Animal Dentistry

Imagine never brushing your teeth or visiting the dentist...morning breath wouldn't even begin to describe the smell! Even worse would be the chronic pain, discomfort when eating and loss of teeth. But is there anything that can be done to prevent this in our pets? The answer is yes, and it's called a COHAT.

What does COHAT stand for?

C = Comprehensive

O = Oral

H = Health

A = Assessment

T = Treatment

Simply put a pet that undergoes a COHAT will receive a comprehensive oral health assessment, and any needed treatments to achieve a healthy mouth. 

Why is a COHAT so important?

During a COHAT all patients will have their teeth cleaned using an ultrasonic scaler, similar to those used in human dentistry, then polished. During this time the patient's teeth are also assessed using dental probes and radiology. This assessment helps to identify potentially problematic teeth needing to be removed. 

According to the AVMA if left untreated "advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet. Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth. Other health problems found in association with periodontal disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes."

What options are there for at home dental care?

Prevention is key, whether you are starting early on in your pet's life or following a COHAT. Consistency is also very important. Doing prevention on an occasional basis does little to prevent the build-up of tartar and plaque. A regular regiment of dental care however, can help improve your pet's quality of life.

Here are a few home care options. See our most recent Pet Advice video for in-depth dental home care tips and tricks.

• Brushing teeth
• Water additives
• Dental treats
• Oral sprays
• Oral gels