We are so glad you asked! With the exception of the type of cases we have scheduled each day, the day’s routine is similar throughout the week. One of our favorite times of the day is when we receive our procedure patients in the morning for a veterinary dental procedure for dogs and cats.
In a typical day, we receive 3-4 patients for procedures. We get to receive our adorable friends into the practice and find them a comfortable place to wait for their procedures. While we do make sure each patient is confined away from any other pet friends for their safety, we also ensure each one has comfortable bedding and some snuggle time when they arrive.
We make an effort to provide some additional love and attention to help them feel more at home.
Consultation Appointments and Rechecks
While half of our technicians are settling in our procedure patients, the other half start to receive our patients for consults and rechecks. Our consult appointments give clients time to consult with the doctor about their pet’s condition and ask any questions they might have about treatment options.
Each client is given a detailed treatment plan and has an opportunity to review it and ask any additional questions they might have.
Our surgical recheck appointments are especially rewarding. Almost all of our clients report that their pets (especially those who have been treated for periodontal disease or tooth root abscesses) seem to have a new lease on life and a boost of energy now that their mouth is healthier and more comfortable. People often report that their older dog is acting like a puppy again!
For the few that are still in the middle of their treatment plan, we are able to offer guidance for any changes or additional treatment that is recommended.
Preparing Pets for a Veterinary Dental Procedure
Back in the treatment area, our procedure patients are being prepared for surgery. Because all of our procedure patients will be placed under general anesthesia, every one of them gets a full physical exam from our doctor.
We always encourage owners to get bloodwork from their veterinarian before the procedure. If bloodwork has not been sent from the referring veterinarian, blood will also be drawn to screen for issues with organ function and blood cell counts.
Once the physical exam and bloodwork are completed, this information, along with a complete history on the patient, is sent to our Board Certified Anesthesiologist, who develops a customized plan for the management of anxiety and pain as well as anesthesia for that patient. For especially anxious patients, that protocol will include some mild sedation to help them relax for the placement of their IV catheter.
Anesthesia and Imaging During a Veterinary Dental Procedure for Dogs and Cats
Once we have received our protocols from our Anesthesiologist and all patients are ready to go, we get started with our procedures. We determine the order for the procedures based on the time expected for each procedure, the distance the owners need to travel home, and any pre-existing conditions the pet may have.
Each pet is focused on one at a time by the doctor and two technicians, as well as our anesthesiologist, who monitors all vital signs remotely.
Anesthesia is induced with IV medications, and a tube is placed in the airway to allow oxygen and anesthetic gas to be provided, as well as to protect from any fluid or debris that is produced during a procedure in the mouth.
After the patient is comfortably asleep, we start with a Cone Beam CT to assess all of the bony and tooth structures in the skull.
Treatment and Dental Radiographs
Once this detailed imaging is complete, the doctor evaluates the images and determines a final treatment plan for that individual patient’s condition.
The treatment plan is performed along with any dental radiographs that are necessary pre and post-operatively.
Recovery and Monitoring After Surgery
After the procedure is completed, the Registered Veterinary Technician who is monitoring anesthesia, along with the guidance of the Anesthesiologist, will accompany the patient to the recovery area.
Depending on the size of the patient, we will either recover them in our CASCO recovery kennels or in a floor bed designed for the larger of our patients. Some of our smaller patients that need a bit of extra attention are recovered in a snuggly sling attached to one of our technicians.
The Veterinary Technician will stay with the patient until they are fully recovered. Once the patient has recovered, the owner is notified of the treatment performed and given a time they can come back to reunite with their pet.
Returning Home With a Healthier Smile
Depending on the nature of the veterinary dental procedure for dogs and cats and if the pet requires any additional pain management after surgery, most patients are ready to go home in a couple of hours.
Another thing we enjoy is letting our clients see the images we captured of the skull and teeth of their pets. Many of our clients love to take pictures or videos of the Cone Beam CT images. We are also able to load the images onto a flash drive to take home or share with another specialist or family veterinarian.
The hardest (and best) thing is letting our patients go at the end of the day. It is hard to let them go because we enjoy the time we get to spend with them. It is great because we get to see them go home with the people they love best with a healthier mouth.
If your pet may need a veterinary dental procedure for dogs and cats, contact Veterinary Dental Specialists of Missouri today to schedule a consultation and discuss the best treatment options for your pet’s oral health and comfort.
Image by Joanna Reichert from Pixabay used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 05/14/2026