevent periodontal disease in a healthy dog or cat. You can have your pet's teeth cleaned without anesthesia, whether they are young and healthy or have health problems. Non-anesthetic dental cleanings complement anesthetic dental procedures and are recommended primarily as prevention and maintenance. Cleanings without anesthesia are not a substitute for dental procedures in which anesthesia is involved.
Non-anesthetic dentists focus on removing plaque from the visible part or crown of the tooth. With that in mind, you can see that there are clear differences between a non-anesthetic and an anesthetic dental cleaning for pets. Requires pre-anesthetic laboratory testing to ensure that the pet's internal organs can withstand general anesthesia According to VCA Hospitals, the pre-anesthetic blood test will show any abnormalities to allow adjustments to be made to the pet's treatment plan. Go here for a breakdown of HealysMiles non-anesthetic dental cleanings costs.
Newell said the family took their pet dog to have his teeth cleaned at Banfield Pet Hospital inside an Apex PetSmart, located at 1031 Beaver Creek Commons Road. While not all canine dental cleanings include anesthesia, it is highly recommended so that the veterinarian can give your dog a complete and effective treatment. . .
