At Blum Animal Hospital
Healthy Teeth & Gums = Healthy Pets

One of the best things you can do for your pet is to help him or her maintain good dental hygiene. It’s very hard to know if your pet is suffering from dental disease and often the only way to find out is during your annual pet wellness exam. During the examination, your vet will discuss your pet’s dental condition and make recommendations for keeping your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

Recommendations may include daily brushing at home or in-hospital cleaning. If your pet requires in-hospital cleaning, he or she will be well cared for by our dental experts and given a thorough cleaning. In order to do this, we will have to use general anesthesia.

Whenever we use general anesthesia, whether for veterinary surgery or dental cleaning, we monitor your pet closely at all times to make sure he or she is comfortable throughout the procedure. Pets receiving dental care at Blum Animal Hospital are almost always able to return home on the same day as the procedure.

If you are not scheduled for a wellness exam in the coming weeks, we suggest you be on the lookout for the following signs that your pet may need immediate dental care:

• Bad breath
• Yellow, brown, or discolored teeth
• Red, inflamed gums
• Pain when eating
• No longer plays with chew toys
• Loose teeth
• Swollen mouth or gums

Ignoring your pet’s dental hygiene can affect your pet’s organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, please contact us at (773) 327-4446 to schedule an appointment.