A few months ago, we noticed that our chihuahua's breath had gotten significantly worse, and we…read moreknew we couldn't put off a dental cleaning any longer. Because our regular vet is both more expensive and farther away after we moved to South KC/Raytown, we decided to look around.
We first visited another nearby clinic, where we were told she would likely need a full-mouth extraction. Wanting a second opinion and additional pricing, we called Companion Care to confirm they perform dental cleanings and extractions, and they said they did. We were scheduled quickly for an initial exam.
That visit turned out to be not just unhelpful, but completely misleading. After seeking care elsewhere, our dog ultimately required a full-mouth extraction. She was already missing 12 teeth at the time of this visit, and many of the remaining teeth were loose.
From the start, there were some concerning signs. At check-in, the receptionist weighed our dog and recorded her at 13 pounds--more than double her actual weight (she has consistently been just over 6 pounds). I've never had a receptionist handle weighing at any other veterinary clinic, which made the error feel even more unusual. After I questioned it, she was reweighed and the number corrected.
In the exam room, the vet tech was the only part of the visit that inspired confidence. She handled our dog appropriately--gentle but secure--which is especially important for a small dog who may wiggle during exams.
However, when the veterinarian examined her, it quickly became clear that a thorough evaluation was not going to happen. He appeared extremely hesitant and primarily focused on avoiding being bitten. While caution is understandable, our dog is not aggressive. I explained that she tends to wiggle rather than bite and has been groomed every two months for nine years without incident, as well as seen regularly by our previous vet.
Despite that, he repeatedly withdrew his hands whenever she moved, which made it difficult for him to complete even a basic oral exam.
He performed a very limited evaluation and ultimately told us that her teeth "weren't that bad," even pointing out that her front teeth looked "pretty white." This assessment was not just an underestimation--it was completely inconsistent with her actual condition.
We specifically asked about dental X-rays, given her age (11 years old) and the likelihood of underlying dental disease. We were told they do not have X-ray equipment on-site and would not perform any imaging prior to a dental procedure. For dental work--especially in small or senior dogs--this is a significant limitation.
We paid approximately $75 for this visit, but it did not provide an accurate or useful assessment of her condition. As mentioned, she ultimately required a full-mouth extraction, and many of her teeth were already missing or only loosely attached at the time of this exam.
This experience was frustrating, but more importantly, concerning. A noticeably incomplete exam, combined with the absence of basic diagnostic tools and a significantly incorrect assessment, does not inspire confidence.
Based on this experience, I would not trust this clinic with dental care--particularly for small or senior dogs.
