Veterinarians Raise Concerns About Anesthesia-Free Dentistry for Pets

Should pets have general anesthesia for teeth cleaning? It is raising concerns among veterinarians and pet owners. There are potential risks either way if general anesthesia is used or not used.

Key takeaways:

• Just as human beings need to brush their teeth, dogs and cats require regular teeth cleaning.
• Keeping the pet awake during the teeth cleaning procedure has potential for risks for severe injuries to the gums and tongue caused by dental equipment.
• For the animal, the procedure is scary and may lead to high stress levels making them anxious and restless.
• The American Veterinary Medical Association recently stated dental cleanings for pets should be done under anesthesia, but some veterinarians said, for certain pets who can’t handle anesthesia, cleaning without it might be the only option.

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