Is It Safe for Senior Pets to Have Dental Surgery?
- Content Writer
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Dental surgery can sound daunting - especially if your pet is older. Many owners worry that age alone makes anaesthesia too risky. But the reality is that age isn’t a disease, and many senior pets tolerate dental procedures very well when properly assessed and supported.
In fact, untreated dental disease can pose far more serious health risks than the procedure itself. Here’s how vets decide whether surgery is safe for older pets and what steps are taken to keep them comfortable and protected.
Contents
Why Dental Care Is Still Important in Senior Pets
Dental disease doesn’t go away with age — in fact, it often gets worse over time. Ignoring it because a pet is “too old” can lead to chronic pain, infection, and damage to the kidneys, liver, and heart.
Older pets may not show obvious signs of mouth pain, but that doesn’t mean they’re not suffering. Removing infected teeth or cleaning heavy tartar under anaesthetic can dramatically improve their comfort, appetite, and even behaviour.
Common Dental Problems in Older Pets
By the time pets reach their senior years, they may have been living with dental issues for quite a while. These problems are usually progressive, and without treatment, they can cause significant suffering.
Common issues include:
Periodontal disease: Infection and inflammation of the gums and supporting tooth structures
Tooth root abscesses: Painful infections beneath the gumline
Broken or loose teeth: Often caused by decay or trauma
Resorptive lesions (cats): Painful tooth loss with erosive lesions that can affect all parts of the tooth.
Stomatitis: Severe inflammation in the mouth, especially in cats
Dental x-rays, performed under general anaesthesia, are often the only way to fully diagnose and treat these conditions.
What Makes Surgery ‘Risky’ in Seniors?
Age itself doesn’t disqualify a pet from surgery — but it does increase the likelihood of underlying conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, or liver problems, which could affect how they handle anaesthesia.
That’s why vets look beyond the number of birthdays and focus on overall health status. A healthy 13-year-old dog may be a better surgical candidate than a younger pet with untreated illness.
Factors that may affect risk include:
Pre-existing organ disease
Poor body condition (underweight or obese)
Dehydration or electrolyte imbalances
Advanced dental infection or systemic inflammation
Behavioural stress levels
With proper screening and monitoring, most senior pets can undergo anaesthesia safely — and benefit greatly from the outcome.
How Vets Assess Anaesthetic Safety
Before recommending surgery, your vet will carry out a thorough pre-anaesthetic assessment to understand your pet’s health status and tailor the anaesthetic plan accordingly.
This typically includes:
Blood tests: To check kidney, liver, and red/white blood cell levels
Urinalysis: Provides additional insight into organ function
Chest X-rays (if needed): To check heart size and lung health
Heart screening (if needed): Especially in pets with known murmurs or risk factors
Physical exam: To assess hydration, body condition, and dental severity
If any concerns are found, the procedure may be delayed while underlying issues are treated or stabilised.
What Precautions Are Taken for Senior Patients?
Dental procedures are done under general anaesthesia to allow full mouth evaluation, x-rays, and thorough cleaning or extractions. In senior pets, additional steps are offered to maximise safety.
These include:
Tailored anaesthetic protocols based on your pet’s age and health
Intravenous fluids to support blood pressure and kidney function
Pain relief before and after the procedure
Continuous monitoring of oxygen levels, heart rate, and blood pressure
Temperature management to prevent hypothermia
Shorter, focused procedures when necessary to reduce anaesthetic time
With these safeguards in place, most senior pets recover smoothly and often show noticeable improvement in appetite, energy, and overall wellbeing afterwards.
When to Contact Us
If your older pet has bad breath, difficulty eating, visible tartar, or simply hasn’t had a dental check in a while, don’t wait. Leaving dental disease untreated can lead to far greater risk and discomfort than a well-managed anaesthetic.
📞 Call us on 020 8459 4729 or book an appointment online for a dental assessment. We’ll talk you through the process, assess risk, and support you in making the best decision for your pet.
We believe preventing disease is a far better way of helping your pet stay fit, comfortable, happy and healthy. So we’ve created the Vital Pets Club to make sure every pet owner has easy access to the best pet care at an affordable price.
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