Periodontal disease, often referred to as gum disease, is one of the most common health problems affecting cats and dogs, especially as they age. It is a progressive infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth, caused primarily by the accumulation of plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—which hardens into tartar.

The disease progresses through stages:

1. Gingivitis: The mildest stage, characterized by red, swollen, and easily bleeding gums. This stage is often reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care.
2. Early Periodontitis: The infection spreads below the gum line, causing the gum to detach from the tooth (forming pockets). Bone loss begins.
3. Moderate Periodontitis: Significant gum recession and bone loss occur. The infection is deeper, and the teeth may become noticeably loose and painful.
4. Advanced Periodontitis: Extensive bone loss, severe infection, and high risk of abscesses, fistulae (openings between the oral cavity and nasal cavity or skin), and complete tooth loss.

As previously noted, the bacteria from this chronic infection can enter the bloodstream, potentially impacting vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver, leading to serious systemic health issues.

The Complexity of Dental Extractions

When dental disease progresses to the point where the tooth’s support structure is compromised, or the tooth is fractured or severely infected, extraction (oral surgery) becomes necessary. We want to assure you that while extractions are a surgical procedure, our clinic performs them with the highest standard of care to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort. ALL animals should receive pain relief when having oral surgery.

Oral surgery at our clinic is highly managed and includes specialized pain relief protocols:

Procedure Component	Description	Benefit for Your Pet
Local Anesthetic Blocks	Injections of long-acting local anesthetic are administered precisely around the affected nerves before the extraction begins.	Immediate and powerful pain relief that lasts well into the recovery period, minimizing general anesthetic depth needed.
Constant Rate Infusion (CRI) Pain Relief	A continuous, carefully titrated intravenous drip of powerful pain medications administered throughout the procedure.	Maintains stable, multi-modal pain control during surgery and provides a smooth, comfortable emergence from anesthesia.
Post-Extraction Dental X-rays	Radiographs are taken after the tooth has been removed.	Confirms that the entire tooth root, and any fragments, have been successfully removed, which is crucial for preventing chronic pain and infection.
Advanced Surgical Techniques	We utilize specialized surgical equipment and techniques, often involving creating surgical flaps and bone contouring, to ensure efficient, clean extractions with minimal trauma.	Promotes faster healing and reduces post-operative complications.

It is important to know that not all veterinary practices perform extractions using this comprehensive level of pain management and post-operative imaging. Our commitment to local blocks, CRI pain relief, and post-extraction X-rays ensures your pet receives the highest standard of care for what is a significant oral surgical procedure.

Certain breeds, particularly Sighthounds (such as Greyhounds, Whippets, and Italian Greyhounds), exhibit a higher prevalence of prothrombolytic disorders, often manifesting as excessive bleeding or bruising following trauma, surgery, or procedures like dental cleaning. 

We manage these cases with extreme care when performing dental procedures to mitigate bleeding risks. This condition is characterized by an imbalance in the body’s clotting and clot-breakdown mechanisms, where the latter (fibrinolysis) is often overly active. In these sensitive breeds, prophylactic and therapeutic management often involves meticulous control of the coagulation cascade, with drugs like Tranexamic acid playing a key role in stabilizing clots during the preoperative and operative  period to mitigate the risk of severe hemorrhage.