February is dental month and we are excited to talk about it!

Dental health is vital to the overall health of our pets, and - just like people - without a watchful eye and preventative measures, dental disease can easily go unnoticed. 

By just 3 years of age, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats are already beginning to suffer from dental disease. This can vary in severity, ranging from mild gingivitis and plaque accumulation, to periodontal disease that affects the roots of the teeth and surrounding bone.

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A dental COHAT stands for Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment.

When you book your pet in for a ‘dental’ this is the service your pet is receiving.

A COHAT can only be done with a pet being under a general anesthetic. General anesthesia gives us access to the pet’s entire oral cavity (including teeth, throat, tongue, tonsils, and other surrounding structures) and enables us to collect vital information about their oral health. It also allows for a complete examination of all aspects of each tooth in your pet’s mouth, while ensuring it is a stress and pain free experience for your pet.

During a COHAT we will take dental radiographs (x-rays) which are essential in telling us what is going on below the gumline. X-rays allow us to visualize the root of the tooth and surrounding bone and can reveal abscessing, abnormal root growth, fractures, or changes to the bone. 

Once we obtain dental x-rays, a veterinarian does a thorough exam of each tooth in the mouth, checking for bone loss, increased gingival depth (pocketing), resorptive lesions, fractures, or any other abnormalities. 

After a thorough assessment of all the teeth and surrounding oral cavity, we should have a clear indication of what treatments may be needed for the pet. 

Treatments may include: 

• Dental prophylaxis (dental scaling and polish) 
• Dental prophylaxis with extraction of diseased teeth
• Management of any other disease processes noted

• Specialized dental procedures (typically referred out)

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Our veterinarians strive to have clear communications with pet owners and ensure the best treatment plan is chosen for each pet.

If you feel like your pet may benefit from a dental COHAT, please contact the clinic. We would be happy to book your pet in for an exam with one of our veterinarians to get started!

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