Dentistry

Dentistry

Lowrys Animal Hospital is able to handle many dental dilemmas that may arise in your pets mouth.

Dental disease is one of the most common problems we see in pets. Since pets do not brush their teeth the tartar and bacteria accumulate over time on their teeth leading to large amounts of calculus formation as well as the development of gingivitis. Once gingivitis occurs the next step is periodontal disease which will ultimately lead to abscesses and may even cause tooth loss.

Have you ever wondered what causes your pet to have that terrible breath? The cause for the odor is the bacteria that lives in the pets mouth. As more bacteria accumulates the smell will become worse.

The best thing for a pets teeth is to have their teeth brushed daily which will help remove the tartar buildup. Once your pet gets used to having their teeth brushed it can be a great way to spend quality time with your friend. Use a small soft bristle toothbrush or a finger toothbrush and use toothpaste made for animals. The key to success is to take small steps at a time. The first couple days just allow them to lick and smell the toothbrush and then slowly introduce the brush to their teeth. One tooth at a time will help in the long run because they will not be scared of what will happen. Getting started when puppies are young, even when they still have baby teeth, is a great way to ensure dental health in the future.

Unfortunately a good dental routine at home is unrealistic for a lot of pets. Some animals truly dislike anything in their mouth, around their face, or there are just not enough hours in the day. There are many options that you can try at home to help with dental care other than brushing your pets teeth. For example, feeding a dental care diet with a larger nugget will help decrease the tartar accumulation by breaking off pieces of tartar as your pet eats. There are also a variety of treats that can help with keeping the mouth healthy as well as water additives to help decrease the number of bacteria around the teeth. Ask us about options to help keep your pets smile healthy!

When tartar accumulates on teeth and the gingival becomes affected it is time to have your pets teeth cleaned. During this very routine procedure your pet is anesthetized and the teeth are scaled and polished just like a human dentist would. This also allows us to perform a thorough dental exam during which we check the insides of the teeth and check for pockets in the gingival which could be early signs of periodontal disease. If needed we can recommend treatments to help save teeth that have signs of periodontal disease and recommend at home care to keep the teeth as healthy as we can.

Dental cleanings are an outpatient procedure and your pet will be able to go home in the evening. As needed we will send your pet home with pain medication and antibiotics to ensure the best recovery and success.

At times we may find teeth that are broken or loose during examinations or after cleaning the teeth during a dental prophylaxis. We are able to handle complex extractions and manage advanced dental disease. We will make sure that we select a good treatment plan for you and your pet. If your pet had any extensive work done in their mouth we will bring you back 1 week after the procedure to ensure complete healing and success of the procedure.

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday

8am - noon and 1pm - 5pm

Tuesday

8am - noon and 1pm - 6pm

Wednesday

8am - noon and 1pm - 5pm

Thursday

8am - noon and 1pm - 5pm

Friday

8am - 12pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8am - noon and 1pm - 5pm
Tuesday
8am - noon and 1pm - 6pm
Wednesday
8am - noon and 1pm - 5pm
Thursday
8am - noon and 1pm - 5pm
Friday
8am - 12pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed