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We recognize the importance of healthy teeth and gums to the well-being of your pet.
Our state-of-the-art dental suite is used by our veterinarians to provide your pet with comprehensive dental care for dogs and cats. A variety of procedures can be performed such as cleaning and polishing teeth, oral surgery, and routine periodontal procedures. Below you will find information about procedure and cost. |
COHAT: Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment Plan
(aka Dental Cleaning or “Dental”)
Maintaining the health of your pet’s teeth is one of the most important things you can do to increase the comfort and length of your pet’s life! Up to 85% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 have some degree of dental disease. Our goal is to help you prevent it from getting to the point where extensive oral surgery and extractions are required. Unfortunately, many of the pets we see already have severely diseased mouths that require more advanced, and costly procedures. An Oral Health Assessment is necessary to uncover and help prevent periodontal disease. In accordance with AVMA guidelines, each step is performed under general anesthesia:
Why does my pet have dental disease? Pets acquire dental disease from not brushing (this needs to be done every day!) and not having the teeth professionally cleaned. We brush our teeth every day and see a dentist regularly to prevent dental disease and the same steps are needed in pets. Some breeds of dogs are especially prone to dental disease (ask us if your pet is one of them).
When should my pet have a COHAT/dental cleaning? If there is visible tartar on the teeth, then you should schedule a dental appointment for your pet. Brushing the teeth when tartar is present does not help the pet and in fact is often painful. Additionally, there is often disease present we cannot see on the surface or covered up by the tartar.
Is my pet “too old” for this? Pets are never too old to have pain and infection treated. Most clients state a major change in pet’s behavior after dental disease is appropriately treated.
My pet still eats fine but the teeth are bad….is he/she in pain? Animals have a strong natural instinct to hide pain. By the time they quit eating, the pain is more severe than the will to survive and eat. Normal eating is not a reliable indicator of pain. Ask your veterinarian to evaluate the mouth of your pet and demonstrate the pain and infection that is present.
- Assessment includes a complete oral exam of mouth and throat, charting of any problems noted for each tooth, measuring each tooth for periodontal pockets, and full mouth radiographs to assess the 50% of the tooth below the gumline. (Did you know? 70% of oral disease occurs below the gumline – where we cannot see it!). We have invested in digital radiology equipment, anesthetic monitoring equipment and a high-speed dental equipment to ensure your pet gets the best care we can offer.
- Cleaning consists of removing all tartar with an ultrasonic and hand scaler as well as the application of fluoride along with polishing.
- Prevention once the teeth have been cleaned, our team will help you decide what is best for your pet’s oral health maintenance at home. This may include brushing or special diets.
- Treatment is based on the oral exam, dental charting, and x-rays. We will then assess whether your pet needs additional treatment such as surgical extractions. If additional treatments are needed, we will provide a separate estimate. In this case, you have two options:
- The doctor will promptly call you with the recommended procedures and provide an updated cost. These can be performed with verbal consent. In this case, you must be readily accessible by phone the day of you pet’s procedure. We do not want to unnecessarily prolong the time your pet is under anesthesia.
- You may give us permission in advance to perform whatever procedures are needed. No further verbal or written consent is required.
Why does my pet have dental disease? Pets acquire dental disease from not brushing (this needs to be done every day!) and not having the teeth professionally cleaned. We brush our teeth every day and see a dentist regularly to prevent dental disease and the same steps are needed in pets. Some breeds of dogs are especially prone to dental disease (ask us if your pet is one of them).
When should my pet have a COHAT/dental cleaning? If there is visible tartar on the teeth, then you should schedule a dental appointment for your pet. Brushing the teeth when tartar is present does not help the pet and in fact is often painful. Additionally, there is often disease present we cannot see on the surface or covered up by the tartar.
Is my pet “too old” for this? Pets are never too old to have pain and infection treated. Most clients state a major change in pet’s behavior after dental disease is appropriately treated.
My pet still eats fine but the teeth are bad….is he/she in pain? Animals have a strong natural instinct to hide pain. By the time they quit eating, the pain is more severe than the will to survive and eat. Normal eating is not a reliable indicator of pain. Ask your veterinarian to evaluate the mouth of your pet and demonstrate the pain and infection that is present.
Animal Clinic of Chardon COHAT Estimate*
(Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment)
Thank you for entrusting the care of your pet to Animal Clinic of Chardon. Our goal is to return your pet’s mouth to a healthy condition so they can live without pain and infection (or stinky
breath!).
Below is an expected cost for you pet to have a COHAT performed on his or her mouth:
breath!).
Below is an expected cost for you pet to have a COHAT performed on his or her mouth:
Note: this estimate does not include: any oral surgery, medications, e-collars, food, or other post-operative needs, pre-anesthetic lab work that is required within 8 weeks (senior patients) and 12 weeks (non-senior patients) of the scheduled procedure.
Additional Treatment/Oral Surgery: Every effort is made to salvage teeth; removing unhealthy teeth that cannot be saved is best for the health of your pet. Should your pet require additional treatments, a detailed estimate will be provided at the time of the COHAT. Here is an approximate breakdown:
Additional Treatment/Oral Surgery: Every effort is made to salvage teeth; removing unhealthy teeth that cannot be saved is best for the health of your pet. Should your pet require additional treatments, a detailed estimate will be provided at the time of the COHAT. Here is an approximate breakdown:
Minimizing the risk of anesthesia: In the event your pet requires extensive oral surgery, we may elect to separate the procedure into two stages. This is done to minimize the risks associated with prolonged anesthesia and to ensure that 100% of the care your pet’s mouth requires is completed. After completing the first stage, your pet would ideally return to ACOC in 2-3 weeks for the second stage. To encourage you to choose the safest approach for your pet, the anesthetic induction fee is waved for the second stage so that no financial penalty is associated with dividing the procedure.
If you have any additional questions about dentistry at ACOC or the recommendations made for your pet, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us: (440)285-9191 or [email protected]
If you have any additional questions about dentistry at ACOC or the recommendations made for your pet, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us: (440)285-9191 or [email protected]
