Dental treatments for dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs
Oral health plays an essential role in your pet’s overall well-being. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in companion animals, especially in dogs and cats, but also in rabbits and guinea pigs. Signs such as bad breath, drooling, difficulty eating, chewing on one side, or changes in behaviour may indicate pain in the mouth. During every consultation, our vet carefully examines your pet’s teeth and gums. Detecting early dental changes allows us to prevent pain and more serious problems later on.
What to expect during a dental procedure
In the days prior to the procedure, we will contact you to review the anaesthesia questionnaire. On the day of treatment, your pet will be weighed and examined by the vet before being anaesthetised. If you wish to be present while your pet is being sedated, this can be arranged. Please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
For dogs, an intravenous catheter is usually placed in one of the front legs to administer the anaesthetic medication. Cats generally receive a small sedative injection in the muscle first before the IV is placed. Once anaesthetised, a breathing tube is inserted to deliver oxygen and inhalation anaesthesia. This also protects the airway, preventing any water or debris from the dental cleaning from entering the lungs.
Throughout the anaesthetic procedure, your pet is continuously monitored by a veterinary nurse using modern equipment to track breathing, heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Body temperature is checked regularly, especially in smaller animals, which are prone to cooling down. To maintain body temperature, we use a warm-air blanket system, which keeps patients comfortably warm and stable. Intravenous fluids are administered during the procedure to maintain hydration and support circulation, helping your pet recover smoothly and comfortably afterwards.
For all dogs and cats, we routinely take full-mouth dental X-rays. These allow us to detect problems below the gumline, such as root infections or bone loss, that cannot be seen during a visual examination. Each tooth is then carefully assessed, cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler, and polished to help delay new plaque build-up. When indicated, further treatment can be performed during the same anaesthetic, for example, tooth extractions or dental fillings.
If you wish, we can contact you during the procedure to discuss the findings, treatment plan and an updated cost estimate. After the procedure, you will receive clear information about the treatment and detailed aftercare instructions. If extractions were performed, we usually schedule a follow-up appointment after one week to ensure that healing is progressing well. During this visit, we can also demonstrate how to brush your pet’s teeth - an effective way to maintain oral health and prevent future problems.
Veterinarian Sarah Farrand has a strong passion for and extensive experience in veterinary dentistry. She performs both routine and advanced dental procedures, including:
Professional dental cleaning and polishing
Full-mouth dental X-rays
Closed and surgical extractions
Full-mouth extractions in cats (successful in approximately 95% of cases in a single anaesthetic), for example in cases of gingivostomatitis
Sealing or filling of fractured teeth
Extraction of retained deciduous (baby) canine teeth
Extraction of misaligned puppy canines that damage the palate
Shortening, grinding, and filling of teeth or molars that cause discomfort or injury
At Dierenkliniek Westlandgracht, we also accept dental referrals from other veterinary practices. However, a referral is not required; clients are equally welcome to contact us directly for a dental consultation or treatment.
Would you like to have your pet’s teeth checked or schedule a dental procedure?
At Dierenkliniek Westlandgracht, we offer a free dental check-up, allowing us to assess whether treatment is needed, and if so, to provide a price estimate for treatment.
Please contact us or easily book an appointment online.