Hi Kayte! I do alot of the teeth cleanings at my clinic, so I can tell you how we do them and what to ask your vet if that will help!
A regular dental does involve your pet being sedated and intubated...ask your vet what type of anesthetic will be used (we use isofluorane--an inhalant anesthetic that is considered very safe as it is not metabolized by the body and allows a fast recovery). As for the dental itself, depending on the condition of the teeth (amount of tartar, etc.), the length of time it takes for a full cleaning is about 1/2 hour...We use an ultrasonic "water pick" similar to what human dentists use to scale the teeth, then polish (again, like human dentists do) and apply fluoride! Depending on your clinic, there may be a dental technician who does the cleaning with the vet standing by to perform any extractions, or the vet may do the cleaning herself! As for other questions you may want to ask...I'm not sure how old Crackers is, but if he is older, be sure to ask whether or not the clinic has a heating device to keep his body temp regulated while sedated. Body temps drop when sedated which can drop blood pressure and make the recovery process much longer...especially in older pets! You may also want to ask about fluid therapy while sedated and even during the recovery process (I.V. drip)...it's not a necessary thing, but can aid in a smooth recovery process! Overall, a dental is a safe procedure! Just get all the assurances on the sedation process (we typically pre-med with atropine and some type of pain management med...as a sidenote for DOG owners, beware of the use of ketoprofen as a pain med for DOGS!! It's rare, but severe ulcering of the GI tract can occur)! Hope this helps! Jen **************************************************** "But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world; You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed..." --Antoine de Saint-Exupéry "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys." -- Chief Dan George "The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long..." --Blade Runner ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 9:00 am Subject: dental work To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org > Hi guys > I was just reading the sharing price archive and it made me > think!! In a > month or so Crackers will be going for a dental check up. His > first. What > exactly happens and can anyone share experiences such as how their > babies felt and > acted afterwards, what things are usually done? All the vet told > me was that > in the future we will do dental work. Nothing to worry about now. > I read once > where an owner got gold caps on the kitties teeth. LOL! i dont > think cracker > is the kinda bling bling cat!! Hope all is well > much love > Kayte and Crackers > Ps he has had his teeth and gums checked at each visit. >
