I'm sorry you had to deal with the flack about the dental cleaning. Most people just don't get it.
When I was working at the elementary school everyone from the principal to the janitor and everyone in between KNEW that if I had a fur crisis that I would leave immediately and or take a sick day to take care of my "children". This included foaling the mares and whelping the bitches. Not many even dared to "go there" with me.
Be assertive and rather aggressive about your position and they will back off.