DENTAL DISEASE: A SILENT KILLER
Bad breath is not a disease in itself. It is a symptom of an underlying problem. Often that underlying problem is periodontal disease. Left unchecked, poor dental health can lead to loss of teeth and serious infections throughout your cat's body. The harmful bacteria associated with dental disease produce blood infections which can damage your cat's vital organs.
As bacteria from the periodontal infection enters the bloodstream, it gets pumped into the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. After a period of time, the bacteria can cause serious diseases such as encephalitis, heart disease and irreversible kidney disease.
Prevention is the ideal. Studies show that by age three, more than 70% of cats show some signs of gum disease. You can help prevent gum disease by removing plaque regularly as part of your pet's home dental care routine. Most cats need professional teeth cleaning every six to 12 months.
Our dental services include teeth cleaning and polishing, and tooth extractions. The pictures to the left show before (top) with tartar build-up and after (bottom) the dental cleaning.
To schedule an exam for tooth evaluation and predental preparation, please call our client care specialists today.
