Veterinary dentistry is much more complex and time consuming than the human side of dentistry, so for this process general anesthesia and daytime hospitalization is required.
We highly recommend pre-surgical bloodwork be done to evaluate your pet's current health status and to assure safe anesthesia. A complete list of terminology and more specific reasons to do bloodwork is listed under "Facts and Forms".
When your pet is first brought in, a health exam will be given to ensure your pet is in fit condition to undergo the procedure. Following the exam, sedatives, pain meds and/or other drugs may be administered to help your pet remain calm and painfree while under anesthesia. Equipment is used to montior the animals' vital signs throughout the whole procedure, as safety is a priority for all our patients.
Once under anesthesia, our dental technician begins scaling the teeth with instruments similar to that used on humans. During this process, tartar and plaque are removed from the tooth surface and between the margins of the gums. Any dental work beyond the cosmetic cleaning, such as tooth extraction, is done by the Doctor and will be accurately assessed while the animal is under. After a thorough cleaning, the teeth are then polished and a flouride treatment is administered to help strengthen the teeth and ward off infection.
Once the dental procedure is over, your pet will be closely monitored to ensure a smooth and healthy recovery. Pain medications and/or other treatments may be given if deemed necessary.
When you come to pick up your pet, a Veterinary assistant or a Doctor will go over the procedure with you and discuss instructions for home recovery.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
1. Do NOT feed your pet after 8:00 the night before the procedure; food in the stomach can harmfully interact with the anesthesia.
2. Drop your pet off between 7:00-8:00 AM the morning of the procedure; by doing this, we will be able to get all vitals and diagnostics on your pet first thing, so when the doctor's arrive, they will be all set to go.
3. The doctors will keep you updated on your pet's condition during the recovery stage. Please leave as many phone numbers as needed so we may be able to reach you, thus preventing any communication problems.
4. On a normal day, your animal will be ready to go home anytime after 4:30PM. The time may change slightly, but we will let you know what we think is the most comfortable and beneficial for you and your pet.
