Pet Dental Care in Chicago, IL

Full-Service Pet Dental Care

Keeping your pet’s teeth in good condition is important to their overall health. Because dogs and cats use their mouths for eating, playing, exploring, and getting your attention, many will have some type of dental problem even early in life.

Untreated dental problems can lead to kidney, heart, and liver disease. By the time you notice your pet has bad breath, yellow teeth, inflamed gums, or trouble eating, a teeth cleaning is overdue.

Outside Laboratory Testing

We use a reputable outside laboratory for standard blood and urine testing results. Our laboratory typically provides results within 24 hours, depending on the type of testing performed. We also use our outside laboratory for more in-depth testing, such as skin scraping results, cultures, biopsies, and other cytological results.

Routine Checkup

When you bring your pet in for an annual wellness check at Mid North Animal Hospital, we will always check their teeth as part of the routine wellness exam. If we see a cause for concern or notice their teeth need cleaning, we will recommend a full dental exam and cleaning under anesthesia. The procedure is similar to your trip to the dentist but requires anesthesia to ensure a complete professional assessment. A special appointment will need to be made for all dental procedures.

Anesthesia

All dental work is done under general anesthesia. Ensuring the safety and well-being of your pet during dental procedures is our utmost concern. While it’s understandable that your pet may not enjoy these treatments, anesthesia is vital for their comfort and the efficiency of our veterinary team. It’s important to withhold food after midnight before the appointment, but water can be given until the morning to maintain hydration.

We will perform pre-surgery blood work to make sure your pet is healthy enough to be anesthetized. As the anesthetic is administered, a member of our staff constantly supervises your pet to ensure he or she is comfortably sedated. When the procedure is complete, monitoring continues until your pet has fully recovered.

Sending Your Pet Home

Your pet will be able to go home with you in the evening after their dental procedure. We provide pain relief and antibiotics to give your pet at home as determined by your veterinarian. Your pet may not feel like eating or playing as much after their procedure, but if this lasts more than 24 hours, please let us know. We will call to check on your pet to ensure they are doing well. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions or concerns.

Cleaning and X-rays

By brushing your pet’s teeth regularly at home to remove tartar and buildup, you are helping to keep their oral health in good condition! Complete professional dental care at the intervals recommended for your pet by his or her veterinarian will help to ensure strong and healthy teeth.

Dental care for your pet is not difficult, but it is very important. Do not rely on chew toys or bones to do the work; get a good toothbrush and start brushing your pet’s teeth while young, and it will become a normal routine for you both.

The Importance of Dental Care for Your Pet

Did you know dental care is crucial to your pet’s overall health? Recent studies have revealed alarming statistics: 70% of adult cats and 80% of adult dogs exhibit symptoms of oral disease. Unfortunately, many pet parents aren’t aware that their furry companions are suffering from dental issues.

Recognizing the signs of dental problems is critical. Watch out for bad breath, plaque build-up, loose or broken teeth, excessive drooling, sore or bleeding gums while eating or chewing, and a decreased appetite. These are indicators that your pet may require veterinary attention.

Just like humans, regular dental check-ups are essential for dogs and cats. Neglecting oral health can lead to serious consequences. Dental disease affects the mouth and can also impact your pet’s overall well-being.

We take pride in our advanced equipment for treating dental issues, including digital dental X-rays. This technology enables us to detect hidden problems beneath the gum line that might go unnoticed. With dental radiographs, we can identify undetected abscesses, broken teeth, resorbed roots, retained roots, and more, ensuring comprehensive care for your pet’s dental health.

Make an appointment to have your pet’s teeth professionally cleaned today. Good oral hygiene will save your pet’s teeth and, in turn, improve his or her overall health.