Rufus is an 11-year-old cat who presented with a history of crying and bleeding from the mouth. The sharp end of a needle could be felt protruding through the skin under the jaw on the left side. After he was anesthetized, we could see black thread flowing down the back of the throat into the esophagus. Half of the needle was removed through the opening in the skin, and we were able to pull the other half of the needle out through the mouth by pulling on the attached thread. Rufus went home the same day on antibiotics and pain medication.
Dental Care is Important
When is the last time you looked in your pet’s mouth? The photo on the left shows teeth that did not receive routine dental care. The photo on the right is the same dog after a professional dental cleaning and extraction of loose teeth. What a difference!
Dental disease is a painful condition that can cause bad breath, swollen and inflamed gums, tooth loosening, bone loss within the jaw, and severe infection that can spread throughout the body. Routine dental cleanings and preventative care between cleanings (brushing, dental chews, and dental diets) are an important part of giving your pet the best care possible.
