Dental health is one of the most overlooked areas of pet care.

It is difficult to get most pets to say "ahhhh", so dental problems often go unnoticed until they become serious. Many animals suffer in silence with painful teeth and gums, because they are very good at hiding their discomfort.

Why Dental Care Matters

Dental disease is one of the most common conditions we see at Croi na Mara Vets. By the age of three, most dogs and cats have some degree of dental disease. Left untreated, it does not just affect the mouth. Bacteria from infected teeth and gums can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, kidneys, and liver.

Signs of dental disease include bad breath, difficulty eating, drooling, pawing at the mouth, swollen or bleeding gums, and loose or discoloured teeth. However, many pets show no obvious signs at all, which is why regular dental checks are so important.

Our Dental Expertise

At Croi na Mara Vets in Briarhill and Oranmore, dental care is something we are particularly passionate about. Our team has specialist training in veterinary dentistry, including dental x- rays that let us see what is happening beneath the gumline. This is important because a lot of dental disease is hidden below the surface and cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Professional dental treatment is performed under general anaesthesia. This allows us to do a thorough examination, clean all surfaces of the teeth (including below the gumline), and treat or extract any problem teeth. We use gas anaesthesia with continuous monitoring to keep your pet safe throughout.

If your pet has bad breath, is struggling to eat, or you have noticed any changes around their mouth, please contact our Galway vet team. Early treatment makes a real difference.