Frequently Asked Questions

At Animal Dental Specialists, we only recommend those surgical procedures that are in the best interest of your pet. Each procedure varies from pet to pet and condition to condition. Typically, a physical examination, review of the patient’s medical history, and blood work are recommended for each pet that may have to be subjected to sedation or anesthesia. We will use this information to screen your pet for potential issues before beginning any procedure to help ensure the safety of your pet.

Although there will always be a minimal amount of risk associated with anesthetizing your pet, we take every precaution available to ensure that those risks are minimized, including most of the same fail-safe measures that your physician would provide if you were placed under anesthesia. We also monitor vital signs throughout all stages of surgery and recovery.

Rest assured that Dr. Gaddis and the entire staff at Animal Dental Specialists will take all necessary precautions to keep your pet safe and healthy throughout any procedure done within our office. We provide dental services to veterinarians and pet owners in the Birmingham area as well as Huntsville, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa.

If your pet is recommended to have a dental procedure, it is most likely due to the risk of infection if left untreated. Tooth extractions are done only if needed, and cleanings should be done as a preventative. Animal Dental Specialists provides dental services to veterinarians and pet owners in Pelham, Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

For after-hours emergencies, we recommend and refer our patients to Steel City Emergency Vets in Hoover, Alabama. You may reach them at 205-413-8989.

Recent research in veterinary science indicates that pets classified as mammals experience pain the same way that we do. Our pets typically try to hide the fact that they have pain. At Animal Dental Specialists, we offer pain management for pets in the Greater Birmingham area who may be experiencing pain due to dental conditions.

Behavioral changes are the principal indicator of pain. If you notice abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth, pawing at the face or mouth, swelling of the face, reduced appetite or refusal to eat, these could be indications of pain in or around the mouth. If you suspect your pet may be experiencing pain in or around the mouth, please call about an evaluation and treatment options.

In order to provide the best quality care in the area, Animal Dental Specialists requires payment at time of service. We accept cash, credit cards, checks, and Care Credit. Care Credit is a financing company that works with you to cover medical expenses with low monthly payments.