The nine steps of a COHAT treatment

Step 1

Healthy oral and dental hygiene does not begin in the surgery but in the consultation room, where a thorough medical history and patient examination are performed. For this reason, we may need to call new clients for an initial examination appointment separately from the actual dental appointment.

Step 2

Unfortunately, our four-legged patients will not let us thoroughly examine and clean without anesthesia. Attempting to perform a COHAT on an awake patient only causes unnecessary stress and anxiety. In addition, painful oral diseases cannot be diagnosed and treated. We recommend a blood test beforehand to determine whether our patients are fit for anesthesia. We use this to examine the functionality of the organs (liver values, kidney values, sugar, blood proteins) as well as the number of white and red blood cells and platelets. This blood test is carried out either on the day of the procedure or at a prior appointment.

Step 3

Our patients are sedated before anesthesia. This measure massively reduces the stress level. An intravenous line is then inserted, which we use to induce anesthesia and administer intravenous fluids and other medication during and after anesthesia. Inhalation anesthesia is monitored using the latest technology. This includes tracking the heart rate via ECG, oxygen content in the blood, respiratory rate, CO2 level of inspiration and expiration, as well as blood pressure and body temperature.

Step 4

We now begin to record the findings in the mouth of the anesthetized patient. The first step is to take dental x-rays of all the teeth. Without dental x-rays, it is not possible to make a good and comprehensive diagnosis because, as already mentioned, many dental structures are not visible to the naked eye.

Step 5

After the dental x-rays have been taken, the intraoral examination follows. In addition to the tooth structure (tooth surface, periodontal pockets, mobility, color changes, etc.) and the gums (inflammation, swelling/hyperplasia, recession, etc.), we also examine the tongue, palate, tonsils, and larynx for abnormalities (swelling, ulcerations, oral masses, etc.). All findings are carefully documented and handed over to you when you collect your child.

Step 6

Now, the findings of the dental x-rays and the intraoral examination are carefully evaluated, and an individual treatment and therapy plan is drawn up. This takes some time. The owner is informed by telephone about the findings and the planned treatment plan. Any questions can then be clarified, and permission for the procedure is given. To make optimum use of the time while the treatment and therapy plan is being drawn up, the dental assistant carries out dental hygiene during this time. In the first step, the teeth are coated with a disinfectant gel. The teeth and gum pockets are then cleaned of plaque (bacterial plaque) and tartar (bacterial plaque mixed with minerals, saliva, and food residue) using an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments. After the teeth and pockets have been cleaned, the dental crowns are polished and sealed with a special paste.

Step 7

If the patient is stable under anesthesia, further treatments such as periodontal, extraction, or root canal treatments are carried out in the same session. Targeted local anesthesia minimizes the sensation of pain and makes it possible to keep the anesthesia as superficial as possible. In exceptional cases, treating your four-legged friend's dental problems in a single session may be impossible. If multiple dental diseases require time-consuming and multimodal treatment, the treatment is divided into two or sometimes three sessions.

Step 8

During recovery, your pet will be closely monitored and accompanied on our ward. Heat lamps are used to normalize the body temperature that has dropped during anesthesia, infusions ensure adequate circulatory support, and pulse oximeters monitor the heart rate and oxygen content of the blood. Patients usually stay with us until late afternoon after dental treatment to ensure they are stable and ready for discharge.

Step 9

On discharge, our veterinary practice assistants inform the pet owner about the treatment and next steps. If a follow-up appointment is necessary, this will be arranged. Pet owners are reminded of the next COHAT 11 months after a procedure by e-mail or post.