Bear, an adorable 5-year-old Shih Tzu, was presented to Family VetCare for unexplained weight loss. After an oral examination, Dr. Wodiske identified some interesting–and likely painful–findings.
Bear had significant tartar (mineralized bacteria) and gum loss affecting multiple teeth in his mouth. While under anesthesia, we performed a thorough oral and dental exam where we were able to fully his mouth. To everyone’s surprise, eight of his teeth were already loose! Dental radiographs revealed abscesses at the tooth roots, which we believed to be the underlying reason for his pain and weight loss.
The Aftermath
We carefully removed the infected teeth (11 in total!) as a means to eliminate pain and help improve his quality of life. We scaled and polished the remaining teeth, and these before and after pictures show his new set of sparkling pearly whites!
Bear recovered wonderfully from anesthesia and is expected to heal perfectly from his oral surgery. We fully anticipate him to be a happier, healthier, and more robust version of himself going forward!
At Family VetCare, we LOVE stories like these. These types of stories fuel our passion to provide the medical care that our patients need and deserve, and we feel blessed to play a role in keeping them happy and healthy. We are very thankful to serve Bear and his family, and we take great pride in helping to strengthen and extend the human-animal bond that exists in his home!
We love you Bear, you were a TROOPER, and we’re excited for your pain-free future!
Every February, the veterinary community celebrates National Pet Dental Health Month by encouraging pet owners to take care of their pets’ teeth. Without proper dental hygiene routines, pets develop a painful condition called periodontal disease, which is the most common disorder affecting our pets nationwide! By age three, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have evidence of pain and infection caused by periodontal disease.
Left untreated, dental disease can significantly impact a pet’s quality of life. It can cause painful gum inflammation, tooth loss and make eating difficult. At later stages, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause heart, liver and kidney complications. Pets are good at hiding pain, so it’s important for pet owners to take steps to prevent periodontal disease from striking in the first place.
At Family VetCare, we believe in preventing disease before it becomes a bigger—and more expensive—problem. This is why our veterinarians regularly check your pet’s teeth during an exam, and may strongly recommend a dental cleaning.
We offer comprehensive dental care to help your pet live a long and pain-free life! Please take advantage of the 10% OFF coupon located on our website, and know that we are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your pets dental health – just give us a call at:
Chandler 480-940-9494
Mesa 480-892-7958
Phoenix 480-759-9494
Did you catch our veterinarians on the news recently?
Earlier this month, Dr. Travis Wodiske spoke to CBS 5 and 3TV about the disturbing new trend of pet owners abusing their pet’s prescriptions.
FVC veterinarian Dr. Leah Patrick also talked with CBS 5 and 3TV, providing important information regarding “Valley Fever” – a fungal disease that can cause serious illness in dogs.
Our veterinarians are always willing to provide their expertise when it comes to helping our local community. Be sure to look for them in the news again soon!