What's Included in a Dental Cleaning?
A professional dental cleaning is one of the most important things you can do for your pet's overall health. Here's a step-by-step look at everything that happens when your pet comes in for a dental procedure at Healthy Pet.
Before the Procedure
Making sure your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia and as comfortable as possible
Doctor Evaluation
Our veterinarian performs a full health evaluation on the day of the procedure to confirm your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia.
Technician Assessment
A Certified Veterinary Technician gathers vital signs including weight, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, and takes extra time to help your pet feel relaxed and at ease.
Pre-Anesthetic Blood Work
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) and chemistry panel are run right in our clinic to screen for dehydration, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, infection, anemia, or other conditions that could complicate anesthesia. This blood work is included in the cost of the dental cleaning.
IV Catheter Placement
An IV catheter is placed, usually in a front leg, so we can administer fluids during the procedure and have a direct route for any medications needed.
Pre-Procedure Pain Management
Pain medications are administered before the procedure begins, providing pain control for up to 24 hours. If teeth are extracted, additional pain medications are sent home, also included in the cost.
Sedation
The veterinarian administers medication to relax and sedate your pet just before the procedure begins.
During the Procedure
Your pet is never alone. A licensed technician monitors continuously under direct supervision of the doctor.
A licensed veterinary technician will continuously monitor your pet under the direct supervision of the doctor throughout the entire procedure.
IV fluids run continuously to keep blood pressure stable. Our team monitors and adjusts anesthesia to keep your pet completely sedated and pain-free while receiving continuous oxygen therapy to ensure adequate oxygenation to the brain and major organs.
We use advanced surgical monitoring technology to watch several parameters simultaneously on one screen.
Our surgical monitoring system tracks multiple vital parameters in real time
What We Monitor Continuously
ECG
Electrocardiogram watches for any changes in heart function
Oxygen Saturation
SpO2 levels monitored in your pet's blood
CO2 Levels
End tidal carbon dioxide continuously tracked
Blood Pressure
Readings taken every four minutes
Temperature
Continuously monitored to prevent hypothermia or hyperthermia
Heat Therapy
Warming equipment keeps your pet at a safe, stable temperature
Cleaning, Examination & Treatment
Every tooth is individually examined, probed, and cleaned
Your pet's mouth is fully examined and each tooth is individually probed to check for decay, disease, or damage.
Ultrasonic scaling removes attached debris and tartar from every tooth surface. The condition of your pet's teeth and gums is documented in their medical record.
If teeth need to be extracted, your pet receives a treatment with our therapy laser to encourage blood flow to the extraction site. Increased blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to the area and carries away waste materials faster than the body normally would, reducing both swelling and pain.
Our dental unit for ultrasonic scaling and cleaning
After the Procedure
Your pet is never left alone during recovery
Constant Recovery Monitoring
A veterinary technician stays with your pet every second until they wake from anesthesia, watching for any potential complications and providing comfort.
Continued Observation
After your pet is awake, they are monitored closely and remain within sight of our staff at all times. A technician checks on your pet regularly and documents their condition in the medical record.
Personal Discharge Meeting
A veterinary technician meets with you privately in an exam room to explain what to watch for at home and provide instructions on any medications. You'll also receive before and after photos of your pet's teeth.
See the Difference
A real example from a dental cleaning at Healthy Pet
A dog's upper teeth with significant tartar buildup. In some breeds, this amount of debris can accumulate in as little as 6–12 months.
The same teeth after a full evaluation by the doctor, ultrasonic scaling by a veterinary technician, and a complete dental cleaning.
Schedule a Dental Cleaning
As you can see, a lot goes into keeping your pet's teeth healthy. Dental cleanings are a necessary part of your pet's overall health care and should be evaluated by a veterinarian at least once a year. Give us a call with any questions or to schedule a cleaning.