🔵 Health Commitment: February, National Pet Dental Month
Because your companion’s overall health is important to us, we are offering preferred pricing on dental care throughout the month of February.
It is the perfect opportunity to perform a professional dental prophylaxis (complete cleaning, polishing, and X-rays) recommended annually to ensure your pet’s comfort and quality of life.
* Note: A complete treatment plan and precise costs can only be determined after an evaluation of oral X-rays performed under anesthesia.
Pet Dental Health: Essential Care for Dogs & Cats at Vet & Cie
Your companion’s health starts with their smile. At Vet & Cie, we know that veterinary dentistry is about much more than aesthetics: it is an essential component of your pet’s overall health. Following AAHA standards of excellence, our dedicated team of professionals uses cutting-edge technology and human expertise to prevent pain and systemic diseases. To simplify your experience, we provide instant online appointment booking tools. Your trust is our priority.
Health starts with a healthy smile !
Did you know that 80% of pets show signs of periodontal disease by age 3?
Bad breath isn’t “normal”; it’s often a sign of plaque and bacteria buildup.
Beyond Tartar: Preventing Pain and Dental Pathologies.
The dental health of your dog or cat is about more than just bad breath. Periodontal disease (which begins with gingivitis), if left untreated, can lead to the irreversible loss of tissues that support the teeth, including the alveolar bone, and lead to various complications, such as jaw fractures. It also maintains a state of chronic inflammation that can hinder healing, immune response, and impact certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes.
At Vet & Cie, we are committed to following AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) guidelines to guarantee the best possible dental care for your pet.
| Stage of Disease | Description (Attachment Loss) | Recommended Treatment Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 (PD1) | Gingivitis: Inflammation confined to the gingiva (gums), without loss of support structure. This stage is reversible. | Professional scaling, polishing, irrigation, and implementation of home care. |
| Stage 2 (PD2) | Early Periodontal Disease: Less than 25% attachment loss. | Stage 1 care plus subgingival scaling and local antimicrobial application if pockets are present. |
| Stage 3 (PD3) | Established Periodontal Disease: 25% to 50% attachment loss. | Advanced periodontal therapy or surgery. Extraction is indicated if daily home care cannot be guaranteed. |
| Stage 4 (PD4) | Advanced Periodontal Disease: Over 50% attachment loss. This is the terminal stage. | Dental extraction or invasive periodontal surgery with debridement. Rigorous follow-up of home hygiene required for remaining teeth. |
💡 Did you know ?
Fractured teeth affect up to 49.6% of pets,
while tooth resorption affects between 27% and 72% of domestic cats.
These conditions have one thing in common: they often hide severe pain behind a normal appearance
Detecting the Invisible: Fractures and Resorption
Unlike visible periodontal disease (tartar), tooth resorption and tooth fractures often act silently in both cats and dogs.
While some lesions can be seen with the naked eye, they are then often already at an advanced stage. Digital radiography is the only tool allowing for early detection, before the tooth structure collapses and causes acute suffering to your companion.
* Early intervention allows for pain management before the condition degenerates and affects overall quality of life.
Why is Dentistry Vital for Your Pet ?
Oral health is not limited to aesthetics; it is a fundamental pillar of your companion’s overall well-being. Here is why professional intervention is crucial :
Prevention of Systemic Disease
The mouth is a gateway for infections. Systemic spread of periodontal bacteria, inflammatory mediators, and toxins can affect the vascular system throughout the body. These elements can even cause irreversible changes in distant organs such as the heart or kidneys.
Managing Invisible Pain
It is important to know that oral pathology is a source of chronic pain for the animal. Unfortunately, our companions do not always show their suffering in obvious ways. Without professional dental X-rays, it is impossible to detect painful pathological conditions hidden under the gumline.
Comfort and Quality of Life Daily
Proper dental treatment directly improves your animal’s quality of life. Care allows for:
- Restoring comfort during chewing by treating fractured or loose teeth.
