Pet dental specialist David Clarke works on Dotti the Jack Russell’s teeth.By Cam Scott
HALLAM vet David Clarke really knows the tooth about cats and dogs.
He has operated on tigers, bears, jaguars, African wild dogs and even donkeys, but during August, which is national pet dental health month, his focus is on the household suburban pet.
Dr Clarke, who looks after the big cats in Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, is one of 12,000 vets nationwide offering free dental pet checks this month.
Dr Clarke, one of only two veterinary dental specialists in Australia, said that the free dental health checks being offered at the Hallam Veterinary Clinic on Belgrave Hallam Road were a good chance for owners to safeguard against further illness of their pets.
“People should check their dog’s and cat’s mouths for bad breath, inflamed gums and a buildup of tartar on the teeth,” he said.
“If they don’t, gums can get infected and bacteria can spread to other organs such as the heart and kidneys causing further sickness.”
Dr Clarke and the Hallam Veterinary Clinic are located at 55 BelgraveHallam Road, Hallam.
