Care of your Pet following Dentistry

Each pet will go home with an individualized Home Care Instruction sheet after his/her dental procedure. The following general information would be applicable to all pets undergoing a dental cleaning at Laurelhurst:

Anesthetic procedures can cause nausea and/or stomach upset. Due to this concern we recommend that you offer your pet a small amount of food and water at home. Offer the water in small, frequent amounts. If there is no vomiting or stomach upset, you may offer your pet a little more water 1 hour later. Then you may feed about ½ the normal amount of food for a meal. Again, offer this slowly to your pet.

Please note:

  • Mild coughing may occur for up to 2-3 days after the procedure. If it persists longer, please contact the hospital.
  • Many patients may not have a bowel movement for 24-36 hours after anesthesia. This is normal. But if you are concerned, please contact the hospital.
  • A decrease in activity or appetite for 1-2 days may be observed in some pets.
  • However, if your pet exhibits any of the following, please notify the hospital:
    • Loss of appetite for more than 2 days
    • Refusal to drink water for more than 1 day
    • Weakness, depression, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Artificial tear ointment will be placed in your pet’s eyes, to keep them lubricated during anesthesia, so there may be a bit of drainage around them. This is normal.
  • If extractions have been performed, your pet’s gums will be sore for 3-5 days.
  • Please feed soft food for up to 5 days after the procedure. Many pets do not show signs of discomfort after extractions, however.
    • As the extraction procedure is an oral surgery absorbable sutures (or a wire) may be placed to maximize healing.
    • Your pet will need a recheck appointment for removal and to check the healing process.

A dental home care option is OraVet. OraVet provides a barrier sealant that helps to protect teeth and gums from plaque and calculus buildup due to bacteria. Laurelhurst applies this product to your pet’s teeth after a dental cleaning at the hospital. You can continue this process with an OraVet home care kit. These weekly applications help maintain the protective barrier your veterinarian has established, and takes less than 60 seconds.

  • Quick and easy to apply – no special technique required
  • Gel is odorless, tasteless and invisible once applied
  • You can use OraVet and still give your pet treats, chews and usual food
  • OraVet is also compatible with tooth brushing

And remember …Brush your pet’s teeth at home! The best way to keep your pet’s teeth clean and bright is to brush them regularly. For many people, this process sounds horribly tedious and time-consuming, but the pay-off for your pet is huge! We will send home a free dental home care kit at your pet’s discharge appointment. This will help you continue the oral health care your pet needs.

We recommend enzymatic veterinary toothpaste to retard the formation of new tartar, gingivitis, and halitosis (bad breath). Only use toothpaste specifically approved for pets. The dental home care kit will have complete instructions on how to begin and maintain brushing your pet’s teeth at home.

Although brushing is still the gold standard for dental care, there are many ways to help keep the teeth clean in addition to brushing; such as tartar-reducing treats, toys and special foods. These can be alternated with the days of brushing. Feel free to ask for more information or advice on home dental care.