VET Q&A
Healthy Mouths, Happy Pets We wouldn’t go years without having our teeth checked out (hopefully), and neither should your pets. Ensuring their mouths stay healthy can have a positive effect on more than simply their teeth, as we find out from Dr. Jackie Burks of Pet Vet Express. Q: Why is a pet’s dental health important? A: It is important for pets to have healthy mouths with fresh breath and healthy gums so that they can keep all of their teeth. But even more important is how gum disease affects their overall health. Pets that have severe dental disease can have heart disease, liver disease, and kidney disease. Pets that have healthy mouths stay healthier and live longer.
Q: What are signs that your dog or cat may be having dental issues? A: One of the most common signs is bad breath. Bad breath is not normal for dogs and cats. It is always a sign of some degree of dental disease. Other signs can be pain when chewing or reluctance to eat. Severe dental disease can lead to abscessed teeth with swelling on the face or jaw.
Q: What types of dental services does your practice often? A: We always offer free dental exams. If your pet has bad breath or other signs of dental disease, we will do a
The Veterinarian Dr. Jackie Burks is the primary vet at Pet Vet Express, which has locations in Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills. Pet Vet Express is a full-service veterinary hospital providing preventative care, medical care for illness, surgery, and dental care. They also provide bathing and grooming services. Dr. Burks has been in practice for 39 years and is a graduate of the Mississippi State University of Veterinary Medicine. His primary areas of interest are surgery, dentistry, and dermatology.
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