[ladyjane]

This is a tough call and ultimately is your decision. No one can really advise you. I can only tell you what I would do or not do and I would not have a dental done on my 14 year old pup with the health issues you are speaking of, especially if the meds I was giving him were helping him. You mentioned he had pancreatitis and you felt it was due to prednisone. Are you aware that anesthesia can sometimes also cause pancreatitis?

I once did a dental on a 16 year old yorkie and she did ok after the dental, but was dead 3 months later from renal disease. We knew she had it but I was afraid the dental issues would hasten her death. In the end, I don't know which did, the dental issues or the anesthesia, but the bottom line, she was gone and I promised myself I would never again do a dental on a senior pup with health issues.

I had two yorkies pass this past year from renal disease. They were siblings and were 15 years old. They both had dog food that caused the renal issues. They needed dentals about a year before their death. My vet did not recommend it and said that IF the teeth started causing a problem, then she would give antibiotics.

I personally think it is unlikely the breathing issues are related to his teeth. Dogs with collapsing trachea are more prone to upper respiratory disease/infections. If he were mine, I would treat the symptoms. This is pretty late in the game to be treating the teeth. If he were 9 or 10 it would probably be more reasonable. This, of course is just my opinion.

The nasal congestion .... I had a pretty sickly little guy who was treated with neo-poly-dex eye drops for it (a drop daily in each nasal cavity). At first I was skeptical but it truly helped him! You might want to ask your vet about that. I don't think it would be contraindicated because he is on Temeril P but your vet could advise on that. Sounds like you are doing all the right stuff for the bronchitis. Another thing you might want to ask your vet about is Lomotil for his CT. A lot of the specialists are using this first for CT and it really does help in some dogs. I have a foster right now who is on it and it is helping him.

PLEASE understand that my thoughts on a dental are just that.....MY thoughts. At the end of the day, you are the one who must do what you think is best for Pilot.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted on your boy.