Advertiser Priceless Pet Clinic wants to remind our Readers that February is National Pet Dental Health Month:

Are you writing off your cats “tuna” breath to the canned food? Maybe you notice how bad your dog’s breath is after he licks your face. Do you think it must be due his “snacking in the litter box”, or because he “licks back there”? These are all answers I’ve heard from owners over the years. It is well established that periodontal disease plays a significant role in our pet’s lives. Periodontal disease and infection can affect the heart, kidneys, and other internal organ systems, not to mention the pain and discomfort that can be associated with an infected mouth. February is National Pet Dental Health Month. To promote awareness and care, Priceless Pet Clinic is offering 20% off dental packages during the months of February and March. The discount applies any pre-anesthetic bloodwork, an intravenous catheter and fluids, anesthesia, dental cleaning, scaling and polishing, dental x-rays (if needed), and extractions. A pre-procedure exam is needed to provide an accurate estimate based on your pet’s current dental needs. According to a 2013 analysis conducted by VPI Pet Insurance, the average cost to prevent dental disease in pets is $171.82, but it costs $531.71 to treat dental disease. This increased cost is due to the need for extractions of affected teeth, pain medications, antibiotics, prolonged anesthesia, etc. In severe cases, that cost can be significantly higher. Preventative measures could be as simple as brushing your pet’s teeth or offering treats that mechanically or enzymatically help reduce tartar build-up. While regular dental checkups are essential to help maintain your pet’s dental health, there are a number of signs that dental disease has already started. If you notice any of the symptoms below, take your pet into your veterinarian immediately:
  • Red swollen gums and brownish teeth.
  • Visible broken teeth
  • Bad breath—Most pets have breath that is less than fresh, but if it has the odor of spoiled fish/meat or rotten egg, it’s a sign that periodontal disease has already started.
  • Bleeding from the mouth.
  • Pawing or rubbing at the face and/or mouth.
  • Reluctance to eat hard foods—for example, picking it up and then spitting it out or dropping it.
Call Priceless Pet Clinic at 206-592-6454 for more information. Walk-in appointments are welcome 9 am-5 pm Monday-Saturday. For more information, visit www.pricelesspetclinic.com.]]>