Dental disease is extremely common in domestic dogs and cats. It causes bad breath, oral discomfort, refusal to eat, difficulty eating, drooling and tooth loss. It can also cause more serious conditions associated with chronic bacterial infection of the mouth such as septic arthritis and infection of the heart valves.

Signs you may observe in your pet that indicate dental disease include:

  • Swelling of the gum tissue
  • Bad breath
  • Redness of the gums
  • Variable amounts of plaque and tartar
  • Gum surfaces bleed easily on contact (for example, during play or physical examination)
  • Loose teeth, missing teeth and exposure of tooth roots.

Dental disease can be controlled with diet (raw bones, prescription teeth cleaning diets), daily teeth cleaning at home (before dental disease starts) or with professional cleaning by your veterinarian. At St Ives Veterinary Surgery we are comitted to the health and well-being of your pet, so we are offering free dental health checks with out veterinary nurses. For more information, please phone the surgery or just bring your pet in on Monday to Friday between 11:30am to 2:30pm, to have their dental health assessed. Your veterinary nurse will be able to advise you as to what treatment options are available and suitable for your pet.