TulsaPets Magazine November 2022

November / December 2022 • TulsaPets 15 Dental disease is more common in older animals, and some breeds are more prone than others to overcrowded or mis- aligned teeth, which can make it more difficult to keep them clean. Food and diet can also influence dental health. How To Promote Better Dental Health for Your Pet To promote good dental health for your animals, “Brush their teeth, use appro- priate dental chews, and be careful with bones,” Dr. Thomas advises. Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth with a pet-specific toothbrush and tooth- paste might seem odd if it’s not part of your routine, but it’s highly recommend- ed. Go slowly, making sure your animal is comfortable with your touching his mouth and teeth with your fingers before introducing a brush. Certain toys and treats are formulated to reduce bacteria in your pet’s mouth too. You can also talk to your vet about “dental diets,” specially formulated food made for reducing the amount of plaque and tartar that accumulates on the teeth. Dental Care Offered by Tulsa SPCA Dental services available at the Tulsa SPCA complement the organization’s existing pet health-care offerings, providing a great option for pet owners who seek affordable care or who live in an area of the state with few veterinary options. Services include low-cost dental cleanings, dental extractions, and dental X-rays. Many veterinarians recommend annual dental cleanings. Those proce- dures can be done under anesthesia so the vet can clean under the pet’s gums and in other hard-to-reach places. To make a dental appointment for your pet, first contact the SPCA to schedule a health exam at the preventive care clinic where the vet will assess your pet’s overall health and teeth. Animals older than six years require bloodwork prior to the anesthetic and dental clean- ing. That can be done at the health exam appointment, when service pricing will also be discussed. For more information on all the ser- vices available, visit www.tulsaspca.org. www.southernhillsvet.com 2242 E. 56th Place • Tulsa, OK 74105 • (918) 747-1311 Same Day Appointments Available The gift of wellness. Mention this ad for 25% off annual wellness exams in November/December. Small Animal Hospital Digital Radiology Surgery Complete Lab Work Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm • Sat 8am - Noon 6333 E. 120th Court, Ste G, Tulsa, OK 918-584-8535 Dr. Phil McKinney