FAQ

Q? How do you schedule an appointment?

 

A: Click Here To Find Out How To Schedule An Appointment.

 

Q? Why should you bring your pet to Pet Dental Center?

 

A: At Pet Dental Center, we offer comprehensive dental care for pets, ranging from routine cleanings and oral evaluations to advanced dentistry and oral surgery.

If your pet has not had a thorough oral exam and dental X-rays in the past 12 months, they are due for dental care. Additionally, if your pet has bad breath, signs of oral discomfort, or any suspected dental disease, a detailed oral evaluation is essential to detect and treat underlying issues.

Your regular veterinarian may refer your pet to us for specialized assessment and treatment, particularly for conditions such as:

Advanced periodontal disease
Feline tooth resorption & stomatitis
Fractured or damaged teeth
Maxillofacial trauma & jaw fractures
Oral tumors & cancer diagnosis
Need for advanced dental imaging (radiographs & CBCT scans)
High-risk anesthesia cases requiring expert care

Our team is highly trained in veterinary dentistry and anesthesia, ensuring the safest and most effective treatmentfor your pet’s dental health. If you have any concerns about your pet’s oral health, we’re here to help!

 

Q: How Should You Prepare Your Pet for Their Appointment?

A: Before any dental procedure, we require a consultation appointment. This ensures we have time to thoroughly review your pet’s diagnosis, discuss treatment options, go over costs, and provide clear instructions on what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. This step helps create a smoother, less stressful experience for both you and your pet on procedure day.

Fasting & Medication Instructions for Anesthesia

To ensure your pet’s safety under anesthesia:
✔️ No food for at least 12 hours prior to the appointment – Please remove any food the evening before.
✔️ Water is okay – Your pet may have access to fresh water at all times.
✔️ Medication Guidelines – If your pet is on any medications, we will review their specific needs before the procedure and provide instructions on whether they should be given the morning of their appointment.

Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork & Diagnostics

Because anesthesia safety is a top priority, we require recent bloodwork (within two months of the procedure) to check for any underlying conditions. Additional diagnostics may be required depending on your pet’s age and health status to help us develop the safest, most customized anesthesia plan for them.

If you have any questions about how to prepare for your pet’s visit, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way!

 

Q: What Should You Bring to Your Pet’s Appointment?

A: To ensure a smooth check-in process and the best possible care for your pet, please bring the following items to your appointment:

✔️ Registration Form – You will receive this form in your appointment confirmation email. Filling it out ahead of time helps expedite check-in, but if you don’t have time, no worries—we’ll have one ready for you.

✔️ All Medications Your Pet is Currently Taking – Bringing your pet’s medications allows our team to review dosages and ensure there are no conflicts with anesthesia or treatment plans.

✔️ Any Additional Medical Records – We will request and review your pet’s medical records from your general care veterinarian and any specialists prior to your visit. However, if you have any recent test results or documents that may be helpful, feel free to bring them along.

If you have any questions about what to bring, please don’t hesitate to reach out before your appointment—we’re happy to help!

 

Q: How Long Will My Pet Stay for the Procedure?

A: To ensure we provide the best possible care, your pet will stay with us for the majority of the day. Most pets are discharged in the afternoon or early evening, typically between 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM. We will check in with you multiple times throughout your pet’s stay to keep you in the loop every step of the way.

In rare cases where a pet requires 24-hour post-operative monitoring, we will coordinate care with a local 24-hour facility staffed by trained veterinarians and technicians. If your pet is considered high risk and requires overnight care, we will discuss this in advance so you know exactly what to expect.

Our team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth recovery for your pet, and we will provide detailed at-home care instructions at discharge. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask—we’re here to help!

Q: How Long Will It Take for My Pet to Recover from the Procedure?

A: Recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed, but most pets bounce back quickly after anesthesia. Here’s what you can expect:

✔️ First 12-24 Hours: It’s common for pets to experience mild sleepiness, grogginess, and a temporary decrease in appetite following general anesthesia. This is normal as their body metabolizes the anesthesia. Provide a quiet, comfortable space for them to rest.

✔️ 24-48 Hours Post-Procedure: Most pets will return to normal activity levels and appetite within this timeframe. However, some may take a bit longer, especially senior pets or those with pre-existing conditions.

