Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital
2665 E. Pacific Coast Highway | Signal Hill, CA 90755
Tel: 562-494-0975
Fax: 562-597-8265
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562-494-0975
Welcome To The Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital Website!
Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital has served the Signal Hill, CA, area with a commitment to service and value. We appreciate your interest and look forward to earning your business.
The goal of Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital is to provide quality care to your family of pets.
About Us...
The goal of Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital is to provide quality care to your family of pets. Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital was originally established in the 1920s. The original Mediterranean style building has been retained and modified over the years to better serve the needs of the Long Beach and Signal Hill communities.
Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital also provides a full indoor dog boarding facility and a separate cat boarding facility. Both are climate controlled and monitored by the hospital staff.
Established in 1927
Dr. Lynda A. Guenther is a University of California at Davis graduate. After graduation, Dr. Guenther completed a 1-year internship in emergency critical care, internal medicine and surgery. She has a special interest in dogs and cats. Dr. Guenther has been the owner of Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital since 1998.
If you have any questions or comments, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us. Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.
Pet Dental Facts
Dog Dental Facts
• Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four months.
• Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line, inflamed gums and persistent bad breath.
• Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.
Cat Dental Facts
• Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to erupt at about two to three weeks of age. They have 30 permanent teeth that erupt at about three to four months.
• Symptoms of periodontal disease in cat include yellow and brown tartar build-up along the gum line, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.
• Cats can develop painful cervical line lesions. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
Chew On These Facts
Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets
• An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS)
Oral disease begins with a buildup of bacteria in the pet’s mouth
• Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formation that accumulates on the tooth. As bacteria grow in the plaque, and as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar.
• If tartar is not removed from the teeth, pockets of pus may appear along the gum line and further separate the teeth from the gum, which allows more food and bacteria to accumulate.
• Without proper treatment, this plaque and tartar build-up may cause periodontal disease, which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth.
Periodontitis is irreversible and may lead to other health problems
• Unlike the inflamed gums of gingivitis, which can be treated and reversed with thorough plaque removal and continued plaque control, periodontitis can only be contained to prevent progression. The disease causes red, swollen and tender gums, receding gums, bleeding, pain and bad breath. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.
• The infection caused by periodontal disease may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys.
Pet owners should look for warning signs of oral disease
• Common indications of oral disease include bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth, or depression.
• If any of these signs are present, the pet should be taken to the veterinarian for a dental exam.
The good news is that pet owners can reduce the risk of oral disease by following AVDS Recommendations
• The first step in preventing oral disease is a routine physical examination including a dental exam
• Pet owners should practice a regular dental regimen at home, which may include brushing your pet’s teeth with specially formulated toothpaste. It is best start early, but grown up dogs and cats can learn to tolerate brushing. Toothpaste for humans is not recommended because it may upset the pet’s stomach.
• Schedule regular follow-up care with your family veterinarian and ask about specially formulated foods with proven benefits in plaque and tartar removal.
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