Pet Dental Care in Lafayette, LA

Vet Med Animal Hospital provides professional dental care for dogs and cats in Lafayette, LA, including cleanings, tartar and plaque removal, extractions, periodontal care, and oral surgery. Our team is equipped to handle everything from routine cleanings to complex oral procedures in-house.

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Why Your Pet’s Dental Health Matters

Dental disease is one of the most common—and most overlooked—health conditions in dogs and cats, often resulting in periodontal disease and internal organ issues by the age of three.

At Vet Med Animal Hospital, we take a proactive approach to oral health, combining thorough professional cleanings with client education to keep your pet’s mouth healthy between visits. Dental care at our Lafayette clinic begins with a full oral examination under anesthesia, allowing our team to assess every tooth and the surrounding tissue in detail. From there, we perform professional scaling to remove tartar and plaque buildup above and below the gumline, followed by polishing to smooth teeth and slow buildup.

For pre-anesthetic evaluation, we typically pair dental visits with our Pet Diagnostics & Imaging bloodwork panel. You may also wish to review our Pet Soft Tissue Surgery procedures to learn more.

Dental Services We Provide

Our dental services cover the full range of oral care needs for dogs and cats—from routine maintenance to more involved surgical treatment. All procedures are performed under anesthesia for your pet’s safety and comfort.

Cleanings & Prevention

Professional scaling, tartar and plaque removal, and polishing to maintain healthy teeth and gums year-round.

Extractions & Oral Surgery

Surgical tooth extractions, periodontal treatment, and oral procedures performed in-house by Dr. Tate.

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What to Expect at Your Pet’s Dental Appointment

From pre-anesthetic prep to post-procedure care, here’s what the process looks like

Before your pet’s dental procedure, our team will review their health history and may recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork to ensure they’re a safe candidate for anesthesia. On the day of the appointment, your pet will be placed under general anesthesia so our team can perform a complete oral exam, clean all tooth surfaces, and address any issues found. Most pets go home the same day. Our team will provide aftercare instructions and, if extractions were performed, guidance on a soft diet and any prescribed medications through our in-house pharmacy.

Same-Day Procedures

When extractions or additional oral care are needed, we perform them during the same anesthetic event to minimize stress and recovery time.

Sevoflurane Anesthesia

We use sevoflurane for all dental procedures—an anesthetic known for rapid induction, precise control, and smooth recovery in dogs and cats.

FAQs About Pet Dental Care

Here are answers to what Lafayette pet owners most commonly ask about veterinary dentistry and oral care.

How do I know if my dog or cat needs dental cleaning?

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Common signs that your pet may be due for a dental cleaning include bad breath, yellow or brown buildup on the teeth, red or swollen gums, difficulty chewing, drooling, or pawing at the mouth. In many cases, however, dental disease progresses without obvious symptoms—which is why our team at Vet Med Animal Hospital includes an oral exam as part of every routine wellness visit. If it's been more than a year since your pet's last dental cleaning, or if you've never had one done, it's worth scheduling an evaluation.

Is anesthesia necessary for a pet dental cleaning?

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Yes. A thorough dental cleaning requires your pet to be under general anesthesia. This allows our team to safely scale below the gumline—where most significant disease occurs—take dental radiographs if needed, and perform any necessary extractions without causing pain or distress. Anesthesia-free dental cleanings are not recommended by veterinary dental professionals because they only address surface buildup and don't allow for a complete evaluation. At Vet Med Animal Hospital, we use sevoflurane anesthesia and monitor all patients closely throughout the procedure for safety.

What is periodontal disease in pets, and how is it treated?

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Periodontal disease is an infection of the structures supporting the teeth—including the gums, ligaments, and bone. It begins as gingivitis, which is reversible with a professional cleaning, and can progress to irreversible bone loss and tooth loosening if untreated. Treatment depends on the stage of disease and may include deep scaling, root planing, tooth extraction, or other oral surgical procedures. Our team will assess the extent of your pet's periodontal disease during their dental exam and discuss treatment options with you before moving forward.

How often should my pet have a dental cleaning?

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Most dogs and cats benefit from a professional dental cleaning once a year, though some pets—particularly small breed dogs and cats prone to tartar buildup—may need more frequent care. Our team will give you a personalized recommendation based on your pet's oral health at each wellness visit. Between professional cleanings, at-home dental care, such as tooth brushing, can help slow plaque accumulation and extend the time between procedures.

What happens if my pet needs a tooth extracted during their cleaning?

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If our team identifies a tooth that needs to be extracted during your pet's dental procedure, we will contact you before proceeding whenever circumstances allow—as noted in our dental consent form. In most cases, necessary extractions are performed during the same anesthetic event to avoid scheduling a second procedure. After extraction, most pets recover quickly and return to normal eating within a few days. Our team will send you home with detailed aftercare instructions and any prescribed medications.