05/15/2025
Meet Nosey — A Very Special Boy with Very Special Needs!
Nosey recently fractured his premolar (tooth 208) and needed to have it extracted. Because of his unique facial structure, he required extra-special care, and we were proud to provide it. Thanks to our AAHA Accreditation, we can deliver the highest-level, tailored care that pets like Nosey need and deserve.
What Does AAHA Accreditation Mean?
Simply put: higher standards, better care.
AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) Accreditation impacts every aspect of our operations—from patient safety to advanced procedures. Today, we want to highlight how that makes a difference in dental surgery procedures, such as cleaning, prophylaxis, digital radiography, and extractions.
Before we begin any dental procedures, we take several necessary steps to ensure each pet’s safety and comfort:
What Goes into a Safe & Thorough Dental Procedure?
🩸 Bloodwork
Before any sedation or surgery, we run a full bloodwork panel on the same day. This helps us detect any hidden health issues and ensure your pet is safe to proceed—and will wake up safely afterward!
💓 ECG (Electrocardiogram)
We always perform an ECG to detect severe arrhythmia. Thanks to this step, we discovered that Nosey has a harmless grade II heart murmur with normal sinus— something we could then consider when planning his care.
📝 Custom Plan of Care
Using the bloodwork and ECG results, we design a personalized plan for each patient. There is no one-size-fits-all here—your pet gets exactly what it needs.
💉 IV Catheter and IV Fluid
An IV catheter is placed to administer sedation and — if necessary — emergency medications. IV fluid was ordered by our veterinarian and given to keep your pet well hydrated with steady blood pressure. It’s a safety measure we never skip!
🩻 Oral Digital Radiographs (X-Rays)
Once cleared for sedation, we take dental digital X-rays before and after the procedure. This allows us to identify issues below the gumline and ensure no root fragments are left behind.
👂 Continuous Monitoring
While your pet is sedated, a trained veterinary technician is always by their side, monitoring heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and body temperature (checked every 5 minutes). A body warming system called a "Bair Hugger" helps regulate temperature.
🌬️ Oxygen Support
Your pet receives oxygen through a new, sterilized endotracheal tube. This tube is discarded after your pet uses it for added safety and comfort throughout the procedure.
🧼 Dental Cleaning
While one team member monitors your pet, another thoroughly cleans the teeth with the state-of-the-art ultrasonic scaler. A clean mouth helps prevent post-procedure infections caused by bacteria.
💉 Local Anesthesia & Extraction
Before extraction, a nerve blocker is injected to ensure your pet feels no pain, even while asleep. The damaged tooth is removed with a diamond burr, and the surgical site is closed with dissolvable stitches to enhance extraction sites healing.
✨ Polishing
After extraction, your pet’s remaining teeth are polished using pet-safe toothpaste, leaving their smile clean and bright. (and their breath is fresh)
☀️ Recovery (“Wakey Wakey” Time!)
Once the procedure is complete, we gently wake your pet and remove the breathing tube. When your pet can walk steadily and hold up its head, it’s ready to head home!
🏠 Home Care & Healing
You’ll receive pain medication, antibiotics, and detailed aftercare instructions to help your pet recover comfortably at home.
Because of our AAHA Accreditation and dedicated team, we could give Nosey the exceptional care he needed — and he’s now well on his way to feeling better! 🐾💙
Have questions about dental care or AAHA standards? We’re always here to help!
