Call Us (207) 389-4395
Location 13 Hunnewell Lane, Woolwich, ME 04579
Weekdays, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Woodbrook Animal Clinic

Dental Care

Routine dental exams and professional cleaning

Pets develop tartar and dental disease just like people. Bad breath is often the first thing owners notice. Dental disease can cause serious illness in your pet if it goes untreated.The bacteria from dental disease can damage the heart, liver, and kidneys. Every 30 minutes the blood circulates through the body caring harmful bacteria from the gum tissue around the tooth through the areas where blood travels: heart, liver, and kidneys. Dental exams can also pick up broken teeth, retained baby teeth, sores in the mouth, and abnormal growths that may be cancerous. Home care can consist of special toothpaste and brush to clean the teeth, dental chews, specially designed foods, and food and water additives.

Dental care at home for your dogs & cats

Home care can consist of special toothpaste and brush to clean the teeth, dental chews, specially designed foods, food and water additives. One of our Veterinarians or vet techs will be able to offer some suggestions during your next visit.

Dental Disease

Dental disease is one of the most common findings during annual exams.

Just like people, your pet can develop oral diseases and tartar buildup at different rates and therefore can have different requirements for dental health maintenance.

Some will require a full cleaning every year, others may only every need one or two cleanings in their lifetime. Your pets dental health is assessed during his/her yearly physical exam and one of our veterinarians will make recommendations on the best course of action for you pet.

Dental health issues can lead to, infections, abscesses, gingivitis, oral pain, tooth loss, difficulty eating, weight loss, poor grooming habits, bad breath, and more serious problems such as bone infections and diseases in other areas of the body.

For several reasons, dental prophylaxis is done under general anesthesia. In addition to the benefit of being able to physically perform the procedures, this method of anesthesia protects your pet from inhaling aerosolized bacteria, which could cause pneumonia.

Many clients express concern regarding the anesthesia that is required. Although no anesthetic event is risk free, we have several measures in place which evaluate your pet for undue risk. Specifically, we offer pre-anesthetic blood screens to assess your pets overall health, and help determine what type and dosage of anesthetics to use. We may prescribe antibiotics before, during, and/or after the procedure.

In some cases, usually when there is underlying illness, animals will be hospitalized and given intravenous fluids before and after the procedure. Of course, the vast majority of animals anesthetized for dental work do not require aggressive peri-operative treatment, but it is available and provided as needed.

There are many things you can do to prevent dental disease in your pet. Toothbrushes, enzymatic toothpastes, special diets and “chewies” are readily available at Woodbrook Animal Clinic. Our doctors are available by appointment to consult with you regarding your pets dental needs, whether they be preventative or restorative.

Contact Us!

Call Us (207) 389-4395
Addres: 13 Hunnewell Lane, Woolwich, ME 04579
Weekdays, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Previous
Next

FAQ:

Click on the different tabs to read about common pet health concerns!

Allergies

Like people, dogs can have allergies in which their immune systems recognize everyday substances as allergens. Some common substances that can cause dog allergies are fleas, food ingredients, pollens, mold spores, mites, perfumes, cleaning products, fabrics, or rubber and plastic materials.

Although there may be a genetic component, any breed of dog can develop allergies at any age. However, most allergies develop between one and four years of age.

Most commonly, dogs with allergies will be ITCHY. They may show this by scratching, licking or chewing themselves. Itchiness around the back or tail base is often due to flea allergies. They may have additional dermatologic symptoms, including itchy, red, moist or scabbed skin, brown discolored fur, hair loss, itchy and runny eyes, ear infections, and eye infections. Secondary bacterial or yeast skin infections that require further treatment. Depending on the type of allergy and the severity, signs may also include sneezing, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Severe allergic reactions include hives, facial swelling (especially in dogs), and rarely shock, respiratory and cardiac failure leading to death. These are often to certain drugs, chemicals or insect bites.

 

What to Do If You Suspect Your Pet Has Allergies:

If you suspect your animal suffers from flea, food, or contact allergies, please contact your veterinarian to schedule an appointment. Your veterinarian may recommend further diagnostic testing, including skin cytology and blood tests. If allergies are suspected, your veterinarian may subsequently recommend some or all of the following treatments:

  1. Antibiotics: Secondary bacterial or yeast skin infections are present and may require oral antibiotics or anti-yeast medications to treat these infections prior to further diagnostics or treatments of the underlying allergies.
  2. Shampoos: Natural shampoos (often oatmeal based) are often recommended to remove possible contact allergens from being absorbed thru the skin. Additionally, medicated shampoos may be used to provide added itch relief.
  3. Anti-inflammatory allergy medications: Depending on the nature of the allergy, steroids, antihistamines, or cyclosporine may be prescribed to prevent inflammation and itchiness.
  4. Omega fatty acids: To promote skin and hair coat health, omega fatty acids may be recommended. These may also provide beneficial anti-inflammatory properties.
  5. Change to Hypoallergenic Diet: In instances of suspected food allergies, hypoallergenic diets may be recommended on a trial or permanent basis.

 

If you suspect a severe allergic reaction and anaphylaxis, contact your veterinarian or Emergency Hotline as soon as possible as this can be a life-threatening condition.

As pets age, pets often develop joint disease that may have mild to severe affects on your pet’s quality of life.

Although dogs (especially larger breeds) are more susceptible to arthritis, it can also be seen in cats. Conditions that can worsen or trigger arthritis include tendon disease, fractures, developmental disorders (such as hip or elbow dysplasia), cancer, inflammatory joint disease (such as from Lyme disease), degenerative joint disease, or many others.

 

As with humans, signs of arthritis often include stiffness, limping, reluctance to move, difficulty rising (especially after sleep or resting), limb favoring while moving, or evident pain.

If your animal displays any of the signs indicated above, an appointment with a veterinarian is warranted. Further diagnostics may be available to determine a cause of your animal’s lameness (e.g. a Lyme disease test or radiographs to determine if the dog is suffering from hip dysplasia or cranial cruciate disease).

Furthermore, your veterinarian can provide medications and supplements that lessen the progression or clinical signs of arthritis. These may include pain medications, anti-inflammatories, or glucosamine supplements. A weight management plan and exercise routine may also be developed.

A dog and cat ear canal is different from people.

There are three areas of the ear: outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.

  • The outside is simple called the outer ear. This consist of the the flap called the pinna.
  • The inside of the ear which we can see is part of the outer ear called the ear canal. This is cone shaped and longer then humans. The canal is shaped like an L. The canal ends at the tympanic membrane commonly called the ear drum.
  • Beyond this point special diagnostic tools are needed to see what is going on in the middle ear and the inner ear.

The ear canal is lined with specialized skin containing sebaceous glands, cerum producing glands and hair follicles. The glands secrete oily secretions and enzymes involved with antimicrobial activity. There is a complex micro-environment in the ear involving the constant battle of keeping the level of bacteria and yeast in check.

Dogs that are more prone to ear infections can be the floppy eared breeds more than upright eared breeds. Dogs with hair in the ear verses those without hair are also high risk. These would include the cocker spaniel, golden retriever, poddle and schnauzer.

Floppy ears are not the only cause for the higher risk. The glands and ph of the ear canal can predispose these breeds. Underlying issues increase the risk of ear infections such as allergies and endrocrine disease.

Cats often don’t get ear infections. They are very fastideous and groom themselves so it unusaul to see infections in cats. Most cat ear issues are associated with ear mites. If it is not mites, ear infections are generally a secondary to another underlying issue.

  • infections from bacteria or yeast
  • wax buildup in the ear canal
  • allergies
  • autoimmune disease
  • tumors or polps within the ear canal

There have been 14 species of ticks identified in Maine.  At least 4 of these species can transmit disease.

  • Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis are commonly diagnosed tick borne diseases.
  • During 2014 in Maine: Ticks are most active during the spring and fall months, but can be found during the summer and even on those warmer winter days!
  • 1 in 7 dogs tested positive for Lyme disease,
  • 1 in 12 tested positive for anaplasmosis, and
  • 1 in 78 for ehrlichiosis
  • Diagnosing tick borne disease can be done with a simple blood test here in clinic.
  • WBAC also offers several products to prevent ticks from biting your pets.

 

Only 5% of the flea life cycle is spent on your pet.  The other 95% is spent in the environment (your home!)

  • Fleas can carry tapeworm and bartenella
  • Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day for 50 days.  That is 2500 egg in 1 female fleas lifetime!
  • 1 flea bite can cause and allergic reaction on your pet known as flea allergy dermatitis
  • Flea eggs can be carried home on clothing or bags.  Indoor pets are not immune to fleas!
  • WBAC has several products available to prevent and treat fleas!