Protecting Your Pet: Holistic dental care

Denise Conley, Bodie's owner
"It was pretty obvious because his breath wasn't the freshest smelling."

But putting any dog, especially older ones, under anesthesia for a dental cleaning always runs a risk.

Denise Conley, Bodie's owner
"Because of his age, he's an older dog, and because he has a slight heart murmur we weren't sure if it was a good idea."

Dali Shafer, Houndstooth Non-Anesthetic Pet Dental Cleaning
"You can have brain damage, heart damage respiratory problems, there are a lot of risks."

Bodie's owner decided to try out a less aggressive treatment and turned to holistic dental care. Certified vet tech, Dali Shafer, says she can clean an animal's teeth in about thirty minutes--without ever putting them under anesthesia.

Dali Shafer, Houndstooth Non-Anesthetic Pet Dental Cleaning
"Instead of a chemical anesthetic, we act as the anesthetic by keeping the dogs calm."

These holistic hygienists say they cannot treat pets with severe periodontal disease, or do extractions, so they recommend an oral exam first to see if the pet is a good candidate.

Dali Shafer, Houndstooth Non-Anesthetic Pet Dental Cleaning
"He's got the perfect teeth for this."

For Bodie its all systems go. Now it's time to calm him before the cleaning.

Dali Shafer, Houndstooth Non-Anesthetic Pet Dental Cleaning
"Mostly it just has to do with letting the animal know that they're safe and they can trust us."

The next step is removing tartar and plaque using handheld instruments.

Dali Shafer, Houndstooth Non-Anesthetic Pet Dental Cleaning
"It's very similar to what your hygienist does for you, we use the same equipment, ours has been customized for a smaller use."

Then ultrasonic machines clean under Bodie's gum line, in-between his teeth, and on the surfaces. The last step is to make his teeth shine with a polishing compound and an antibacterial spray.

Before, Bodie's teeth were dingy and dirty. Now, he's got a gorgeous grin.

The cost of a dental cleaning without anesthesia ranges from $150 to $250. Dogs with behavior problems aren't good candidates.

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