✔️ If Oral Surgery Was Performed:
🔹 Soft or Canned Food: Your pet will need a softened diet (canned food or moistened kibble) for up to two weeks to protect healing tissues.
🔹 Medications: Pain relief and sometimes antibiotics may be prescribed, depending on the procedure. Follow all medication instructions carefully to ensure a smooth recovery.
🔹 Oral Care Restrictions: Avoid hard chew toys, bones, or rough play that could disturb healing for 14 days post procedure.

When to Contact Us

While most pets recover smoothly, you should reach out to us if you notice:
🚨 Persistent lethargy beyond 48 hours
🚨 Severe swelling, bleeding, or discharge from the mouth
🚨 Refusal to eat for more than 24 hours
🚨 Excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, or signs of discomfort

At Pet Dental Center, we prioritize your pet’s comfort and safety, and we’ll provide detailed aftercare instructions tailored to their specific procedure. If you have any concerns about your pet’s recovery, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

 

Q: What Are the Payment Options?

A: At Pet Dental Center, we strive to make payment as convenient as possible by offering multiple options:

✔️ Accepted Payment Methods: We accept credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express) and cash. Please note that checks are not accepted.

✔️ Financing Options: For those who need financial flexibility, we offer CareCredit and ScratchPay, both of which provide financing solutions to help manage veterinary expenses.

                    CareCredit: A healthcare financing option that allows you to split payments into manageable monthly installments. Many clients find this helpful when unexpected veterinary costs arise. To apply, click the “Apply Now”button in the banner below.

ScratchPay: Another financing alternative with flexible payment plans that cater to different budgets. To apply, click HERE.

Financing options vary based on individual approval and can provide much-needed peace of mind by ensuring your pet gets the care they need when they need it most.

If you have any questions about payment options, feel free to contact our team—we’re happy to help!

Commonly Asked Questions

Does My Pet Need A Dental Cleaning?

Dental cleanings should be recommended based on each individual pet’s level of plaque and calculus build up and gingivitis. For some pets, cleanings may be necessary every 6 months, for others it could be every couple of years. More importantly, pets need to have routine oral evaluations with dental probing and full mouth dental radiographs no less than every 2 years and in some pets every 6 months. This includes pets who may have minimal plaque, calculus or gingivitis. It must be understood that clean teeth are not always healthy and therefore could be causing you pet pain or discomfort.

My Dog Has Bad Breath.

Bad breath is the number one symptom of advanced dental disease in pets. In most cases, bad breath in pets originates from disease causing bacteria. When pathogenic bacteria begin to flourish in the mouth, bad breath develops. It is important to have your pet’s oral health fully assessed with thorough oral examination and dental radiographs as soon as bad breath is noticed to prevent severe infections and tooth loss. These bacteria can also negatively affect other parts of the body and contribute to cardiac or renal disease.

My Pet Has Increased Risks For Anesthesia, How Can They Get The Dental Care They Need?

It is not fair to make a pet live with chronic dental pain and infection because they are considered an increased risk for anesthesia. At Pet Dental Center, we specialize in providing high level anesthesia care for geriatric pets and those with increased risks such as heart, kidney, liver, neurologic, diabetes and Cushing’s diseases. Because of our reputation for providing the highest level of anesthesia care possible, we average treating one high risk patient each day. Trust your pet with the ones who perform the most anesthesia procedures in high risk patients, Pet Dental Center.

Is It Normal For My Pet’s Teeth To Fall Out?

Baby or deciduous teeth are supposed to fall out when dogs and cats are teething, between 3 and 7 months of age. Adult or permanent teeth are present for the life of a dog and cat as long as they are healthy. If your pet is losing adult teeth there is severe dental disease. Advanced periodontal disease is the most likely cause for a pet losing teeth although dental fractures and tooth resorption are other likely causes.

What Kind Of Chews Are Good For My Pet’s Teeth?

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to prevent dental disease at home and should be performed daily. When your pet does not accept brushing or for supplemental dental care in those pets who are getting their teeth brushed, dental chews can be a good choice. We recommend using dental chews that have the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. This verifies that the product has been tested in clinical trials and was shown to significantly reduce plaque or calculus. We also recommend slowly introducing dental chews by offering a reduced amount of the chew and observing your pet while chewing. This is to make sure he or she does not swallow a large portion of the chew that could lead to choking or digestive complications. Hard chew objects such as bones, hooves, antlers, thick rawhide products and plastic toys often lead to dental fractures and should always be avoided.