Making Exotic Pet Dental Care a Top Priority
Exotic pets require consistent, appropriate dental care for their species in order to maintain their quality of life. While there are different dental care approaches for each species, the reasons are the same for all: a healthy mouth makes for a healthy pet. Our avian and exotic animal hospital in Grapevine offers pets comprehensive exotic pet dental care services for every species.
Our Advanced Dental Services
Rabbits, rodents, and reptiles need vastly different care than traditional carnivores, and dental care services for them can be scarce and ineffective. Luckily, we’re here to fill the gap. Our veterinarians are trained in advanced exotic pet dental care and perform many complex procedures.
Common dental procedures we perform include:- Dental cleaning
- Dental exams
- Skull and dental x-ray and CT interpretation
- Beak trims for birds
- Tooth filing for rabbits and rodents
- Dental extractions
- Advanced dental surgeries and care
- Treatment of oral and dental abscesses
Different Care for Different Species
Each of the above procedures isn’t done the same for every species—different pets will require different dental care techniques. For instance, did you know that your bearded dragon as well as your ferret both require routine brushing, and even professional dental cleanings?
Here are some things to expect regarding dental care for different species:Rabbits & Rodents:
Rabbits and rodents have continually growing teeth that can be perfectly ground down with a proper diet. However, problems can still develop and become quite complex. Few veterinarians have the equipment or expertise to perform dental procedures on rabbits or rodents. One of the most common presentations of dental disease is chronic/recurrent episodes of GI stasis. Many rabbits are treated for the symptoms of GI stasis with medication that help them feel better transiently but are missing the root cause of the illness. If your rabbit has two or more episodes of GI stasis without a definitive cause having been identified, it is highly recommended that you schedule an oral evaluation with us!
Other Small Mammals:
Primates, coatis, kinkajous and other small mammals that primarily eat fruits and vegetation are especially prone to periodontal disease if their diets are too “soft” meaning too high in sugars and starches. Fibrous foods can counteract this, along with professional care from us!
Reptiles:
Poor diet and lack of UV exposure can cause metabolic bone disease, which inherently affects your pet’s teeth. With proper nutrition, plenty of UV rays, and of course preventive care (like regular visits to us!), your pet will be healthy from nose to tail.
Contact us to learn more about specific exotic pet dental care needs.
Symptoms of Dental Problems
The largest problem with dental disease, especially in rabbits, is that they mask their clinical signs until the disease is very advanced. This is why routine oral examinations are imperative to a healthy pet!
Many health issues can be secondary to dental issues, which makes oral care of prime importance for your pet. If you notice any of the following in your pet, it could be a sign of dental disease or other dental conditions:
- Excessive saliva
- Reduced eating or not eating at all
- Difficulty chewing/food falling from mouth
- Grinding teeth
- Episodes of GI stasis (in rabbits and guinea pigs)
Preventive Dental Care
As always, prevention is key to a long and healthy life. Preventive dental care for many exotic species specifically involves their diet. Pets with continuously growing teeth such as rabbits and rodents require a diet rich in fiber to help wear teeth down naturally. Reptiles require proper nutrition as well as optimal husbandry.
Not sure what your pet’s unique dental care needs are? We’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!