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IT'S DENTAL MONTH AT HEART ARROW!
SWEETHEART SPECIAL....
10% OFF ALL DENTALS IN FEBRUARY!!
STINKY BREATH & ORAL HYGIENE...
Have you smelled your pet's breath today? If it smells bad all the time, there may be a problem. Don't worry, you're not alone. Aside from obesity, pet oral disease is one of the most common problems all of our pets may have. Up to 85% of all pets can have some degree of dental disease evident.
Tartar on the teeth can cause more than just bad breath. Tartar is composed of millions of bacteria encased in the crust. When the gums get red above the tartar, that increases the amount of blood in the area. Bacteria could slip into the bloodstream and cause problems in the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and brain!
The treatment for oral disease is a dental cleaning and polish. During this procedure, the tartar is removed from the teeth. The teeth are inspected for mobility, fractures, and deep pockets. Extraction is necessary if there are loose or severely infected teeth. The mouth is also checked for gum disease, tumors, ulcers, and other problems.
Anesthesia is necessary to perform the dental cleaning and polish, as well as any related dental treatments. We work hard to minimize the risk associated with anesthesia. Gas anesthesia is used to maintain the depth of anesthesia with every breath. Patient moitoring is facilitated by the use of a Pulse Oximeter and EKG. We also routinely assess physical parameters while the patient is anesthetized.
After the dental cleaning and polish, we can also apply a sealant to the teeth to help reduce the adherence of plaque and tartar after the dental. The sealant is followed by once weekly application of a tartar prevention gel at home. The 'gold standard' for pet oral car is daily tooth brushing by the owners, however, realistically, 2-3 times a week would be excellent.
In our experience we have seen pets who have been totally changed by having healthy mouths. Owners have told us their dog is much more active or their cat is eating better. We have also seen heart murmurs and blood values improve after a dental cleaning.
If you think your pet has bad breath, or you've heard us mention that your pet has tartar and could benefit from a dental cleaning and polish, give us a call anytime about having your pet's teeth cleaned! Our special is on the entire month of February and we usually run another special in August both offering 10% off our normal cost!
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A MESSAGE FROM THE HEART....
Along with the month of February comes Valentine's Day and thinking about matters related to your pet's heart. Heart disease is a common occurrence in older pets. Heart disease occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Blood pressure increase in areas such as the heart itself, lungs, liver and kidneys. This can cause fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and cause congestion of the lungs and fluid in the abdomen and other tissues.
Signs of heart problems include lethargy, not eating, a moist cough,
reduced exercise tolerance, and fainting. If these signs are occurring,
a visit to your veterinarian is in order. The veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam and may listen carefully to the heart to check for the presence of a heart murmur. A heart murmur is often the first detectable sign of heart disease. Your pet may also have X-rays taken of the chest and abdomen and have bloodwork performed.
There is no cure for heart failure but there are medications and recommendations that can prolong the life of the heart and make your pet feel better. Yearly examinations will help identify possible problems with the heart and also make sure your pet is healthy in other areas. Other health issues that have an impact on the heart are pet obesity and dental health...everything goes hand in hand.
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All the Heart Arrow Doctors & Staff wish our clients and pets a Happy Valentine's Day! Remember, no chocolate for your best friend... just lots and lots of love!!
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Always in our hearts, Powder ~~~~
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