[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Britster

In 2012, an average of seven people out of one million died from anesthesia.

Studies suggest that for normal, healthy dogs and cats, the risk of death is approximately one in 2,000. For pets with a preexisting disease, that number increases to about one in 500. So the risk of dying, all pets combined, is a fraction of 1 percent.

There is risks associated with everything that we do with our pets. But, to me, a dental is worth it if needed. I don't think scheduling dogs for dentals every year, when they don't really seem to need one, is necessary. I mean, my dads JRT shihtzu mix is 6 1/2 years old and her teeth are nearly perfectly white (never brushed, hardly chews anything, etc). A tiny tiny bit of tarter on her canines, but not much. My dad will not put forth any money for a dental for her, and honestly? I probably wouldn't either. But Yorkies, and other small dogs, are notorious for terrible teeth.