Dental Care
But what does this mean?
Well, much the same for your pets as it does for us! Dental disease is caused by plaque, which is mostly bacteria, forming on the tooth surface and also below the gum line. The plaque calcifies (hardens) into tartar and results in gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). At this stage, the disease is completely reversible.
Left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, and at that stage, the damage is irreversible.
How would I know my pet needs a dental procedure?
Things you might see/smell/notice –
- Bad Breath
- Bleeding from the gums
- Redness of the gums
- Discolouration of teeth
- Difficulty eating or loss of appetite
- Pawing at the mouth
- Swelling under the eye
However, mostly it’s from your Vet’s recommendation, and after an examination; this is often during the annual general health check as part of the annual vaccination process.
Schedule an Appointment
Why a Dental
Why a Dental
Imagine your pet is in pain, but has no way of telling you? Dogs and cats only stop eating when there is an extreme issue; it’s a basic survival instinct!
Dental issues ARE painful, but often we don’t know about them! Periodontal (dental) disease also affects much more than the tooth. As the bacteria grow and enter the surrounding tissue, the infection results in discharge of toxins into the blood stream, affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver.
Approximately 70% of cats and 80% of dogs will have dental disease by the age of three, and some breeds are far more prone to dental disease and at even younger ages. Simply keeping your pets mouth healthy with a regular scale and polish, and a daily homecare program will ensure your pet can retain the best possible health. In the end, this is much more cost effective for you too.
So, the answer? Lighter, less invasive procedures, which may be required more often, are always, always a better option than a long drawn out, extensive procedure!
Cat specific
Cats can be a bit more troublesome when it comes to dental hygiene and care. Not many cats will let you clean their teeth!
Cats also have a condition where their body starts to reabsorb the tooth roots which causes irritation of the gum. This is very painful and they often stop or reduce their chewing resulting in weight loss.
In the same way, cats are often harder to examine, and we rely on sedation and x-rays to give us the full picture of what is happening in their mouth.
Estimates
Estimates
Here at Redgum, we believe in being up front. And here’s the confusion – we can’t give you a really tight estimate until we can have a really good look, and your pet won’t sit in the chair with their mouth open… And just like your human dentist, we need x-rays to see what’s going on under the gum line… So, this is our plan…
- Your pet has their anaesthetic
- The Vet does a comprehensive dental exam
- The nursing team do a series of x-rays
- And the Vet comes to a decision about the best treatment options for your pet,
- At that point, we will phone you with a revised and educated price option for you
What if it’s out of your budget?
Good question… and we have options! VetPay, Zippay, OpenPay – you can apply for these on your phone. Not happening? We have other options; we can develop a staged dental plan, designed for your pet, with your budget in mind. Our nurses can talk you through this.
Schedule an Appointment
What we know about the dental disease process
What we know about the dental disease process
If you generally only visit your Vet annually (for vaccinations), there can be a significant change in dental disease over that time. So, you might be given a diagnosis of a grade 1 this year, but next year, that will have progressed to a grade 2 or 3.
We know that Grade 1 & 2 dental procedures are completely reversible, and that Grade 3 & 4 procedures are much more complex surgical procedures and are therefore much more expensive. So, the answer? Lighter, less invasive procedures, which may be required more often, are always, always a better option than a long drawn out, extensive procedure!!
So, what happens in Redgum Dental?
So, what happens in Redgum Dental?
At Redgum, we are a dental focused clinic. Why? Because we absolutely know how important good dental health is to your pet, over all areas of their life.
When we asked our staff what they really dislike about dental surgery, they said it’s when the very old dog needs surgery (either dental or otherwise) and their organ system is SO compromised that they are a huge anaesthetic risk – this makes the entire surgery process really difficult. Imagine instead, that the older dog can be approached for surgery from a place of positivity!! That’s what we want!!
At Redgum, our staff WILL talk to you about pre-anaesthetic profiles, what they can tell us and why and when we would need that information about your pet. A dog will not lay still and open their mouth for a thorough examination – so we use x-rays to tell us what is going on in the mouth and under the gum line. Often for a grade 1, we do not need to do x-rays.
We will ALWAYS call you with an update after we take x-rays, in case there is different information we can give you, which might not have been obvious in the consult.
We like to keep Mums and Dads fully updated throughout the day, so you know what is happening with your pet. We also really value good education about what has happened during the day, so we will show you the x-rays, interpret them for you, give you a detailed chart of what happened, and then we will set up some dates for future aftercare – this is with our experienced dental nurses and at no cost to you.
The Facts
The Facts
- Grades 1 & 2 are less invasive, are quicker procedures and may need to be done every 12-24 months to maintain good dental hygiene
- Grade 1 does not require x-rays; grade 2 does, to determine the extent of damage under the gum line.
- Grade 3 is a surgical procedure and requires x-rays, tooth removal, stitches and significant post operative care.
- Grade 4 is a major surgical procedure, and as such is a major risk opportunity for the animal and Veterinary staff
- Grade 4 often involves up to 90% of a full mouth extraction
So, flip your dogs or cats lip and have a go at grading their teeth for yourself! If you feel that it is anything but a grade 0, your pet needs a dental check and health plan to prevent their teeth from getting worse.
Schedule an Appointment
Why We're Perfect
For You
Why We're Perfect
For You
30+ Years Experience
Experience matters. There’s no getting away from that! Dr. Patrick has dedicated the past 40 years of his Veterinary career on the care and support of animals
One Stop Shop
Redgum has created a one stop shop for all your animal needs! From total Veterinary care to boarding and including home visits, we take care of all your animal needs in one convenient location.
Outreach Support
Redgum Vet clinic undertakes regular support trips to local areas such as Wilmington and Quorn. Call the clinic to find out when the next trip is planned.
Cater For All Animals
At Redgum we are mainly a small animal Vet clinic. We do provide first aid to other animal species where needed. Occasionally we do provide home & Farm visits when available.
Redgum Vet & Pet Boarding
24 Woodcock Street, Port Augusta
(08) 8642 3308
Clinic
Monday to Friday: 8.30am - 5pm
Saturday 8.30am - 12 noon (by appointment only)
Sunday: Closed
Boarding Kennels
Monday to Friday: 9am - 4.30pm
Weekends & Public Holidays: 9am - 3pm
Kennels are closed daily from 12noon - 1pm
Boarding kennels phone (weekend & public holidays only 0437 917 323)
After Hours / Emergency
VetChat https://www.vetchat.com.au/ and click on CHAT NOW to speak immediately with a Vet
