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Periodontal disease is the most severe and important oral problem diagnosed in adult dogs and cats. Chronic periodontal disease not only affects the structure and function of the teeth, but it can seriously affect overall health. Bacteria associated with severe periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and serve as the source of infection for other organs, including the lungs, kidneys and heart.
Even though you can't see them, some of the most significant problems arise below the surface of the gums. Gingivitis, red inflamed gums, begins when plaque bacteria invade the gum line. If left untreated critical structures below the gum line become involved beginning the transition to periodontitis and when not addressed invariably leads to tooth loss, pain and secondary infections.
One of the most powerful weapons an owner has against this disease is awareness. Research shows that around the age of two, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some sign of dental disease. If your pet has oral health problems some common signs include: bad breath, yellow or brown tartar on teeth, painful mouth, difficulty eating, drooling, weight loss, pawing or rubbing the mouth, bleeding gums and loose teeth/tooth loss. The first step to keep your pet's teeth and gums clean and healthy is to ask your veterinarian about a dental exam. A dental cleaning may be recommended to remove tartar above and below the gum line, as well as a complete oral exam and dental x-rays. For at home care, there are dental products such as dental diets, oral rinses and dental treats to help keep teeth healthy between dentals. You can also start brushing your pet's teeth with special veterinary toothpaste; your veterinarian will advise you how to do this.
Even if your pet isn't showing signs of oral health problems, it's worth asking your veterinarian for a dental checkup and advice on how to clean your pet’s teeth to prevent problems in the future.
Countryside is excited and proud to announce the arrival of our new state of the art Idexx Vetlab in-hospital laboratory equipment. With this new system we have the capability of running blood tests on site with reference lab quality results in just minutes. The technology and accuracy is similar to the machines used at the reference laboratory, with results given in just a fraction of the time. The increase in efficiency allows us to continue to provide the highest quality patient care - oftentimes results will be available before the end of the appointment! Along with increased efficiency and more reliable results, we also have an expanded list of tests that we are able to run in hospital. Specific liver function tests, blood clotting times, adrenal tests and more specific urine testing is now available. We will also continue to utilize our outside laboratory for specific tests and certain patients. Please let us know if you have any questions about this or any of the services provided at Countryside. |
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