For dogs, cats, tortoises, lizards, and other exotic pets, dental care is equally as crucial just as for cats. As part of an annual health exam, exotic pets must have their mouths checked for a safety measure to ensure everything is in good order. Certain animals, like ferrets, bearded dragons, and hedgehogs, may need dental cleanings for cats and dogs.
Animal teeth continue to grow throughout their lives. If not taken care of, this growth may result in sharp spurs irritating the tongues and gums.
Pet owners generally don’t clean their pet’s teeth, which could cause tartar buildup and bad breath. A buildup of tartar that is excessive over months or years causes periodontal diseases, gingivitis, and tooth root infections. Bacteria buildup and then move through the bloodstream, causing them to colonize vital organs like kidneys and the heart, which can lead to potentially fatal issues.
Veterinary Dentistry for Exotic Pets
Through preventative dental care, most exotic pets like ferrets and rabbits, reptiles, and rats, should undergo a thorough dental examination each year as part of the routine physical examination. Certain animals, such as ferrets and bearded dragon lizards, need regular dental cleanings to eliminate the tartar and plaque buildup and thoroughly examine teeth for any distinctive signs of illness, wear, fractures, or looseness.
Scale and Polish
Every tooth is subjected to ultrasonic scaling to eliminate tartar. It is then followed by polishing. This procedure is often performed to stop the spread of tooth diseases. A yearly scale and polish benefits dragons and ferrets particularly bearded dragons. Click here to get more details.
Dental Float
The procedure is usually used on rabbits and guinea pigs after the cheek teeth have developed sharp spikes or spurs or when teeth are too long and growing incorrectly. Typically, they must be fixed with an anesthetic using the dental bur specially designed for this purpose.
Correction or Removal of Incisor Teeth
Most of the time, issues in the teeth of the mouth or the teeth of the rabbit that are not appropriately aligned from birth cause malocclusion of the front incisor teeth. This alters the way the teeth confront one another. Correcting the problem may suffice when the primary cheek tooth problem and the incisor’s morphology and curve have significantly changed.
Due to their rapid growth, it is common for them to be trimmed after the incisors stop supporting the animal’s back and meet. If this happens, getting rid of the incisors is generally recommended since it will provide a more long-term fix. Consult a veterinarian to know more about cat oral health.
Removal of Tooth Root Abscesses
On either the upper or the lower jaw, tooth root abscesses are usually identified as solid lumps. The tooth and the bone abscess must typically be removed as part of the treatment.
It’s usually necessary to operate, leaving a drainage hole to allow for the flushing of the abscess, dependent on the tooth affected. After the procedure, injectable antibiotics, as well as frequent visits, are typically required.
It’s vital to consider that the treatment could need to be ongoing and lasting, dependent on how severe the dental problems of your exotic pet are. For certain people, this may mean regular dental adjustments. Radiographs or a CT scan could often forecast this, but occasionally the only way to know is through time. Look up “Pet vaccination in North Boulder” for the best results.
