Serious health problems — such as heart, lung and kidney disease — can stem from dental neglect. Here’s some expert advice.

By Susan Easterly

A new passion for dental care is growing among veterinarians, and their mantra is brush, brush, brush, notes Jennifer E. Rawlinson, DVM, a lecturer in veterinary dentistry at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Thanks in part to new advances and concepts adapted from human dentistry and modified for animals, veterinary dental care no longer ranks as one of the most commonly ignored areas of pet health care. To encourage optimal dental health, the American Animal Hospital Association recently published the “AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.” The guidelines are designed to help veterinary teams provide comprehensive dental care for animals — everything from pre-anesthetic exams to anesthesia monitoring…

Purchase Selection or begin your FREE 14-day trial subscription to CatWatchNewsletter.com