As Southern Crossing Animal Hospital begins to celebrate National Dental Month, we wanted to take this opportunity to answer commonly asked questions regarding the dentistry needs of your pets. We place a very high priority on oral health in our patients. Science has now confirmed that many diseases that impact the total health and well-being of your furry family member, begin the mouth. So, let’s get to the questions.

#1: Is it really important to have my pet’s teeth cleaned? They seem to be doing great and are eating well!

The short answer is “Yes, it is very important to care for the oral health of your pet”. Dogs and cats are rather stoic creatures. In the wild, they were predator and prey. If an animal shows pain or discomfort in the wild, they are preyed upon. Therefore, most dogs and cats are very reluctant to show mouth pain. Typically, by the time they do, they have been dealing with pain for a while. Second, science has proven that oral disease is directly linked to disease in other organs. Heart disease, infections, kidney disease, pyometra can result from chronic dental disease. Remember, the bacteria in the mouth that accumulates on your dog/cat’s teeth is what causes the plaque/tarter. Chronic bacterial build up in your pet’s mouth can spread to other parts of the body.

#2: I want to have a dental performed but I am nervous about the general anesthesia.

This is the most common concern regarding dental cleaning for your pets. General anesthesia is needed to do a very comprehensive, thorough cleaning and evaluation of your pet’s mouth. At Southern Crossing Animal Hospital, we include thorough cleaning with an ultrasonic scaler and dental x-rays of every tooth in the mouth. As much as we would prefer, dogs and cats will not allow these procedures while awake. However, to ensure their safety while asleep we do the following:

  • Pre-anesthetic blood work to confirm health/thorough physical exam
  • Intravenous catheters and intravenous fluids for blood pressure support and hydration while anesthetized
  • Pre-anesthetic pain medications and sedatives to allow us to use the lowest possible amount of general anesthesia
  • Equipment that monitors pulse oximetry, respirations, body temperature, heart rate while performing our procedures
  • Well trained Veterinary nurses that monitor vitals during the procedure
  • Post-operative monitoring of vitals, temperature and continued intravenous fluids to ensure a smooth recovery from anesthesia

Every precaution is taken to ensure your pet has the safest experience while under anesthesia and in recovery.

#3: Why are there differences in costs of dental cleanings?

Budgeting for this yearly expense is also discussed frequently at Southern Crossing Animal Hospital. We understand the cost of pet care has changed over the years. However, we see dental cleaning as a part of preventative care for your canine/feline friend. When dental cleanings are performed BEFORE there is an abscess or fractured tooth, the costs are much lower. So, let’s get back to the question…why the differences in costs. Not all dental cleanings are created equal. Southern Crossing offers the following:

  • Pre-anesthetic blood work to confirm health/ thorough physical exam
  • Intravenous catheters and intravenous fluids for blood pressure support and hydration while anesthetized
  • Pre-anesthetic pain medications and sedatives to allow us to use the lowest possible amount of general anesthesia

  • Equipment that monitors pulse oximetry, respirations, body temperature, heart rate while performing our procedures
  • Well trained Veterinary nurses that monitor vitals during the procedure
  • Thorough dental cleaning with ultrasonic scalers and hand tools
  • Dental x-rays of all teeth, not just diseased teeth
  • Periodontal probing and charting of each tooth
  • Treatment plan developed by the DVM if extractions or periodontal work is needed
  • Treatment plan executed (extractions, mass removals, periodontal procedures) by DVM
  • Post-extraction x-rays to confirm all roots are extracted
  • Polishing of teeth
  • Dental sealant applied to each tooth
  • Post-operative monitoring of vitals, temperature and continued intravenous fluids to ensure a smooth recovery from anesthesia

At Southern Crossing Animal Hospital, we believe this is the highest quality of care for your pet’s oral health. Because our dental cleaning includes each step in this process, our dental fees may be higher than other hospitals. When pricing dentistry, use this check list to ensure you are getting the highest quality of care for your pet.

#4: Is there a way to get a discount on my dentistry

Why, yes there is and we are glad you asked! At Southern Crossing Animal Hospital, we offer 2 ways to save money on your pet’s dental cleaning:

  • National Dental Month
    National Dental Month is every February. We offer a 10% discount on dental cleanings every February!
  • We also offer a year-round 10% discount on dental cleanings if you schedule your dental cleaning within a month after your annual preventative care/vaccination visit that includes recommended lab work. This is a savings of approximately $100.00!

I hope this article has been helpful as you consider dental cleaning for your pet. At Southern Crossing Animal Hospital, we value the health and well-being of each of our patients. Give us a call at 901-452-3171 or request an appointment on our website www.southerncrossingah.com or on our app and secure your pet’s dental cleaning appointment today!