Veterinary Dentistry for Cats and Dogs

Dental diseases in animals often develop without noticeable symptoms. Your pet may continue to eat and behave as usual even if it is experiencing pain, inflammation, or damage to its teeth.

The dentistry department at the "Zoolux" veterinary clinic provides diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the teeth, gums, jaws, and oral cavity in cats and dogs.

When should you see a veterinary dentist?

Schedule an appointment for your pet if you notice:

▫️bad breath;
▫️dental plaque or tartar;
▫️redness, swelling, or bleeding of the gums;
▫️excessive salivation;
▫️reluctance to eat solid food;
▫️chewing food on only one side;
▫️food falling out of the mouth while chewing;
▫️loose, broken, or damaged teeth;
▫️a change in tooth color;
▫️swelling or asymmetry of the muzzle;
▫️baby teeth that have not fallen out on time;
▫️changes in bite or misaligned teeth;
▫️growths or other changes in the oral cavity.

Preventive Examinations

▫️Oral health is maintained through daily at-home care and regular professional dental care.
▫️It is recommended to have your cat or dog’s mouth and teeth examined at least once a year, and once every six months for small-breed dogs. If the patient has already been diagnosed with dental disease, the veterinarian will determine the frequency of follow-up exams on a case-by-case basis.

Services Offered by the Zoolux Dental Department

Our doctors perform:

▫️dental examination and consultation;
▫️dental X-rays with a report on the findings;
▫️professional oral hygiene treatment according to the COHAT protocol;
▫️diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity;
▫️treatment and prevention of periodontal diseases;
▫️open and closed subgingival curettage;
▫️extraction of deciduous teeth;
▫️extraction of single- and multi-rooted teeth;
▫️surgical tooth extraction of any complexity;
▫️endodontic treatment of teeth;
▫️orthodontic treatment and bite correction in accordance with the requirements of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals;
▫️placement of dental crowns;
▫️diagnosis and treatment of pathological changes in the jaws and oral cavity.

The scope of diagnosis and treatment is determined on a case-by-case basis following the patient's examination.

What happens during a dental appointment?

During the initial visit, the doctor:

▫️Gathers information about the patient’s health status, previous treatment, diet, at-home oral care, and chewing habits.
▫️Conducts a general examination of the patient.
▫️Assesses the condition of the teeth, gums, bite, and oral cavity.
▫️Determines the need for additional diagnostics.
▫️Develops a preliminary treatment plan.
▫️Provides recommendations for oral hygiene at home.

During an examination without anesthesia, it is impossible to fully assess the condition of the tooth roots, bone tissue, and areas beneath the gums. Therefore, the final scope of treatment can be determined only after a dental X-ray and a complete examination of the oral cavity under anesthesia.

What is COHAT?

The gold standard for professional dental care at Zoolux is COHAT—Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment, which is a comprehensive assessment and treatment of the oral cavity.

The procedure includes a comprehensive examination of the condition of the teeth, gums, and underlying tissues, professional cleaning, and any necessary treatment.

The initial dental examination is performed without anesthesia. The full COHAT procedure is performed under general anesthesia, as this allows for the safe administration of dental X-rays, examination of each tooth, cleaning of areas beneath the gums, protection of the airways, and minimization of pain and stress for the patient.

14 Steps for Conducting COHAT at Zoolux

1. Medical History The dentist gathers information about the patient’s health, previous treatment, at-home oral care, diet, and chewing habits.

2. Examination without anesthesia A general physical examination is performed, along with an initial assessment of the teeth, gums, bite, and oral cavity.

3. Pre-anesthesia Evaluation The list of required tests is determined based on the patient’s age, health status, comorbidities, and anesthetic risks.

4. Anesthesia and Pain Management Planning The anesthesia team develops an individualized plan for anesthesia and pain management. For patients with chronic pain, the doctor may prescribe pain medication in advance or recommend additional preparation at the clinic.

5. Induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation Intubation helps protect the airways from fluid, dental debris, and other particles during the procedure.

6. Anesthesia Monitoring During the procedure, respiration, heart rate and ECG, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and body temperature are monitored.

7. Continuous monitoring by the team Throughout the entire procedure, the patient's condition is monitored by the dentist and the anesthesia team.

8. Complete Oral Examination Under Anesthesia The dentist examines each tooth, performs dental X-rays, and conducts periodontal probing to detect periodontal pockets, root damage, bone tissue abnormalities, and other hidden pathologies.

9. Professional Teeth Cleaning This procedure involves the removal of dental deposits above and below the gum line, cleaning of accessible root surfaces, and polishing of the enamel. Additional periodontal treatment is performed as indicated.

10. Developing a Final Treatment Plan Based on the results of the examination and dental X-rays, the dentist determines what additional procedures the patient needs.

11. Intraoral nerve blocks If painful dental procedures are scheduled, local nerve blocks are administered to provide additional pain control during and after the procedure.

12. Treatment When indicated, tooth extractions, periodontal surgery, or other necessary dental procedures are performed.

13. Completion of the Procedure and Recovery The patient’s mouth is rinsed, after which the patient is transferred to the recovery area under the supervision of the medical team. The patient’s family is contacted by phone and informed of the estimated time of discharge.

14. Discharge and Recommendations The owner receives personalized recommendations regarding postoperative care, feeding, medication administration, oral hygiene at home, and the next scheduled checkup.

How to Prepare Your Pet for the Procedure

▫️Before the procedure, the doctor determines the necessary tests. These may include blood tests, echocardiography, and other tests, depending on the patient’s age, health status, and anesthetic risk.

