Veterinary Dental Care for Cats and Dogs

Oral health plays a vital role in your pet’s overall wellbeing, yet it’s often overlooked until problems become serious. Dental issues in cats and dogs can cause pain, discomfort and even lead to broader health complications if left untreated.

Common Dental Conditions in Pets

• Plaque and Tartar: plaque is a sticky film that builds up on teeth and can harden into tartar, which requires professional cleaning to remove.
• Gum Disease: conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis can damage the tissues around the teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss.
• Tooth Fractures and Resorption: chewing on hard objects or advanced dental disease may result in broken teeth or resorption, where the tooth structure deteriorates.
• Oral Tumors: though less common, growths in the mouth can occur and may require surgical intervention.

What is otoscopy?

An otoscopy is one of the ways we make sure your pet’s ears stay healthy and comfortable. It’s a simple procedure where we use a small tool called an otoscope — equipped with a light and a magnifying lens or camera — to look gently inside your pet’s ear canal and check the eardrum. This gives our team a clear view of what’s happening deeper in the ear, helping us diagnose issues accurately and choose the best treatment for your pet.

Why do we perform otoscopy?

We may recommend an otoscopic exam if your pet is showing signs that their ears are bothering them. Some common reasons include:
• Chronic ear infections: Ongoing or recurring infections that don’t fully clear up.
• Scratching or head shaking: Pets who seem unusually irritated by their ears.
• Ear discharge: Any unusual fluid, especially if it has a smell or odd colour.
• Changes in hearing: Reduced responsiveness or suspected hearing loss.
• Redness or swelling: Visible irritation or inflammation inside the ear.
• Head tilt or balance changes: Loss of balance, persistent tilting or circling.

Our aim is always to make the experience as gentle and stress free as possible while getting to the root of the problem quickly, so your pet can feel like themselves again.