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It’s a great idea for some dogs – but it should take place in a vet’s office.

By Nancy Kerns

Most of us have seen signs or advertisements for “anesthesia-free teeth cleaning” for dogs and cats. To most people, this sounds like a good idea, especially if you have a really old dog, a dog with a heart condition, or any other dog you’d hesitate to put through general anesthesia.

The accretion of tartar on this dog’s front teeth is fairly minor, but all the teeth behind the canines are invisible under a thick layer of dental calculus. Given this dog’s gentle nature, anyone with a little training could scrape away most of the tartar. But only a veterinarian can provide the antibiotics needed to prevent a systemic infection that the teeth-cleaning procedure could cause.

The procedure can be a terrific service for some dogs, but only if rendered under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, if not by a veterinarian. Unfortunately, some vets don’t offer the service – often, because they don’t believe it’s necessary. This pretty much guarantees that some pet owners will seek out non-veterinary technicians who perform the procedure – illegally…

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