It’s important we don’t forget about our furry friends’ dental needs! We as pet owners may forget what seems like a small detail, but it can impact their everyday life. We have to remember that they do not brush their teeth everyday like we do, so all that build up sits there and accumulates over time. With every examination of your pet, our Veterinarians will do a full Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) plan in order to make tailored dental care plans, catch any concerns before they become a problem and let you know of anything that needs addressing immediately.

Signs your pet needs a COHAT:

1. Discolored teeth
2. Persistent bad breath
3. Persistent change in breath
4. Loose or rotten teeth
5. Broken Tooth or Teeth
6. Inflamed (Red and Swollen) Gums
7. Appetite changes
8. Reluctant or stopped use of chewing toys
9. Frequently dropping toys
10. Difficulty Chewing
11. Vocalizing while eating/chewing on toys

What to Expect with your Pet’s COHAT Exam

Our Veterinarians will see your pet prior to the dental procedure to do a full Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) plan and show you what is needed to maintain your pet’s dental care. As well, if any treatment is needed such as extractions, they will show you and explain this as well. The exam will also ensure they are in best health for the upcoming dental procedure and run comprehensive bloodwork to ensure our vital organs are in top health for the anesthesia for the dental procedure.

What to Expect with your Pet’s COHAT Procedure

On the day of your pet’s Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT), they will have a visit for the day with the Veterinary Team. In the morning, the Veterinarian will perform a pre-op examination and formulate a sedation prior to the procedure. Our Veterinary Technologists will then perform the anesthesia, full mouth dental radiographs and probing of the teeth for the Veterinarian. A full scaling, polishing and any extractions are then performed. Your pet is then recovered under our Veterinary Technologist’s supervision. Once they are awake and recovered later that day, they go home for a night’s rest with you.

Dental Care at Home

The gold standard for your pets at home dental care is daily teeth brushing with a VOHC stamped approved toothpaste. VOHC stands for Veterinary Oral Health Council, and they have created a stamp to easily recognize products that are safe and effective in preventing the accumulation of plaque and/or tartar. There are complete and balanced diets with this as well that you may feed your pet as their regular diet as continuous dental care.

Water additives are always a great addition dental care tool. Most are colourless, odourless, tasteless and provide continuous dental care while your pets drink their everyday water.

If your pet does not handle teeth brushing very well, don’t fret! Our veterinary team have other options such as dental wipes and dental spray. Ask your veterinary care team for a tailored at home dental care routine.

For an estimate or to book your pets dental please give us a call today at 204-661-9090