Cash's Dental Cleaning
Before
After
Cash's Dental Cleaning "From Start to Finish"
Proper dental care plays a critical role in a pet's overall health. A build-up of plaque contains thousands of bacteria that can enter the pet's bloodstream and lead to heart, kidney, and liver disease. Lets follow "Cash the Clinic Cat" as he has his annual dental treatment.
It is amazing how thickly tartar has collected in Cash's mouth, particularly on his back teeth. The rough-surfaced gray areas are extremely large deposits of calculus. If you were able to see the gums clearly under the build-up, you would discover that the bacteria this harbors is working to deteriorate the gums, tooth, and bone.
After the dental cleaning, Cash's teeth will "reappear"! The mouth’s bacteria levels are dramatically decreased lessening strain on the kidneys, liver, and heart. Eating will be more comfortable for him and anyone meeting him will enjoy significantly better breath.
Click on photos for an enlarged view.
Hey there! It's me, Cash the Clinic Cat! To better the lives and health of pets everywhere, I volunteered for yet another dental cleaning. It's been 12 months since my last one and P.U! Did I ever need it! First, the Doctors did an exam on me and made sure that I was healthy and fit for the procedure. In some cases, they will prescribe an antibiotic during this visit to set up the immune system for the influx of bacteria released in the cleaning.
They even drew a little blood to test it and find out how I am ticking internally.
It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be; in fact, I barely felt it and was ready for my close up even as they inserted the needle.
Right afterwards, I was picked up, cuddled, snuggled and loved just to remind me that it was all for my own good. Not that I was scared or needed to be snuggled, but I thought it would be best to show other pets that if they get scared during any of the procedure they will get all the love and comfort they need. I was totally cool though, I only insisted on the same treatment as a public service to the pet community.
On the day of my dental cleaning I got my first injection. It contained several drugs; torbugesic, ketamine and dormitor. This settled me right down! Within minutes I felt like I was floating away; getting sleepy and unconcerned. I lay down and spaced out for a while, and the staff knew that I was ready to get my IV, and to be put under anesthesia for my cleaning. Jenny put this special goopy ointment in my eyes to keep them from drying out (I was having trouble remembering to blink!) and lay me on a towel over a heating pad so I would feel nice and warm and cozy.
Then, they shaved my arm hair. I'll be honest, I don't like the noise that clipper makes, and if I weren't so relaxed at the time I would have had something to say about this! I know it will grow back soon, but I have an image to uphold!
It turned out that they did it so they could insert the catheter for my IV. Apparently my thick and luxurious coat would make it hard for them to find a vein, and they only want to prick me once. So I guess it was worth it. I am practicing laying with my right arm crossed over my left so you can't see my bald spot. It works ok.
After the catheter was in, they taped it down and flushed it with sterile saline to make certain that it was clear and ready to use.
After they were certain it was clear, they wrapped it in place and got the IV fluids ready. IV fluids are optional with surgical procedures, but are strongly recommended because they help so much in recovery and in keeping the patient stable. Jenny hooked up my IV fluids after putting a blanket over me to keep me cozy and warm.
In order to give me the anesthetic gas to knock me out, they have to do something called "intubating." They use a special tool to guide a tube down my throat to just above my lungs. This gets the gas where it needs to go. If I weren't so relaxed from my shot, I might have disagreed at this point even though it doesn't hurt at all. Once the tube is where it needs to be, they tie it in place to keep it there.
Now they hook up the gas and use something that looks like a syringe to make certain that my trachea is sealed around that tube. If it isn't, water and debris from the dental cleaning could get down into my lungs! Gross!
A special monitor was connected to me that tracks my heart rate as well as my oxygen absorption rate. They keep a close eye on this throughout the procedure to make certain I am doing well.
Throughout the cleaning, the Doctor kept checking my heart rate manually to be sure that all was well. I don't remember any of this, but they told me it was so.
They took a picture of my teeth before the started cleaning. Yikes! I had no idea they were that gross! It's hard to see back that far in my mouth, even with all the time I spend in front of a mirror.
They start by using an ultrasonic scaler just like the one your dentist might use on you! It combines ultrasonic vibrations with a spray of water to shake and scrape the tartar off my enamel. That black clip on my tongue is the thing that monitors my heart rate and oxygen levels.
Have you even had your teeth cleaned? In human dentistry, after the hygienist is done cleaning away the tartar, he or she uses a thing called a prophy polisher and shines your teeth up for you. The same thing is used here, right down to the bubble gum flavored polish.
The sealant the doctors here use is not the one they use at your dentist. It is a special product that is only for animals called "OraVet." The nurse puts it on with this special applicator and her fingers, making sure my teeth are dry first. This sealant will protect my teeth against new tartar build up and keep me healthier longer.
Here is a picture of Stephanie smoothing out the OraVet sealant on my teeth.
Almost done! The doctor uses a special graduated pick to measure any pockets that may be in my gums at the tooth line. At this time they have shut off the anesthetic and are giving me pure oxygen and a special injection to help me wake up. In no time, I will be upstairs tearing into a bag of food that isn't mine.
Look at those choppers! I can't believe how much better they look, can you?! I feel great, look awesome and have some of the sweetest breath ever! Now that you've seen what a difference a dental cleaning makes, and how well the patients are treated, I am sure you are wanting to schedule one for your pet as well! You can do so at 612-825-4427! See you soon!
What a difference! Cash’s teeth look great, his breath is fresh, and his gum line is much less inflamed. Just ask us if you would like to learn about all of the things you can do at home to slow the accumulation of plaque and tartar in your pets' mouth!