- Eliminating halitosis (bad breath) caused by infection.
- Treating dysphagia (difficulty eating) related to oral diseases.
- Reducing clinical signs such as ptyalism (excessive drooling) or discolored saliva.
Oral Health: Much more than just a cleaning, a guarantee of comfort.
We follow AAHA guidelines to guarantee the safety and effectiveness of your companion’s dental care.
The Dental Procedure Guide: Safety First
It is normal to have concerns regarding anesthesia. At Vet & Cie, we follow a rigorous protocol to transform a source of anxiety into beneficial care for your companion’s health.
Your Pet’s Journey
▶ Step 1: Pre-anesthetic Evaluation
Before any intervention, we perform a complete evaluation of your animal’s systemic health. For anxious or difficult patients, we use appropriate anxiolytics or sedatives to facilitate a stress-free and safe initial examination. A complete exam and relevant complementary tests will be done for your pet to make anesthesia as safe as possible.
▶ Step 2: Safe General Anesthesia
A personalized anesthetic plan is put in place to maximize your pet’s comfort and safety during the procedure. Their vital signs are closely monitored, and anesthetic drugs are adjusted according to their needs.
▶ Step 3: Complete Dental Exam and Intraoral Dental X-rays
This is a crucial step for detecting hidden diseases under the gum line. X-rays identify periapical infections, resorbed teeth, or fractures invisible to the naked eye. The dental exam under anesthesia allows us to evaluate each tooth from all angles and detect crown fractures, periodontal pockets, gingival recession, malocclusions, tooth mobility, tooth discoloration, and more. By combining these two tools, the vast majority of lesions can be identified.
▶ Step 4: Scaling, Polishing, and Treatments
Our team performs a rigorous professional cleaning including:
- Specialized Scaling: Removal of plaque and tartar with precision ultrasonic instruments.
- Polishing: Smoothing of the enamel to limit rapid re-accumulation of plaque.
- Targeted Care: Periodontal therapy or surgical extraction if advanced disease is detected.
▶ Step 5: Waking Up and Personalized Follow-up
We prioritize a gentle awakening under constant supervision. Upon departure, we will provide you with a complete plan:
- Summary Report: Explanation of the procedures performed with supporting imagery.
- Medication: Precise instructions for pain management at home.
- Prevention: Adapted hygiene plan to prolong the benefits of the cleaning.
Did you know ? A definitive and precise treatment plan (including costs) can only be established once the animal is under anesthesia and X-rays have been performed.
Give Your Companion a Sparkling Smile!
Take advantage of a Free Dental Evaluation to identify early signs of periodontal disease.
Early identification of gingivitis allows for intervention before irreversible periodontitis develops.
At-Home Dental Hygiene 🏡: Your Key Role
Periodontal disease is preventable in most patients through consistent efforts at home. For maximum effectiveness, we recommend combining the following modes of action:
1. Mechanical Action (Abrasion)
This method involves physically removing plaque before it turns into tartar.
- Daily Brushing: This is the gold standard for preventing plaque buildup.
- Dental Diets: Specific kibbles designed to scrub the tooth surface during chewing.
- Toys and Chews: Proper selection helps prevent fractured teeth while cleaning the teeth.
2. Non-Mechanical Action (Chemical)
These products work by modifying the oral environment to limit bacterial proliferation.
- Water Additives: Solutions (such as Vetradent) that help chemically control plaque.
- Local Antimicrobials: Used to encourage a return to normal periodontal health.
3. Combined Action
Using products that offer both mechanical abrasion and a chemical agent is often the most effective strategy for maintaining a healthy mouth.
💡 Vet & Cie Tip : Always look for the VOHC seal on products. This seal guarantees that the product has met rigorous standards for reducing plaque and tartar buildup.
📅 Key Points to Remember !
- Socialization: Gently handle your puppy or kitten’s mouth now to encourage easy acceptance of future care.
