No. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Your pet feels absolutely no pain during the cleaning.

After the procedure, we provide pain medication for 3-5 days post-operatively to ensure their comfort. Most pets return to their normal activities within 24-48 hours.

Yes. We use modern, safe anesthetic protocols. Every patient receives:

• Complete pre-anesthetic blood work
• Anesthesia tailored to their weight, age, and health condition
• Continuous monitoring throughout the procedure (heart rate, oxygen, temperature)
• Intravenous fluid therapy for stabilization
• Qualified staff present at all times

The anesthetic risk is extremely low for animals in good general health.

Non-anesthetic dental cleaning has several major problems:

• Impossible to clean below the gum line (where 60% of the problems are)
• Significant stress for the animal
• Risk of injury if the animal moves
• Cannot perform dental X-rays
• Disease continues to progress beneath the surface

Complete dental cleaning under anesthesia remains the only safe and effective method recommended by veterinary associations.

The duration varies depending on the complexity of the case:

• Simple cleaning: 45-60 minutes
• With extractions: 1.5-2 hours
• Recovery and observation period: 2-3 hours

Your pet can usually go home the same day, in the late afternoon.

Frequency depends on several factors:

• Pets with good dental health: Every 1-2 years
• Predisposed breeds (small breeds, brachycephalic breeds): Generally annually
• Pets with a history of dental disease: Every 6-12 months
• With regular home brushing: Less frequently

During the annual exam, we'll assess your pet's specific needs.

In most cases, yes. Senior pets often benefit even more from dental cleaning because:

• Dental disease tends to worsen with age
• Eliminating infection protects vital organs (heart, kidneys, liver)
• Relief from chronic pain improves their quality of life
• It can improve their appetite and energy levels

We adapt anesthetic protocols based on your pet's age and health condition. Pre-operative blood work allows us to assess risks and adjust our approach accordingly.

If you're seeing signs of dental disease (tartar, bad breath, red gums), we recommend not delaying. Here's why:

• Dental disease progresses rapidly
• The longer you wait, the more complex the procedure becomes
• Your pet may be suffering silently during this time
• Health risks increase over time

We recommend taking action as soon as you notice signs of dental problems.

Let's compare apples to apples. Understanding the value behind the bill.

Most of us are used to showing our health card at the doctor's office and never seeing a bill. Plus, in human dentistry, a cleaning is done while you're awake in a chair.

For animals, dentistry is a major surgical procedure. To provide your pet with the same level of safety and care as a human would receive, we must coordinate the equivalent of several specialists in a single procedure.

Here's what's actually included in our treatment plan:

For a personalized treatment plan adapted to your pet, call us at 514-223-1197.

Standard payment terms:

• 50% of the estimated amount is required before the anesthetic procedure
• The balance is payable when your pet goes home

We accept the following payment methods: cash, debit, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express).

Note: If the final cost differs significantly from the initial estimate (for example, if additional extractions are necessary), we will contact you during the procedure to obtain your authorization before proceeding.

Coverage depends on your insurance policy:

• Preventive care: Rarely covered by insurance
• Dental disease treatment: Often partially covered (once the disease is diagnosed)

We recommend checking directly with your insurer for details about your coverage. We provide all necessary documents (itemized invoices, veterinary notes) to facilitate your claims.

Regular brushing is the best prevention method. It allows you to:

• Extend the time between professional cleanings
• Reduce long-term dental care costs
• Prevent pain and associated diseases
• Improve your pet's overall health and longevity

Daily brushing is ideal, but a minimum of 3-4 times per week already provides significant benefits. We'll provide you with a complete guide and show you how to do it effectively.

It's normal for pets to resist at first. Here's a progressive approach that works:

1. Week 1: Get them used to it by simply touching their lips and teeth with your finger. Reward generously.
2. Week 2: Introduce pet toothpaste on your finger (the taste is pleasant for them).
3. Week 3: Use a rubber finger brush with gentle movements.
4. Week 4: Gradually transition to a pet toothbrush.

Patience and positivity are essential. Most pets adapt within 2-4 weeks. We can demonstrate the techniques during your visit.

While no method is as effective as brushing, some complementary options can help:

• Specialized dental kibble (e.g., Hill's t/d, Royal Canin Dental)
• VOHC-approved dental treats
• Water additives
• Appropriate chew toys

Avoid: Cooked bones and antlers (too hard, risk of tooth fracture).

For best results, combine several prevention methods. We can advise you on the products best suited to your pet.

Ignoring dental disease can have serious consequences:

Short term (6-12 months):

• Daily chronic pain
• Difficulty eating
• Weight loss
• Oral infections

Medium term (1-3 years):

• Tooth loss
• Risk of jaw fracture
• Painful dental abscesses
• Bacteria in the bloodstream

Long term (3+ years):

• Increased risk of heart disease
• Kidney and liver problems
• Reduced life expectancy

Dental care is not optional - it's essential to your pet's overall health.

If teeth need to be extracted, it's because they're already too damaged to save. The tartar was holding them in place artificially.

Extracting diseased teeth allows us to:

• Eliminate a constant source of infection
• Relieve your pet's pain
• Prevent the spread of infection

Good news: Pets adapt very well to tooth loss. Many continue to eat normally even after extracting several teeth. Their quality of life generally improves significantly once the pain is eliminated.

Wait times vary depending on the time of year:

• Evaluation consultation: Generally 1-2 weeks
• Scheduled dental procedure: 2-4 weeks
• Urgent cases: We prioritize within 3-5 days

In February (Pet Dental Health Month), spots fill up more quickly. We recommend booking early to get the time slots that work for you.

Call us at 514-223-1197 to check current availability.

Yes, pre-anesthetic fasting is necessary:

• Food: Remove 12 hours before the procedure (midnight the night before)
• Water: Remove 2-3 hours before arriving at the clinic
• Regular medication: We'll tell you which medications to give or not give

A detailed instruction sheet will be given to you when you book your appointment.

Generally the same day, in the late afternoon:

• Drop off your pet: Morning (between 7am and 9am)
• Procedure: Mid-morning
• Pick up: Generally around 4pm-5pm

In some cases requiring extended observation, we may recommend keeping them overnight until the next morning.

We'll call you as soon as your pet is awake and ready to go home. You'll receive all post-operative instructions at pickup.

Every year in February, we emphasize the importance of dental health for companion animals.

During this month, we offer a preferred rate on complete dental exams booked before March 1st, 2026.

Services included in the complete dental exam:

• Consultation and detailed oral examination
• Pre-anesthetic blood work
• Professional scaling and polishing
• Dental X-rays
• Bag of dental food (included)
• Home brushing kit (included)
• Dental prevention guide (included)

This is the perfect time to take care of your companion's oral health.

Yes. As long as you book your appointment before March 1st, 2026, you'll benefit from the Pet Dental Health Month preferred rate, even if the procedure takes place in March or April.