There's No Such Thing as a "Simple" Dental Infection
Murray, a cute, frisky Bichon Frise, was rescued at the age of 8 from a home where he suffered neglect. The new owners brought Murray in to see us for an overall wellness checkup; he checked out well for a senior citizen, with one exception: It appeared he had never had his teeth cleaned and they were covered with plaque (bacteria that coat the tooth surface). The doctor recommended a complete exam and cleaning ASAP. Murray and his owner left with antibiotics that he was to take for 5 days prior to the cleaning to prevent the bacteria from entering his blood stream during the procedure. He loved taking his pills...they were always hidden in cheese.
Our standard procedure for all senior pets is to run blood tests to ensure that there would be no risk from anesthesia. Murray was a pretty cooperative patient. Our medical team then administered Isoflurane, a safe anesthesia that is also used in human medicine, and monitored Murray's vital signs throughout the entire procedure. His dental exam showed a loose tooth caused by bacteria pockets that had progressed along the root of the tooth.
His tooth was extracted, and he was treated with antibiotics to prevent the infection from causing further damage and serious health risks. We have him on a twice-yearly dental program to keep him healthy.
Murray was one of the lucky ones. Frequently, when the gums are attacked by infection, bacteria enter the pet's bloodstream. This is where the danger really begins. Bacteria can travel to major organs and begin infection there. The most susceptible organs are those with the highest blood flow:
Kidneys
Lungs
Liver
Heart
Nervous System
Organ damage is often treatable when detected early. However, even when treatable, organ damage can lead to discomfort for the pet, plus expense and inconvenience for his owner. In its advanced stages, organ damage can shorten a pet's life. We strongly promote a regular dental exam and cleaning for our patients to help prevent serious health problems.
