“GIVE YOUR PET SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT” 

February is National Pet Dental Month 

Schedule your pet for a professional dental cleaning from

January 15th – March 15th & receive a 15% discount!

Oral care is as important for your pet as it is for you. Without proper dental care nearly 80% of dogs & 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three. Nearly 85% of all adult pets currently suffer from Periodontal Disease (Periodontal disease: inflammation of the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth caused by the build-up of plaque and tarter, left untreated resulting in tissue and bone loss).

Periodontal Disease leads to bad breath, pain, infection, tooth decay, eventual loss of teeth, kidney and liver disease, and as a result decreases your pets overall life expectancy. Some warning signs of periodontal disease may include but are not limited to; bad breath, red or swollen gums, a yellow or brown crust around the gum-line, pain or bleeding when the gums are touched, difficulty chewing, changes in eating habits, and possibly even depression. It is incredibly important to remember that  Periodontal Disease is the most common disease in both dogs and cats and is even more prevalent in small breed dogs and pure breed cats.

Fortunately, however, periodontal disease is preventable! Oral exams should be requested and performed by your Alpine View veterinarian at the time of your pet’s annual health exam. These oral exams enable us to monitor the overall health of your pet’s teeth and gums, and to determine whether a dental cleaning is recommended or required for your pet. Routine at home dental care is also important. Trying things such as brushing your pet’s teeth, introducing an easy to use oral hygiene rinse, offering tasty oral health care chews (Alpine View likes the CET dental chews), and also just by feeding a nutritious diet. Lastly, remembering the importance of following through and scheduling your pet’s oral health exams with your preffered Alpine View Veterinarian (here in Snohomish/Monroe) annually. By creating an at home dental program you will decrease the buildup of plaque and tarter, therefore, improving the health and hygiene of your pets teeth and gums, thus improving your pets overall health.

QUICK DENTAL FACTS TO REMEMBER

-Both dogs and cats are at risk for developing dental problems.

-Without proper dental care, 85% of dogs & 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three.

-Untreated periodontal (gum) disease can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, and kidney, liver, and heart disease.

-As part of their annual exam, all dogs and cats should have a dental exam to determine if a dental cleaning is required

-Dentals should be followed up with regular home dental care, including brushing teeth, feeding a nutritious diet, and regular follow-up exams by one of our vets.

-Warning signs of periodontal disease may include: bad breath, red or swollen gums, a yellow or brown crust around the gum-line, pain or bleeding when the gums are touched, difficulty chewing, changes in eating habits, and possibly even depression.

-Periodontal disease is more common in smaller dogs and pure breed cats.

-Periodontal disease becomes more common as pets age.

-Plaque is a colorless film that contains large amounts of bacteria. If left unchecked plaque mineralizes into tarter resulting in tissue & bone loss that supports the teeth.

Please feel free to call Alpine View with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your pets oral health and remember if you schedule your pets professional dental cleaning during the month of February or March you’ll receive a 15% discount off of the dental cleaning (discount applied only to the professional dental cleaning and the dental anesthesia).

Together we can help you, help your pet live a longer, happier, and healthier life!

Call us at 360-794-6662 to schedule your pets dental cleaning today!