Dental

At Marina Hills Animal Hospital, we educate the pet owners we serve about the importance of regular pet dental care. According to the American Veterinary Dental Association, more than 50% of adult cats and dogs in America have some kind of tooth or gum disease. Left untreated, these diseases can cause a host of medical problems and shorten your pet's life span. Fortunately, regular pet dental care can eliminate these problems.
Good dental health is essential to your pet's overall health and well being. A major component of your pet's dental health should be regular professional dental cleanings to support a healthy mouth and gums.
In order to maintain your pet's dental health, we offer the following products:
  • Toothpaste and toothbrushes specifically designed for animals
  • Oral rinse
  • Water additive
  • Special food and treats that help prevent tartar build-up
If you have any questions about home dental care or would like recommendations about toys and treats for your pet, please let our staff know.

There are two types of Dental Services available:

Complete dental cleaning while under anesthesia
  • Digital x-rays to evaluate each tooth below the gum line
  • Ultrasonic cleaning (the same as when you go to the dentist)
  • Thorough polishing
  • Fluoride treatment
  • Sealant to prevent bacteria from attacking the gum line
  • Tooth extraction if necessary
  • IV catheter and fluids
  • Heart monitor
  • Respiratory monitor
  • Blood pressure monitor
  • Oxygen level monitor
  • Constant evaluation by a veterinary team member throughout the procedure


Non-Anesthetic Dental cleanings:
  • Performed on the pet while awake
  • Hand scaling of each tooth above the gumline only
  • Supervised by our Veterinarians
  • Not the best option for many pets as they may not have the correct temperament or have dental disease that is too advanced


The Importance of Pet Dental Care
Our veterinarians are strong proponents of preventative dental care for pets. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), pet dental disease can not only cause pain and difficulty while eating, but can also lead to organ damage if left untreated. The AVMA maintains that periodontal disease is the number one health complaint in cats and dogs. They warn that such gum disease in pets can lead to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and other life threatening disorders.