Do You Know What a COHAT is?

Dentistry is an important part of animal health care. Maintaining a healthy mouth prevents dental problems such as bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. Taking care of your pet’s teeth should be an important part of their overall health care plan.

Here are some common questions and comments our animal care team receives from clients regarding their animal’s mouths and their concerns of having a COHAT performed:

1. “What is a COHAT?” A COHAT is a Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment. The dental cleaning is just one part of this service. By thoroughly evaluating the oral cavity under anesthesia, tooth integrity can be assessed, and any problem teeth can be extracted at that time.

2. “It’s so expensive.” Yes, dental procedures are expensive. Animals will not hold their mouths open like we do at the dentist. To ensure the procedure is safe, we must anesthetize the animals and secure an airway for the procedure. A dental procedure performed without general anesthesia is only a light cleaning. Dental disease below the gumline is not being addressed, and this is the main problem area for tooth decay. Assessing a tooth as being structurally sound on an awake animal is a disservice.



3. “I prefer non-anesthetic dental cleanings.” Under California law, non-anesthetic dental cleanings are only allowed to be performed under the direct supervision of veterinarians. Establishments that offer this service without a veterinarian overseeing the procedure are only allowed to brush the pet’s teeth. Scaling and polishing go hand-in-hand. Scaling the teeth without polishing will leave micro-fissures in the teeth that will accelerate plaque build-up. Non-anesthetic dental cleanings do not allow an assessment of dental disease below the gumline. Too often, I have seen teeth that are beautifully white with inflamed gums. The tooth may be rotten, but by cleaning just the crown, owners are given a false sense of security regarding their animals’ teeth.



4. “Extractions? How will my animal eat?” Guaranteed, they will eat better once the painful teeth have been extracted. Have you ever had a bad tooth? Do you chew with that tooth? Dental pain HURTS. Animals are not putting bite pressure on diseased teeth. Animals feel much better once the diseased teeth have been extracted.

5. “Animals in the wild don’t get dental care and they do fine.” Actually, no they don’t. Animals in the wild suffer dental disease as well. Domesticated animals are fortunate to have owners that love them and make decisions to help keep them happy and comfortable.

By taking care of your pet’s oral health through regular veterinary dental care, you can ensure that they have a happy and healthy life. Taking the time to get your pet the care they need can save you money in the long run and help prevent costly dental problems in the future.

Boarding at Alameda Pet Hospital

Alameda Pet Hospital offers boarding for happy healthy dogs and cats. Our amazing kennel team loves and cares for your pets while you take time away to rest and relax. We also offer day-boarding. Our large, fenced backyard and one-on-one time with our caring team means your pet is getting tons of attention during their stay with us

Boarding pets must be established clients of Alameda Pet Hospital, and they must be current on their examination and vaccinations for boarding. Our staff will also perform a temperament test on new boarders or boarders who haven’t stayed with us for over one year. This is for their well-being, as we want to be sure they eat and drink properly during their stay and aren’t at risk of any self-harm due to stress. Extended stays and pets with ailments may be declined, as our boarding outfit focuses on healthy pets that are good boarding candidates.

Our team really gets to know your pet, and we do have our veterinary team available, should any surprise ailments or concerns surface during their stay.

Feel free to reach out to us for more information!

Our entire staff at Alameda Pet Hospital is proud to announce that we have passed our AAHA accreditation! Our hospital has been accredited for the past 19 years!

AAHA Accreditation for Veterinary Practices

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation is a prestigious designation that certifies veterinary practices for meeting high standards of excellence. This accreditation is awarded to veterinary hospitals that successfully demonstrate adherence to over 900 standards, encompassing all aspects of veterinary practice.

The Benefits of Choosing an AAHA-Accredited Veterinary Hospital

1. Superior Care. Accredited hospitals are evaluated on stringent standards covering patient care, pain management, surgery, pharmacy, laboratory, exam facilities, medical records, and cleanliness.

2. Veterinary Team Excellence. The accreditation process encourages veterinary teams to adhere to best practices, engage in continuous learning, and remain updated on the latest advancements in veterinary medicine.

3. Trust and Assurance. Pet owners can feel confident knowing their pets are receiving care from a hospital that has been thoroughly vetted by an independent, third-party organization.

4. Comprehensive Services. Many AAHA-accredited hospitals offer a wide range of services under one roof, providing convenience and continuity of care for pet owners. For services not provided within the boundaries of our hospital, we are able to provide our clients top-notch recommendations for specialty services at other local practices.

How to Find an AAHA-Accredited Veterinary Hospital

If you need to find an AAHA-accredited hospital near you, visit the AAHA website’s “Hospital Locator” tool. Simply enter your location to access a list of nearby accredited facilities. When visiting a hospital that is AAHA-accredited, look for the AAHA logo. Veterinary hospitals that have successfully passed the accreditation process are very happy to display this placard within the building and on their website.

When you choose AAHA accreditation, you choose peace of mind for both you and your furry family members.

Appointments

Our lobby is now open for anyone not experiencing respiratory symptoms. If you or your pet are coughing, sneezing, have nasal discharge, or other cold, flu, or COVID-like symptoms, please call or text us at 510-523-1626 (option 1 if calling) to let us know you are here for your appointment and we will assist you curbside. Be sure to include your first name, last name, and your pet’s name. Everyone else is welcome to come inside and we will be with you as soon as we can.

Exams & Non-Urgent Questions

To schedule a non-urgent appointment, please text us to request an appointment. IF YOUR PET IS HAVING AN URGENT MEDICAL ISSUE, PLEASE CALL US AND CHOOSE OPTION 2 FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.

We require 24-hour notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment to ensure we are able to provide care for as many patients as possible. If less than 24 hours is provided, there may be a late cancellation/no-show fee, even if we reschedule the appointment. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

New clients are required to pay a deposit for the first exam for each pet. If less than 24-hour notice is given to cancel or reschedule the first visit, the deposit will be waived. If more than 24-hour notice is received, the deposit will be applied to the first exam.

Prescription Refills

Prescription food and medication refills may be called in or texted to 510-523-1626 (option 3 if calling). Please allow at least 2 business days to process refills. If the medication or food is a special order, we will let you know when it is available for pick up. If the prescription is from another pharmacy, including online, please let us know and allow a week to process since we need to get doctor approval. We appreciate your patience.

Coronavirus Information

For the very latest information on COVID-19, you can check these sites:

CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
WHO – World Health Organization
WSAVA – World Small Animal Veterinary Association