Dog dental surgery in Idaho Falls is recommended for a number of reasons. There may be a specific lesion in the mouth that is causing pain and predisposing your pet to infection, or there may be a general accumulation of tartar that may result in infection around the teeth.
Oral pain often goes unnoticed in pets; in fact, even when they are in considerable discomfort, most animals will continue to eat. It is common for owners not to notice a problem before a dental but afterwards to see a significant improvement in the appetite and demeanor of their pet.
Dental disease has been shown to allow bacteria in to the system and potentially to cause infections elsewhere in the body. Following are answers to the most commonly asked questions we get regarding dog dental surgery in Idaho Falls.
Is an anesthetic necessary?
A general anesthetic is required for a dental to be performed on dogs and cats and it is therefore important that the patient eat no food the night before the procedure. As with any anesthetic, we recommend that your pet has its evening meal by 8 p.m. on the evening before the procedure. You should not leave any food down overnight and water should not be withheld but rather should be left down overnight with access allowed until you leave home in the morning.
What happens during dog dental surgery in Idaho Falls?
Your pet will have a pre-medication injection, which is usually a combination of sedative and pain relief. The anesthetic drugs and sometimes fluids are inserted into a vein on a front leg so your pet will have a small shaved area there.
A tube is placed down the windpipe and tied into position. The back of the throat is then carefully packed to prevent fluid going down the throat or around the tube.
Initially, any large lumps of tartar are removed and then the teeth are ultrasonically scaled above and below the gum line.
The teeth are then probed and investigated to find any specific problem areas. Any teeth with problems that will not resolve after treatment will be extracted. Sometimes X-rays are used to assess teeth and the bone around them.
What happens after dog dental surgery in Idaho Falls?
Very occasionally animals will need to stay at the vet’s office overnight. This might occur in a very old or frail animal, or if many teeth have been extracted. Some animals will need pain relief or antibiotics to go home with.
Some patients can have an upset tummy after an anesthetic, so we recommend a small bland meal on the first evening – boiled white fish or chicken (with rice for dogs) is a good choice. After this, it will depend on how many teeth are extracted as to when you put your pet back on its normal diet. In general, dry food is much better for teeth than tinned food. Some animals will take a few days to fully recover from an anesthetic.
You will be asked to make an appointment for about one week after the procedure for your pet to be examined. Should you have any concerns prior to that time, please contact our office as soon as possible.
If you would like to schedule dog dental surgery in Idaho Falls – don’t hesitate – call our office today to schedule an appointment!
