5 Dental Emergencies in Pets
If you’ve ever known the agony of a toothache, you know how critical it was to receive emergency treatment and pain relief. While your furry pal may not complain like people do when they are in pain, they also can suffer from pet dental emergencies. If you notice any of the following oral problems in your pet, seek immediate veterinary care.
#1: Your pet is drooling excessively
A slice of pizza or a hunk of steak may cause your pet to drool more than normal, but excessive salivation can be a sign of a serious issue. Pets who drool excessively may be suffering from a painful oral condition, or they may have ingested a toxic substance. Whatever the cause, your pet needs urgent care so the problem can be determined and treated.
#2: Your pet is unable to use their mouth correctly
The inability to open or close the mouth correctly has several causes that all require immediate attention. Joint, bone, and muscular issues can interfere with the mouth’s correct function, and certain diseases, like tetanus, also can make it difficult for pets to eat and drink. Being unable to use their mouth properly can be painful for your pet as well, so ensure they receive emergency care.
#3: Your pet has a displaced tooth
When gnawing on a hard object, like a bone or antler, your pet may fracture or displace a tooth, damaging the ligament holding it in position. Dog fights, vehicular accidents, and other traumatic events also can cause teeth to shift in painful ways that need immediate treatment.
#4: Your pet has an object stuck in their mouth
Pets who chew on sticks are more likely to have an oral foreign body like a wood fragment get stuck in their mouth than pets who don’t. Other problems occur when pets who chew on hollow bones get the bone stuck over their jaw and pets playing fetch get a ball stuck in their throat. Lodged items need immediate removal to prevent a tragic outcome.
#5: Your pet is bleeding from the mouth
While the mouth is a vascular place because of the large number of blood vessels inside, bleeding that does not stop is abnormal and needs to be treated promptly.
Are you unsure if your pet’s dental issue requires emergency treatment? Give our team a call to discuss their problem.