Since 2017, Zoey has visited us annually for routine dental cleaning and care. Recently, she needed a tooth extraction to ensure overall oral health. Here’s how we made sure Zoey was safe, comfortable, and stress-free throughout her procedure.
What Does Dental Surgery for Dogs Require?
At Pets In Stitches, we know surgical procedures can be nerve-wracking for pets and pet parents alike. That’s why we like to be proactive before they even reach the operating room: we keep cats and dogs in separate wards and use calming pheromones in the waiting areas. These small adjustments can make the vet experience less stressful for your pet, ensuring they enter surgery relaxed and ready for a successful procedure.
To prevent pain during the procedure, anesthesia is used to sedate the patient, and a local nerve pain block is injected near the tooth being extracted. This keeps nerves around the affected tooth from sending pain signals to the brain so the patient remains peacefully sedated.
Because sedation interferes with many of the body’s functions — like temperature control, breathing, and blood flow — our team closely monitors the patient’s vital signs throughout the surgery.
To make sure Zoey’s canine dental extraction went smoothly, we assigned a dedicated anesthetist to track her heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen levels, and much more. This step limits the likelihood of an adverse reaction and helps our team make sure the patient’s body is functioning well while sedated.
As you can see, we took extra care to keep Zoey warm during surgery — you can barely see her wrapped in a blanket for warmth! Once she was sedated, we cleaned her teeth to prevent the spread of bacteria and made a careful incision at the gumline of the affected tooth.
Like human teeth, dog teeth can have one, two, or three roots. For dental extractions in dogs, each root must be exposed so the tooth can be removed cleanly. Once we made the proper incisions, we were able to remove Zoey’s tooth without complications.
The gums are made of resilient tissue. Once a tooth has been removed, the gums will fill in the space where the tooth once was, preventing bacteria and loose food from gathering in the empty socket and causing an infection. To facilitate healing and prevent infection, we sutured the incision in Zoey’s gum line. Then she was ready to return home for some much-deserved rest.
Our Promise for Your Pet
Bringing your pet in for surgery can be stressful for you and them. At Pets In Stitches, we take every precaution to create a safe, welcoming environment for your pet. We’re also committed to clear communication with you before, during, and after the procedure. Whether your pet needs spaying or neutering, dental surgery, or just a routine check-up, we can help. Contact us today.
