Veterinary Dentistry & Dental Surgery
Our Angel Animal Hospital veterinarians provide restorative and preventative pet dental care and surgical services for dogs and cats.
Comprehensive Dog & Cat Dental Care
Your pet's routine dental care is a key part of their overall health care, however, many pets aren't able to get the dental care they need in order to keep their gums and teeth healthy.
At our veterinary hospital in Farmington Hills, we are able to provide comprehensive preventative and restorative pet dental care for your dog or cat, from cleaning and polishing their teeth to performing surgeries.
We are also passionate about providing pet dental health education to help pet owners care for their dog or cat's teeth at home.
Pet Dental Surgery in Farmington Hills
We know that finding out that your pet requires dental surgery can be overwhelming. We make every effort to make this process as stress free as possible for both you and your pet.
We will take every measure to make sure your pet is as comfortable and cared for as possible throughout the procedure. We will walk you through each step of the procedure so you understand why and how we are treating your pet in the course of our surgical procedure. We will also walk through any special care you will have to provide your pet before and after the surgery.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Cat & Dog Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Your cat or dog should attend a routine dental examination at least once per year. Pets who are more prone to oral health issues may require a more frequent schedule of dental care.
Angel Animal Hospital can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Assessment
We will conduct a thorough assessment of your pet's overall health before administering anesthetic.
We will take blood and urine analyses to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
Next, we will clean your pet's teeth and polish each one individually, both below and above their gum line. We will then apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth as well.
The final step is to apply a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is found, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
We offer a complimentary follow-up examination of your pet's dental health which we will schedule for around 2 weeks after the initial assessment and treatment.
During this visit, we will discuss implementing teeth brushing at home. We can also recommend products that can help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our patients about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets can develop oral health issues like tooth decay or gum disease, just like people.
When our pets eta, plaque sticks to their teeth. If it isn't cleaned regularly, that plaque can build up into harmful tartar.
This can lead to infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. That's why regular dental care is essential to preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know behavior may be an indication of oral health problems? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, or they may drool excessively (and the drool may contain pus or blood), or you may notice them pawing at their mouth or teeth. They may also yawn excessively, grind their teeth, or stop grooming sufficiently.
Other signs of oral health concerns can include tooth discoloration, swollen gums and bad breath. Some pets may even suffer from pain that prevents them from eating. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Besides causing problems ranging from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Your pet may develop tumors or cysts ad a consequence of oral health issues. They may also feel generally unwell (just think about if you've ever had a toothache: it affects your day-to-day life!). As well, diseases and conditions related to poor oral health can shorten their lifespan significantly.
This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During your pet's regularly schedule oral exam, one of our vets will examine their mouth to check for possible symptoms of oral health issues which may require treatment.
The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your cat's or dog's teeth. If cavities, gingivitis or other conditions need to be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and provide advice on which actions you should take.
In some instances, surgery will be required to treat serious health issues or conditions. We will provide your pet with anesthetic to make sure they are comfortable and don't feel any pain during the procedure. However, special care will be needed post-surgery.
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a dental appointment with us.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
You should brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis on top of providing them with dental chew toys or treats. When done together, they will help ensure your pet's good oral health.
Do not allow them to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as bones, toys or objects that are too hard. Always contact your vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Dogs and cats don't understand what is happening when they are undergoing a dental procedure. They will often react to this confusion by biting or struggling.
We provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to examine their mouth as needed.