BALTIMORE, March 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fullerton Animal Hospital, a Baltimore emergency animal hospital, announced that the practice offers dental services as part of its pet care wellness program. The emergency vet hospital is educating pet owners about the importance of routine pet dental care for preventing long-term health problems and pet health emergencies. According to Baltimore emergency vet Dr. Bob Brown, annual dental cleanings help reduce the risk for periodontal disease, tooth loss and bacterial infections. Without preventative care, a bacterial infection could damage a pet's internal organs and lead to serious health complications.
The Baltimore emergency vet pet care team at Fullerton Animal Hospital is educating pet owners about the benefits of annual veterinary dental cleanings.
"Oral health care is just as important for pets as it is for humans," said Dr. Bob Brown, a veterinarian at Fullerton Animal Hospital. "The majority of pets three years or older suffer from periodontal disease, a painful condition characterized by swollen or bleeding gums. Without treatment, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and bacterial infections. Preventative care is the best way to reduce the risk for gum problems."
Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of the gum tissues. Over time, plaque deposits build up along the gum line. These deposits are comprised of food particles and bacteria. When these deposits harden, they form tartar. Tartar can become trapped at the base of the tooth, pushing away the gum line, which causes irritation and inflammation.
When pets suffer from periodontal disease, their gums appear infected, swollen and tender. Pets may experience pain when eating, drinking, or playing games like fetch.
"Periodontal disease can be incredibly painful for pets," said Dr. Brown. "Left untreated, bacterial infections are common. In severe cases, these infections may enter the blood stream, traveling to a pet's internal organs and causing health complications. Depending on the infection, a pet may even require care at an emergency animal hospital."
In order to reduce the risk for periodontal disease and bacterial infections, the veterinary care team at Fullerton Animal Hospital recommends regular dental cleanings. During a dental cleaning, the vet will scrape away plaque and tartar build up. In between cleanings, pet owners can help prevent plaque accumulation by regularly brushing their pet's teeth.
"Brushing a pet's teeth is never an easy task at first," said veterinarian Dr. Cary Labrenz. "Our veterinary team is happy to demonstrate proper technique for pet owners."
Dr. Labrenz stressed that proactive wellness care is essential to preventing future health complications such as tooth loss or infections.
Fullerton Animal Hospital offers pet dentistry services, including annual cleanings and tooth extractions. In addition to pet dental care, the emergency animal hospital also offers pet surgery, including spay/neuter operations, wellness exams, and pet vaccinations.
Pet owners may learn more about Baltimore pet care services at http://fullertonanimal.com.