▫️The duration of the fasting period depends on the animal’s age, weight, and specific needs. Follow the recommendations you receive at the time of your appointment. There is no need to restrict access to water unless your veterinarian has provided other specific recommendations. Guidelines for Fasting Before Anesthesia

▫️It’s a good idea to bring your pet’s usual food so that you can feed them once they wake up and their condition has stabilized.

▫️Do not stop taking or change your regimen for long-term medications without consulting your doctor.

Recovery After the Procedure

After the procedure is complete, the patient remains under the team’s supervision until they wake up and their condition stabilizes. You may pick up your pet after receiving notification from the veterinarian.

Upon discharge, the owner receives the results of the diagnostic tests and personalized recommendations regarding feeding, home care, medication, and the next follow-up visit.

Where do Zoolux veterinary dentists see patients?

Appointments are available by prior appointment at the following clinics:

▫️Kyiv, 39 Dmytrivska St.;
▫️Kyiv, 42B Revutskoho St.;
▫️Brovary, 51 Metalurhiv St. — select dental services are available.

When you make an appointment, the call center will help you choose a clinic and a doctor, and will confirm whether the necessary procedure can be performed at the branch you’ve selected.

Cost of Dental Services

An estimated cost of treatment can be determined after a consultation. The final amount depends on the necessary diagnostic tests, the number and complexity of procedures, anesthesia, and the patient’s weight and condition.

Is it possible to undergo oral rehabilitation without anesthesia?  - The initial dental examination is performed without anesthesia. Professional cleaning and the COHAT procedure are performed under general anesthesia. This allows the dentist to examine each tooth, take dental X-rays, safely clean areas beneath the gums, protect the airways, and avoid pain and stress for the patient.

What is included in the cost of a professional teeth cleaning? -  The listed price includes professional cleaning of teeth to remove plaque and tartar. Mandatory enamel polishing after the procedure and anesthesia are billed separately. The cost of anesthesia depends on the patient’s level of anesthetic risk. Tooth extractions and other additional diagnostic or therapeutic procedures are not included in the cost of the procedure.

Why can’t the final cost of treatment always be determined in advance? - During a routine examination, it is impossible to fully assess the condition of the tooth roots, bone tissue, and areas beneath the gums. Additional dental issues may be identified after a dental X-ray and a comprehensive oral examination under anesthesia. That is why it is impossible to provide an exact treatment cost over the phone. The call center can provide an estimate of the cost of a consultation and individual services based on the price list. A preliminary treatment cost is determined after the consultation, and the final amount depends on the diagnostic results, as well as the number and complexity of the necessary procedures.

Why get a dental X-ray? - A dental X-ray allows for an assessment of the condition of the tooth roots and bone tissue, as well as the detection of hidden damage, inflammatory processes, and other pathologies that cannot be seen during a routine examination.

How can you prepare your pet for a dental procedure? - The list of pre-anesthesia examinations and the duration of the fasting period are determined on an individual basis depending on the patient’s age, weight, and health status. Do not discontinue any regular medications without consulting your veterinarian. Detailed recommendations are provided in the guide on fasting before anesthesia.

How often should you take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental checkup? - Preventive checkups are recommended at least once a year, and for small-breed dogs, once every six months. If dental problems are present, the veterinarian will create a personalized schedule for follow-up visits.

Can neutering be combined with a professional dental cleaning? - No. Neutering and a professional dental cleaning are two separate procedures, so at Zoolux, they are not performed on the same day. This is due to safety and aseptic requirements: the procedures are performed in different surgical rooms with different sterilization protocols, which minimizes the risk of infectious complications. In addition, both procedures require general anesthesia, and performing them together significantly increases the duration of anesthesia, which raises anesthetic risks for the patient. Therefore, a separate date must be scheduled for each procedure.

When can I take my pet home? - After the procedure, the patient remains under the care of the team until they wake up and their condition stabilizes. The veterinarian will notify the owner when the pet is ready to be discharged.

Why can’t I schedule my pet for dental treatment right away without a prior consultation with a veterinarian?  - Oral rehabilitation is performed under general anesthesia, so before the procedure, a dentist must examine the patient, confirm the indications, and determine the necessary scope of preparation.

During the consultation, the following may be identified:

▫️severe inflammation or another acute condition requiring prior treatment;
▫️diseases of the teeth and gums for which a single restoration is insufficient;
▫️neoplasms, ulcers, or other changes requiring additional diagnostic testing;
▫️comorbidities that increase anesthesia-related risks;
▫️the need for blood tests, echocardiography, or consultation with another specialist;
▫️the need for pre-anesthesia or additional medication preparation;
▫️the likely need for tooth extraction or other dental procedures.

In some cases, it is necessary to first treat the patient or stabilize their condition before planning a dental procedure. Based on the results of the consultation, the dentist determines the date, preparation requirements, estimated duration, and preliminary scope of the procedure.

Is it necessary to treat the oral cavity after dental surgery? - The need for and method of treatment depend on the procedures performed. You should not use antiseptics, gels, or other products on your own without a dentist’s recommendation.

Upon discharge, the doctor provides personalized recommendations and explains:

▫️Is oral care necessary, and how should it be performed?
▫️What medications should be used?
▫️How long should you feed your pet soft food?
▫️When can you resume brushing your pet’s teeth?;
▫️When should you come in for a follow-up visit?

If you have had a tooth extraction or other surgical procedure, do not brush your teeth in the area where the procedure was performed until the tissues have healed and your doctor gives you permission.