- Starting with Baby Teeth: A complete evaluation of the mouth is recommended to screen for malocclusion. Early management increases treatment success and limits costs associated with potential complications.
- Starting at 6 Months: An exam is recommended to evaluate permanent dentition and detect persistent baby teeth.
- Small Breeds: If your animal weighs less than 11 kg at maturity, be aware they will need more frequent preventive care than large dogs.
📝 Checklist: Is Your Pet Suffering from Dental Pain ?
Animals often mask their pain by instinct. Watch for these revealing signs :
🚩 Visual Signs
🚩 Behavior
⚠️ Attention: Without intra-oral X-rays, the full extent of disease can easily be underestimated. A complete and exhaustive examination can only be performed under anesthesia.
Taking Charge of Their Oral Health
Did you know that a dental exam is recommended starting at 6 months of age? Our experts are here to advise you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Professional Dental Cleaning
▶ Does my dog need to fast before a dental cleaning?
Yes, a 12-hour fast is required for their safety.
For anesthetic safety. Cleaning and dental X-rays require general anesthesia to allow for deep cleaning under the gum line without stress or pain. Fasting from the night before prevents regurgitation risks during the procedure. Under anesthesia, normal reflexes that protect the airways, such as coughing and swallowing, are absent. If the stomach contains food or liquids, there is a risk they may come up and be inhaled into the lungs, leading to serious complications. Fasting significantly reduces regurgitation and aspiration risks while facilitating anesthetic control and ventilation. Although intubation is performed to protect the airways, this protection is not absolute, and adherence to fasting remains indispensable.
▶ How much does a dental procedure cost at Vet & Cie?
At Vet & Cie, we prioritize transparency based on medical reality. It is impossible to set a definitive price in advance for two major reasons:
- The Invisible Part: Nearly 60% of the dental structure is under the gum line. Only digital X-rays performed under anesthesia reveal the true extent of lesions.
- Surgical Variability: The cost of an extraction or periodontal care is closely linked to actual execution time. Every tooth reacts differently: some extractions are faster than expected, while others, more complex, require increased technical precision and more time.
Our approach: During the initial consultation, we perform a visual exam and provide a detailed treatment plan. Once the animal is under anesthesia and X-rays are completed, we confirm the actual needs. The final amount will reflect the work precisely performed to ensure your companion’s comfort.
▶ What are the risks of anesthesia for an older pet?
While any medical act involves some risk, age is not a disease, but it demands absolute rigor.
At Vet & Cie, we apply the strictest safety protocols based on international best practices (AAHA). Unlike standard approaches, we leave nothing to chance:
- Complete Screening: Systematic pre-anesthetic blood work to validate organ function (kidneys, liver).
- Expert Monitoring: Constant vital sign monitoring by a dedicated technician from start to finish.
- Fluid Therapy: Maintaining blood pressure and hydration via IV.
This highly secure approach requires resources and expertise that few establishments deploy with such meticulousness for every patient.
▶ How can I prevent tartar buildup at home?
Prevention is a team effort between you and us. Daily brushing remains the gold standard, but we know it isn’t always possible. That is why we recommend a combined strategy:
- Mechanical Action: Specialized dental diets and certified treats that “brush” the tooth during chewing.
- Chemical Action: Water additives and gels that limit bacterial proliferation.
- VOHC Seal: We will help you choose products certified by the Veterinary Oral Health Council for proven effectiveness.
🛒 Maintaining Oral Health Between Visits
Daily brushing and using VOHC-certified products are your best allies. Discover our rigorous selection of dental diets, water additives, and enzymatic treats in our shop.
▶ Will my pet still be able to eat if they lose several teeth?
Absolutely, and they will eat much better than before!
It is much more comfortable for an animal to eat without teeth than to attempt to chew with an infected and painful mouth. Periodontal disease is a source of chronic, often invisible pain.
Once the source of pain is removed: healed gums become very hard and functional. The vast majority of our patients regain a robust appetite and can even continue eating dry food without difficulty.