Dental Care
During wellness visits, Dr. Krueger and the team will meet with you and your pet using a whole-pet approach. Our focus is not just on any concerns that you may have with your pet or targeting specific areas; we will evaluate your pet physically, behaviorally, and their environment and lifestyle.
Part of this “whole picture” is your pet’s dental health. According to the American Veterinary Dental College, by age 3, more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease. Dental disease is more than just bad breath. Severe dental disease can be linked to kidney and heart problems, and can significantly affect your pet’s lifelong wellness.
Healthy Dental Habits Start at Home
At Hosanna, we believe prevention is key. By giving your dog or cat a balanced diet, safe dental chews, and building a routine of tooth brushing, you can significantly reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar, the leading causes of dental disease.
But good dental care doesn’t stop at home…
Identifying Dental Disease
During our visit, as part of our whole-pet exam, we will discuss your pet’s current dental health. Our team uses a chart like the one below to determine where your pet’s dental health currently stands.
Once we determine your pet’s dental health status, we can provide a treatment plan with options that you and your family can choose from to fit your pet’s needs and comfort level.
Dental Exams & Cleanings
Regular dental exams and cleanings are essential to protecting your pet’s health, whether as a preventative step or part of a treatment plan. We recommend yearly cleanings to help keep mouths healthy and prevent future problems.
Before Your Pet’s Dental
Your pet’s comfort and safety come first. Having our pets anesthetized for a procedure like a dental cleaning can be difficult for many pet caregivers. Our Fear Free™ trained team will be there every step of the way to comfort pets and their family to ensure everyone is comforted and calm before the procedure.
Because pets must be anesthetized for a proper cleaning, we take every precaution before the procedure. This includes pre-anesthetic bloodwork to make sure your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia. Once we have clear results, we’ll move forward with care.
During Your Pet’s Dental
Our Fear Free™ trained team monitors your pet from the very start of anesthesia to full recovery. During this time, they continuously track heart rate, oxygen, blood pressure, and temperature. If needed, we may perform dental X-rays to check below the gumline or extract teeth that cannot be saved to protect your pet’s long-term comfort. For cleanings, we use a gentle ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque and tartar effectively and safely.
After Your Pet’s Dental
Following the procedure, we stay by your pet’s side until they are fully awake and comfortable. Once your pet is awake and alert, we’ll review our findings with you, share before-and-after images, and go over follow-up care, including personalized tips to continue their dental routine at home.