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Originally Posted by llcornell  My vet had guessed her to be more around age 10. Her teeth were very bad and when they cleaned her teeth and got a real good look at them they said she may even be younger. So I wasnt very suprised that her vet estimated 8
My understanding is it is an educated guess and can be off by several years??? Im sure ladyJane could probably give more accurate info on this than I? They also can estimate how many litters they have had? Which I had no idea. |
Sometimes they get tagged as being older because they come to us looking so beat up. The teeth are a good way to estimate, but when they are covered with tartar it makes it more difficult. It is not uncommon for them to trim a few years or even add a few after the dental is done.
I have never heard one say how many litters, but I have heard them say that a uterus was *mature looking* meaning it was obvious there were many litters.
The eyes can also be a way to tell, but not just the evidence of cataracts because those can be congenital. My vet said that the opthamologists can tell the age...some kind of instrument they use for viewing. I honestly forget exactly what she said.