FOREVER PET DENTAL CO-FOUNDER Dr. Jacqueline Myers treats one of her patients during a routine cleaning. Myers recommends dogs and cats have their teeth cleaned annually to prevent disease.
FOREVER PET DENTAL offers full dental care as well as other preventive care options to keep pets happy and healthy.
Pets are known for eating just about anything aside from what’s in their food dish, be it something they find inside or outside of the house. While humans are encouraged to brush their teeth 2-3 times per day to maintain good dental health, dogs and cats also require regular dental cleanings to stay healthy.
According to recent statistics, dental disease affects up to 80 percent of dogs and cats with plaque and tartar buildup leading to tooth loss, gum damage and even bacterial infections, which can affect a pets vital organs.
However, the average cost of veterinary dental cleanings in Clark County is approximately $250-300, and in Portland the cost is even higher, making it hard on owners who operate on tight budgets.
Vancouver’s Forever Pet Dental is hoping to change that by offering affordable dental health care for pets. Opened in March by Dr. Jacqueline Myers and her husband and assistant, Clayton Myers, their goal is to focus on offering quality pet care at a more affordable cost.
“Our aim is to raise awareness of the importance of pet dental health and health care,” said Dr. Myers. “The need for tooth extraction can be significantly reduced with even routine, effective care.”
Forever Pet Dental’s basic dental package includes x-rays and gas anesthesia for $169. Unlike clinics that offer care without sedating the animal, Myers said it benefits both the pet and the clinician.
“When you try to work around the mouth of a dog or cat, they can get skittish and anxious,” said Myers. “Since we’re using tools around their teeth and gums, having them sedated minimizes the chances they can cut their mouth or tongue, which leads to more potential problems.”
They also provide referrals back to a pet’s regular veterinarian for other pet health issues, thereby allowing owners to maintain a relationship with their pet’s primary vet.
Myers noted that early signs of potential dental disease include bad breath, discolored teeth and gums, visible tartar buildup, drooling and dropping food from the mouth rather than eating it.
As it progresses, other symptoms like bleeding from the mouth, swelling in the face, loss of weight and appetite and a pet not wanting their mouth touched may occur.
“Something I hear from clients all the time is they didn’t see any real sign that their pet was hurting or having any problems because, by their nature, animals are very good at hiding their ailments,” said Myers. “It can be very common to misread symptoms, which is why routine care can be a benefit.”
Myers said that besides getting regular dental cleanings, owners can help their pets maintain a healthy mouth through brushing their teeth daily with pet-friendly toothpaste, using dental products and treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council and providing a diet designed to prevent and remove tartar build-up.
“I know not every pet is a fan of having their teeth brushed every day or so, so finding other means to help preserve teeth is always a good idea,” said Myers. “What’s important is to look for treats and products with a Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval on them, as those are products which have been both tested and verified to work for pets. Not everything out there has that seal.”
Along with dental work, Forever Pet Dental also offers ear cleaning and hair removal, clipping matted hair, bloodwork, de-worming, mass removal and lab analysis and other preventive care measures.
“We’re not trying to replace the everyday veterinarian, but rather be a place people can bring their pets every year and have their annual checkup handled along with cleaning their teeth,” said Myers.
Forever Pet Dental is located at 18809 SE 25th St. in Vancouver and are available by appointment only at this time. To schedule an appointment, call (360) 859-3790 or email info@foreverpetdental.com.
More information about Forever Pet Dental and their services can be found at their website, www.foreverpetdental.com, and a list of VOHC approved products can be found at www.vohc.org/accepted_products.htm.
