Comprehensive Dentistry 

Heartworm prevention aside, companion animal dental health is the most overlooked and underdiagnosed health condition in our pets.  At Veterinary Institute of Paducah, your pet's dental health is of primary importance. 

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Dental disease or periodontal disease is graded on a scale of 0-4.  Grade 1 of 4 periodontal disease has mild to moderate gingivitis with a mild to moderate amount of calculus while grade 4 of 4 periodontal disease includes major gingivitis, major gum recession, bleeding gums, exposed roots, mobile teeth, missing teeth, pus or infection around tooth roots, tooth root abscesses, as well as moderate to severe oral pain.  

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While intervention with a dental cleaning, exam and x-rays is ideal yearly for any patient, VIP strongly recommends a dental cleaning and exam when grade 2 periodontal disease is first diagnosed, and then yearly thereafter. 

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The development and progression of periodontal disease is highly variable and can be breed specific, although not every animal of these breeds are affected exactly the same.  This means that a Yorkie or Dachshund will likely need a dental cleaning and exam starting at 2-3 years old, while a Lab or German Shepherd may have no periodontal disease until 5-6 years of age.  

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Ultimately, the only way to determine if a dental cleaning and exam is necessary for your pet is a quick glance of your pet's teeth by our doctor during any exam.  Furthermore, the visual evidence of periodontal disease, like gingivitis, is actually a poor indicator of the overall severity of your pet's periodontal disease.  This means that if any gingivitis is present, a dental cleaning and exam, WITH X-RAYS, is recommended.  

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At VIP all of our dental cleaning and oral exams include full-mouth digital x-rays.  There is absolutely no way to determine the extent of periodontal disease without taking x-rays of each tooth.  The information we gain from full-mouth x-rays is invaluable in making the best determination of your pet's overall oral health.  

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Due to the high level of periodontal disease in our companion pets, the cost of VIP's dental cleaning, exam, and full-mouth x-rays is a flat $200.00, plus tax (Dogs weighing more than 80 pounds have a additional fee of $50.00 as their procedures require more supplies and take more time).   

 

Our Comprehensive Dental Cleaning and Exam Procedure with Full-Mouth Radiographs includes:

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• A pre-anesthesthetic physical exam

• A basic pre-anesthesthetic blood profile

  • *A Golden Years comprehensive blood profile is recommended for our senior pets*​

• Besides constant supervision by one of our Veterinary Nurses, every patient undergoing general anesthesia at VIP is guaranteed to have comprehensive anesthesia monitoring and vital signs measurements and management.   This includes:

  • Blood oxygen saturation

    • How much oxygen is in the blood, normal levels are 90-100%​

  • Electrocardiogram or ECG​

    • The electrical tracing measuring heart rate, rhythm, and electrical conductivity​

  • Blood Pressure​

  • Core Body Temperature

    • Keeping core body temperature in the normal range of 99-102.5 is critical for the safest anesthetic and recovery experience. 

    • We provide intraoperative patient warming by a circulating heated water blanket as well as traditional heating blankets.​

  • Respiration and Apnea monitor​

    • A small device that alerts with every breath for continuous monitoring of normal, rhythmic breathing.​​

    • Normal, rhythmic breathing is a continuous indicator that the "plane" of general anesthesia is neither too light nor too deep.

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• After your pet's cleaning and thorough oral exam, the dental x-rays are reviewed by a doctor.  If any further treatments are necessary like extracting a diseased tooth or repairing deep gingival pockets, a specific estimate will be provided detailing all the recommended treatments.  For further understanding of treatment recommendations, or even plain curiosity, you can request a review of the dental x-rays with the doctor if you wish.  ​​

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If you think your pet's dental health needs to be assessed or if your pet needs a dental cleaning and exam, call the office and schedule today!