Vet Tech Program observes Pet Dental Health Month

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Vet Tech student Eva West performs a routine dental cleaning on Jane, a coonhound from the Humane Society. Submitted photo

February 28, 2013

Vet Tech Program observes Pet Dental Health Month

Staff report CNHI The Times Enterprise Thu Feb 28, 2013, 11:26 AM EST

THOMASVILLE — Southwest Georgia Technical College’s (SWGTC) Veterinary Technology (Vet Tech) Program spent February recognizing National Pet Dental Health Month, and last week by performing routine dental cleanings on cats and dogs from the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society, with whom the program works with on a regular basis.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), an animal’s bad breath and odor can signify a serious health risk, with the potential to damage not only the pet's teeth and gums but its internal organs as well. To address the significance of oral health care for pets, the AVMA and several veterinary groups sponsor National Pet Dental Health Month in February. Veterinarian technicians (vet techs) are becoming more responsible for dental health prevention in their positions today, and are now trained in dental cleaning (scaling and polishing of teeth), dental radiology and uncomplicated dental extractions.

“More and more pet owners are becoming great ‘pet parents’ by becoming more pet health conscience. However, dental health issues are still one of the most commonly diagnosed and least addressed pet health issues. Animals in the wild do not consume processed foods, but our pets do and with the consumption of processed foods they suffer many of the same dental ailments as their owners. Pets are often diagnosed with gingivitis, cavities, and tartar. Poor dental hygiene can also lead to cardiac, liver and kidney disease. There are also several breeds that suffer from a much higher incidence of dental disease,” Dr. Franklin “Bo” Curles, DVM, Veterinary Technology Program director.

Curles explained that there are several things that pet owners can do at home to help maintain good dental health. Such things include brushing your pet’s teeth, feeding your pets foods and treats that promote dental health and examining your pets for signs of dental problems. Some symptoms to look for that would insinuate poor dental health are bad breath, a reluctance to eat hard foods or chew on treats, pawing or rubbing of the face and abnormalities of the mouth such as red, swollen gums, discolored teeth, and dental tartar. Pet owners should also have regular dental examination and treatments by their veterinary professionals.

The Veterinary Technology Program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for careers in the field of veterinary technology. General education, basic science and program-specific learning opportunities develop the knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The curriculum is delivered in accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities accreditation guidelines. Program graduates receive the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology and are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination. They are also qualified to apply for credentials as a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of Georgia.

For more information on adopting O’Malley, Jane, or any other animals please contact the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society at 229-228-0613.

SWGTC offers more than 80 certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Many of these programs provide training for some of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields including Nursing, Automotive Technology, Clinical Laboratory Technology, and Emergency Medical Technology. More information may be obtained by calling 229-225-4096 or by logging onto www.southwestgatech.edu.

Southwest Georgia Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.

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