Pet Owner’s Guide on Dental Emergencies
When pet owners think of a vet emergency, trouble breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, a nasty fall, or being struck by a car come to mind; dental emergencies in cats and dogs, on the other hand, are among the most neglected causes of emergency. The teeth of our furry friends can break, become infected, and shatter their jaws. Knowing what defines an emergency and recognizing what we can do and what support you can offer your pet is helpful.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency includes the mouth, head, or neck areas that require punctual treatment to halt bleeding, ease severe discomfort, or save a tooth. This also applies to possibly deadly health problems. Visit this “24 hour vet near me” page if you need an immediate response to an emergency.
These are samples of situations requiring immediate medical attention from an emergency pet hospital:
- Severe or traumatic head trauma injuries, including lip and tongue lacerations and oral hemorrhage.
- Avulsions and luxations of the teeth (true dental emergencies; place the avulsed tooth in milk until recommendation to the veterinary dentist or oral surgeon).
- Inflammation/infection causes swelling around the nose, mouth, jaws, face, and neck.
- Severe palate defects, jaw fractures, and temporomandibular joint luxations.
- Severe difficulty opening or closing the mouth.
How to Avoid Common Dental Emergencies
- Keep your dog on a softer chew toy to help protect against tooth fractures. Keep your kitty cat inside to keep them safe from biting and chewing hazards.
- Always put them on a leash and monitor their interactions with other pets and animals.
- Following any tooth or jaw injury, a visit to the vet might help you avoid most infections and save you cash in the long run.
- Having your pet’s teeth inspected and cleaned regularly at an animal medical veterinary clinic is another strategy to help avert a dental emergency.
When should you schedule professional cleaning?
Veterinary dental services like a yearly checkup on your pet are essential to document abnormal conditions such as periodontal disease, cracked or decayed teeth, tumors, ulcers, and so on. Professional dental cleanings require anesthesia for your pet to ensure that the competent and qualified operator can remove dirt from underneath the gum line (subgingivally).
Is anesthesia necessary in dental cleaning?
Pet owners are not surprisingly apprehensive when their dogs require anesthesia. The dentist must place the pet under general anesthesia for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation, dental radiography, scaling and polishing, gingival curettage, and root planing. An endotracheal tube supplies anesthetic gas and oxygen, providing pain-free treatments while protecting the airways from aspirating liquids or debris. Anesthesia-free dentistry is not recommended for various reasons, including significant patient and operator safety issues.
What to Expect in an Emergency Room
A veterinarian will evaluate the seriousness of your pet’s issue to establish the order in which patients should go first. The most life-threatening concerns are addressed first, followed by less severe cases. Before meeting the vet, a nurse might take your dog or cat’s history and inspect vital signs.
The emergency room’s primary concern is to stabilize your pet, so your pet may require to be admitted to the emergency pet clinic or transferred to your regular vet. Your pet may be referred to a vet professional for a more extensive examination or operation. Inquire about any home care or rechecks if your pet can return home.