What is involved in a dental cleaning at Hillside Animal Hospital?
The first step in the dental cleaning is the awake oral examination. During this time the veterinarian will explain what sort of disease may be present based on visual findings. We make every effort to try to estimate accurately based on this exam, and go over that with you prior to the procedure. Sometimes after your pet is anesthetized disease is detected we did not plan for, but we make all attempts to inform you of the findings while your pet is under anesthesia. Your pet is then admitted to the hospital for a pre-anesthetic blood test and sedative. Sometimes we’ve already done the blood testing prior to the day of the procedure. Once the sedative is administered, intravenous access with a catheter is established. This access allows administration of intravenous anesthetic mediation so an airway tube can be placed. Maintenance anesthetic gas is delivered to the lungs via this tube, which also acts to protect the airway from oral debris, and delivers oxygen to your pet. A trained ve
