February is pet dental awareness month nationally in the veterinary industry.  More than 80% of pets have dental disease.  Dental disease leads to bad breath, gingivitis, tooth loss, bone loss, infection and pain.  In addition, the bacteria from dental disease can spread to internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart and  lungs causing damage to them.

It is important to keep up on oral care for your pets.  If not, your pets mouth may look like the picture above.  The yellow brown material on the teeth is tartar-a cement like buildup of bacteria and plaque that can no longer be removed by an ordinary toothbrush.  The gums are bleeding, red, and swollen from bacterial infection.

Note: The clear tube you see in the dogs mouth is an endotracheal tube which prevents water and bacteria from getting into the lungs, and provides oxygen and anesthesia to the patient.  The black clip on the dog's tongue is an instrument used to measure the level of oxygen in the patients bloodstream as well as the patients heart rate.

Please call us with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your pets health.