COMPANION ANIMAL DENTISTRY

Every pet dental procedure at GVG begins with a detailed oral examination under general anaesthesia. This allows us to accurately assess your pet’s teeth and gums without causing stress or discomfort.

We use:

• Full-mouth dental radiographs to detect disease below the gum line
• Scaling and polishing to remove plaque and tartar, both above and below the gum line
• Extractions where teeth are damaged, infected, or causing pain
• Advanced extraction techniques, including crown reductions for less traumatic removal in suitable patients

We also tailor treatment plans to suit the needs of both the pet and their owner. In some cases, we may stage procedures to make anaesthesia shorter and safer, or to spread costs over time.

Dental disease is extremely common in pets:

• Dogs - Around 80% of dogs over three years of age show signs of periodontal disease. This causes gum inflammation, bad breath and eventually loose or painful teeth.
• Cats - Many cats suffer from periodontal disease, but they are also prone to feline resorptive lesions, a painful condition where the tooth structure breaks down.

Without treatment, dental disease can cause chronic pain, tooth loss, and may even contribute to problems in the heart, liver, or kidneys.

Advanced procedures such as root canal therapy are now available at some specialist veterinary dental practices.  We can advise you of your options once a thorough dental examination has been performed.

General anaesthesia is essential for safe and thorough dental care. At GVG, we take anaesthetic safety seriously.

• Pre-anaesthetic blood testing is recommended for all pets and strongly advised for those aged seven years and over
• Blood tests check liver and kidney function and help us choose the safest anaesthetic and pain relief plan for your pet
• We also consider whether certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, are safe to use

We aim to keep your pet as comfortable as possible during and after their dental procedure. Our approach includes:

• Local anaesthetic nerve blocks - Providing 6-8 hours of targeted pain relief after extractions
• Intravenous fluid therapy - Used for most patients to maintain hydration, support blood pressure and provide immediate IV access for medications if needed
• Advanced monitoring - A trained veterinary nurse monitors your pet’s heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, carbon dioxide levels and ECG trace throughout the procedure

We understand that every pet’s dental needs and every owner’s circumstances are unique. That’s why we offer a range of dental care options based on:

• The severity of your pet’s dental disease
• Their overall health and anaesthetic risk
• Your financial considerations

Our goal is to ensure your pet receives the care they need in a way that works for you.