Eden Veterinary Practice Pets

Pet Smile Month September 2009

We are offering free dental check-ups during September as part of Pet Smile Month. Pet Smile Month is the largest veterinary run pet health campaign in the world with 1500 vet practices in the uk taking part. It aims to raise awareness of dental disease and to reduce needless suffering in thousands of affected animals.

Approximately 80% of our pets over 3 years old need dental treatment. They are walking around with infection and inflammation in their mouths, that not only cause pain and discomfort, but can spread to affect the whole body.

The commonest sign of dental disease is pain, but this can be shown in a variety of ways depending on your dog or cat's nature.

1) reluctance to eat - holding head to one side or dropping food while eating, reduced interest in hard/dry food whilst still eating soft food, pawing at mouth/face, or pain on examination/handling

2) reluctance to play - gradual or sudden loss of interest in chewing or retrieving toys

Another common sign is that owners think their pet is ageing, or slowing down, when in fact the reason they are more lethargic can be dental disease. These owners commonly say "he's like a puppy/kitten again" about 7-10 days after dental treatment has been done.

Other signs to watch for are drooling saliva, bad breath, red or bleeding gums, tartar, loose teeth, or swelling around the mouth/face.

Through sponsorship we will be distributing goody bags to cat and dog owners, while stocks last. These will contain special offers and samples of Pedigree Dentastix or Whiskas Dentabits. Throughout September we are offering free dental checks and guidance on the prevention and treatment of dental disease.

Prevention of dental disease includes tooth brushing, using dental chews and possibly considering a dental diet. The treatment of dental disease usually needs a general anaesthetic to allow a scale and polish to remove tartar, or for tooth extraction.

For more information on dental care and treatment including advice on diet and tooth brushing, go to www.petsmile.org.

To book your free dengtal check-up with us in September, and receive a goody bag, phone now on 01334 650888.

Although Pet Smile Month is aimed primarily at dogs and cats, we are also offering free dental checks for all small animals, including rabbits and guinea pigs.