Pet Dental Care at our Vancouver Animal Hospital in Killarney

Your pet’s dental care doesn’t stop with a dental exam. At home aftercare is a vital part of your pet’s dental health. Toothpaste, gels, and rinses formulated for use in pets are readily available from pet stores or from our vet clinic.

Killarney Animal Hospital veterinarians recommend choosing one that contains chlorhexidine, as this antibacterial compound can remain effective for up to 12 hours after application. Human toothpaste should not be used, as it can cause stomach upset if swallowed by your pet. Also, the much-advocated home formula mixing baking soda and salt in water can be effective as a toothpaste alternative, yet, because of the high sodium content of this mixture, it should not be used in older pets or in those pets suffering from heart ailments. A regular, soft-bristled, human toothbrush can be used to apply the dental product. For cats and smaller dogs, a child’s toothbrush can be a substitute. However, for best result, purchase a special “finger” brush that fits on the end of your finger. These can be purchased at any pet supply store in Vancouver. Apply the paste, gel, or solution to the brush, and proceed to brush as you would your own teeth, concentrating on the gumline as well as the outsides of the large premolars and canine teeth. No rinsing is necessary. 

What about flossing? Yes, you can floss your dog’s teeth, but not in the conventional way. Flossing devices in the form of chew toys have been developed to assist in dental hygiene. Don’t laugh; such devices can have a significant impact on dental health, assuming, of course, that your pet will play with them.
Rawhides, nylon chew bones, and urethane chewing devices can also prove helpful in mechanically removing plaque from canine dental surfaces. Contrary to popular belief, feeding hard chew biscuits does little by itself to prevent periodontal disease; in fact, the starchy nature of such food items can promote plaque formation. The same holds true for most hard dry foods, although most contain substantially less plaque-promoting sugar than do their moist counterparts. Special diets do exist that contain ingredients to help control tartar buildup in dogs and cats. Ask our veterinarian at Killarney Animal Hospital if such a diet would be right for your pet.

Check our Vancouver Animal Hospital web site to see if there are Vancouver Dog Dental Care or Vancouver Cat Dental Care programs currently offered.  During these special programs Killarney Animal Hospital usually gives great discounts on dog dental care and cat dental care products and services.

Remember: Periodontal disease in dogs and cats is one of the most common diseases affecting pets today. In fact, most dogs and cats show some signs of periodontal disease by 3 years of age. Regular pet dental exam and proper dog dental care or cat dental care are usually sufficient preventive steps pet owners can take to avoid periodontal disease development in dogs and cats.  Contact our Vancouver vets as soon as you notice any signs of periodontal disease that may include tender, swollen gums, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, and bad breath.