However, dogs with more severe dental disease are often placed on antibiotics several days before the dental cleaning and then for a week or so after. Dogs with more severe dental disease have many more oral bacteria . Their gums also bleed much more easily since they are inflamed. The bleeding gums and increased numbers of bacteria can be a deadly combination.
Bacteria entering the blood stream can build up on heart valves and in the kidneys and liver .
The resulting infections can be extremely serious, often irreversible, and sometimes fatal. Your veterinarian placed your dog on antibiotics to reduce the chance of these infections occurring. For more information on dental care and diseases in dogs see Dental Care and Disease. Inc. All rights reserved.