22/05/2026
PTP: This is Rocket Catcoon, 12yo MN DSH. My first pet as an adult. My trash panda. Rocket kitty man.
He was from a group of kittens my coworker was fostering when I was a young kennel assistant. Every shift when I arrived I would check on him and his 5 siblings, but he would plow through them to floss on my nose everytime. I was his and he was mine.
Today he had his first Dentistry. Pre‑anesthetic labs, PVPs, survey rads - teeth and whole body, IV fluids, monitoring (even ETCO2!), warming, scale and polish. No extractions. ✨️ His Vet and my coworkers took amazing care of my old man, and I feel grateful to be apart of a team that provides excellent care. He floated home in kitty magic bliss.
🦷🦷🦷🦷🦷🦷
Let's talk about a rooted connection. Oral health isn’t about only teeth, it’s whole‑body health, especially for cats. They’re obligate carnivores, and over a lifetime their kidneys work hard enough that kidney disease becomes a common final chapter. The heart and kidneys are closely connected, and dental disease can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, adding strain to both systems.
The priority is prevention. Educate clients that daily brushing is still the AVDC gold standard. Plaque begins to mineralize within 24–48 hours, and once it calcifies into tartar, it stays until physically removed. (And I’ll be honest, I’m no saint at brushing my own pets’ teeth either.) When brushing isn’t realistic, VOHC‑approved products can help bridge the gap.
That brings us to the second pillar of dental care: Professional cleanings under anesthesia. This is the only way to remove established tartar and address disease below the gumline.
Our best tool to prevent and treat advancing dental disease.
I've felt the pushback from pet parents when discussing these recommendations, and have gained some perspective. Owners aren’t avoiding dentals because they don’t care, don’t recognize the importance, or because they’re out here hunting for non‑anesthetic shortcuts. Most of the time, they’re holding onto this fear that limited access to care somehow reflects on them as a pet owner. The barrier to access is the deepest pocket we uncover, and so often it is financial. Even in Vet Med. Even for us.
Rocket finally got his first dentistry at 12 years old. This was the first year I could afford to give him the care he needed, and I work in this field. When your vet says, “I wish I had another procedure tomorrow,” the bloodwork was done, and you have almost the exact amount saved, that’s the moment. It’s time.
And it’s okay if it couldn’t happen sooner.
I showed up when I could. I acted when the window opened. That’s responsible pet ownership, and it’s enough.
I’m proud of Rocket. I’m proud of myself. And I’m proud of every pet parent doing their best with what they have.
Rocket is a special guy, and our relationship is what sparked my passion for behavior medicine. We'll dive more into that journey in another post. 🗑🐼
