At Montana Pet Dentistry, we strive to reduce as much fear, stress, and anxiety as possible for your pet during their COHAT for pets. To support this, we aim to separate the initial consultation from the day of the procedure whenever possible. This allows us to assess the degree of stress your pet experiences simply by being in the building. With this information, we can determine if medications given at home prior to the day of surgery will help provide a smoother day for everyone.
We understand that many circumstances may preclude having the initial consult and procedure on separate days, and we have several strategies to adapt to this situation.
Checking In: What Happens When You Arrive at Your COHAT for Pets
Upon arriving at our office, you will be greeted at the front desk. Here, we will meet your pet, obtain a weight, and promptly proceed to an examination room.
Dogs and cats are vastly different beings, with very different opinions on what constitutes a stress-free environment! To address this, we have achieved Feline Friendly Practice certification, which means:
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Separate areas for dogs and cats
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Feline-specific spaces with features designed to reduce stress and help cats feel more secure
On the Day of a COHAT for Your Pets
On the day of your pet’s anesthetized COHAT for pets, our staff will take a history with you and your pet in an exam room. This gives your pet time to acclimate to the environment while meeting the staff members with their trusted human by their side. After completing the history and check-in paperwork, your pet will be taken to our treatment area.
Dogs will be brought to an open but safely confined beach enclosure with soft bedding for comfort. Cats will be placed in our feline-only private suite, where they will enjoy warm bedding and a place to hide. At this stage, we will perform any pre-operative lab work and place an IV catheter while developing an anesthetic plan. If your pet is stressed during these steps, we will premedicate with sedatives before lab work. If they handle minimal restraint well, we will premedicate after receiving lab results.
Monitoring and Dental Care
Next, we will gather baseline monitoring parameters and provide oxygen before anesthesia is induced. Throughout the procedure, we closely monitor vital signs, including:
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Heart rate and rhythm via ECG
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Pulse oxygenation
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End-tidal CO2
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Blood pressure
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Temperature
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Respiratory rate and character
These parameters allow us to provide the safest possible anesthesia and pain management, adjusted in real-time to your pet’s needs during their COHAT for pets.
We will then obtain a cone beam CT scan, and Dr. Guillory will perform an oral examination. After this, our staff will begin a thorough dental cleaning while Dr. Guillory calls you to discuss any findings and recommended treatments. We will provide an updated treatment plan and cost estimate before proceeding with any treatment or oral surgery you have approved.
Recovery and Discharge After a COHAT for Pets
Once all treatments have been completed, your pet will move into recovery. Here, they will receive the same personal attention and care that we give our own pets during this potentially stressful time. Our staff will monitor their progress until they are safe for discharge.
At discharge, we will:
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Review all post-operative care instructions with you
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Answer any questions you may have to ensure your pet’s smooth recovery at home
Conclusion
At Montana Pet Dentistry, your pet’s comfort and safety are our top priorities during their COHAT for pets. We aim to deliver compassionate, thorough dental care with as little stress as possible for both you and your furry companion.
Ready to book a COHAT for your pet? Contact our friendly team today to schedule a consultation and keep your pet’s smile healthy for years to come!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (06/27/2025) Photo by Raul Varzar on Unsplash