Pets Smile Bright at Kindness Pet Hospital

Kindness Pet Hospital on Scenic 30A treats pets like they would want their own pets to be treated. Leading the charge for this best standard of care is Dr. Mary Connor. Born and raised in New Orleans, Dr. Connor graduated from LSU’s school of Veterinary Medicine in 2007.  In July of 2014, Dr. Connor purchased Kindness Pet Hospital and has quickly become a valued and respected member of the SoWal community.

In addition to performing regular physical exams, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering, Kindness offers comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment. They are eager to convey the importance of oral care and dentistry for pets’ health. Dr. Connor herself has a profound professional interest in veterinary dentistry. She feels education is instrumental to getting pets set on a healthy track. Many owners simply aren’t aware that poor oral health can lead to systemic illness such as cardiovascular disease and kidney disease in pets, much like it does in humans.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection beneath the gum line. As the disease advances, it destroys the bone around the root of the tooth. This results in loose teeth and pain for your pet. An estimated 85% of dogs and 75% of cats aged 3 and older will display some form of periodontal disease.

The solution is home dental care and regular dental cleanings done under general anesthesia. This allows for a deep clean under the gum line where periodontal disease occurs.  Dr. Connor can also do a full oral evaluation and perform any other extractions or oral surgery as needed.

Anesthesia is often times a worrisome topic, especially for owners with older pets. Dr. Connor and her staff understand this and take anesthesia very seriously. This includes a tech constantly monitoring their vitals, including blood pressure. Pets are also kept warm and receive continuous intravenous fluid therapy. Dr. Connor also recommends animals receive blood work prior to undergoing anesthesia, especially those over the age of six.  This will screen for any unknown disease such as liver and kidney disease, anemia and dehydration.

It is evident that helping pets gives Dr. Connor great satisfaction. She has witnessed animals’ entire dispositions shift once they have had their teeth cleaned and oral health evaluated. “It is very rewarding to make such an immediate difference in these animals’ lives,” she says.

Kindness Pet Hospital is located at 6744 West County Highway 30A. To make an appointment or for more information on all their services, call 850.267.3955 or visit www.kindnesspets30a.com. Kindness Pet Hospital is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 5 pm and every second and third Saturday of the month from 8:30 am-noon. Stay social at Facebook.com/KindnessPetHospital.