AAHA Dental Care Guidelines to Help Increase Quality of Life for Dogs and Cats

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 08 Sep 2005 - 17:00 PDT

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Would you let years go by between visits to your dentist? Probably not! Your pet's dental health is just as important to his or her overall health as your dental health is to your general health. To help veterinarians and their teams provide excellent dental care for dogs and cats and educate pet owners about the importance of proper dental care throughout their pets' lives, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has developed the AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.

"By the age of three, nearly 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease," says Dr. Daniel S. Aja, DVM, AAHA president. "And dental disease can lead to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease, which makes it all the more important that you provide your pets with proper dental care from the start."

The guidelines were designed to provide veterinarians and their teams with a working framework for small animal dentistry practice, including dental examinations and cleaning and surgical procedures. Since dental health changes as pets age, the guidelines outline common dental conditions by life stage. Pet owner education regarding treatment options for optimum dental health, as well as the importance of home care, is emphasized throughout the guidelines.

"Pets can live longer, healthier lives if oral health care is managed and maintained throughout their lives," says Dr. Aja. "These guidelines are a concise, useful resource to help veterinary practice teams provide excellent dental care for dogs and cats."

The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats were developed by a task force of six veterinary care providers that included veterinary dental specialists. For more information on the guidelines, which were sponsored by a generous educational grant from Merial Limited, visit http://www.healthypet.com.

The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization of more than 34,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. Established in 1933, the association is well known among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet health care. For pet care information or a referral to an AAHA hospital, pet owners can visit the AAHA website at http://www.healthypet.com.

American Animal Hospital Association
http://www.healthypet.com

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