Yorkie's Teeth
 

My gosh! I was just in Wal Mart buying material and ribbons to make Snoodles a St. Pat's Day dress and the woman wanted to know what I was making. When I told her a dress for Snoodles, she said she had three dogs. She said one got a cavity in her tooth and it broke her jaw and the vet couldn't save her. She said the other two have all had their teeth pulled! ALL OF THEM! She said Yorkie's are famous for having bad teeth! That sounds just terrible to me. And Scary! I asked if they ate greenies, or Petrodix chews and hard dog food. She said they would only eat hard dog food if she broke it up with a hammer and they wouldn't eat doggy bones. I told her mine loves all of the above, plus I brush her teeth every morning. She just said """GOOD LUCK"" People should be aware of how expensive these little dogs are". WOW! Blew me out of the water. So, my question is: you who have older Yorkie's do they have this problem? She said when they get cavities, it is not uncommon to have their jaw break! :eek: Pat

Carter just had four puppy teeth pulled while he was under anesthesia for neutering. They also cleaned his teeth while they were at it. I'm going to attempt to be a good mom and take care of his teeth so that he doesn't have future problems. I use C.E.T. chews that have enzymes to help reduce tartar. I also have an enzyme toothpaste I'm going to begin using that is poultry flavored.

If necessary, I'll have the vet clean his teeth each year.

OMG...what a NICE lady huh? First of all, yorkies do tend to have teeth problems, but with care it won;t be anything bigger than what comes with age...With that said, by brushing Snoodle's teeth you are already delaying the "aging" process, by offering dry food and treats that are meant to clean the teeth is another plus ;) Also, when necessary, you can have you vet to do a teeth cleaning...

About losing the teeth and braking the jaw...i donnou anything about it. But one time i saw on animal planet when they were recuing dogs from a puppy mill, one of the females has lost all her teeth and she wouldn;t even close her mouth right, the vet explained that the bottom jaw turns into a "rubberish" density, now alowing her to even close the mouth completely...i wonder if that is what happened....

Carter's Mom, what is a C.E.T. chew? Not familiar I don't think with those. :confused:

Schatzie uses the enzyme toothpaste when we brush in the am but has not had her teeth cleaned yet. They looked ok during her recent surgery so other than pulling a couple teeth the vet and I thought to wait to check her teeth when she is spayed.

Annabelle has had her teeth cleaned a few times and so far has lost none.

I've heard that tooth loss is common in toy breeds. Not sure if this is true or not?? :confused:

Wow - I have never heard of a dog breaking it's jaw over a cavity. Im guessing all we as doggie parents can do is keep their teeth professionaly and home cleaned and take care of those little teeth the best we can. If a tooth does go bad it isn't as though we didn't do our best to take care of them right? :) Also, I am thinking it goes beyond their teeth, an overall healthy pup on the inside will keep their little teeth healthy also.

There's definitely older Yorkies without teeth out there, but it can be preventable with daily teeth brushing, checkups at the vet every year for their teeth, and items like Greenies to clean their teeth.

My Vet said dogs don't get cavities......Only tarter buildup which causes decay if not taken care of...
Might be a good question for everyone to bring up next time visiting the vet.

It is ture that some Yorkies have teeth problems, but they usually just get their teeth removed, they don't drop over dead! My Maddie has wonderful teeth and she's 4, which amazed the vet. If you brush your dogs teeth, I'm sure you won't have terrible problems.

Oh my gosh this thread has scared me so much. I have started brushing Gucci teeth more deligently. I though that using the greenies was enough to care for Gucci teeth; but now i realize that is better to be safe than sorry. Gucci fights me when i brush her teeth but Im going to continue doing it. I know that when she gets spayed she will need some teeth to be pull because some of her baby teeths havent fall and she has double teeth.
Any advise on how to make teeth brushing more pleasant for Gucci will be great appreciated?

Bailey, my Yorkie, will have to have at least 3 baby teeth pulled that didn't fall out. He just turned 1 year. I brush his teeth and clean his face and eyes every night before bed (and brush him thoroughly) I started doing his teeth when he was about 3-4 months after I talked to a neighbor who's Yorkie had to have all of his teeth pulled because she only fed him canned dog food and no brushing, etc. I had a technician at Petco show me how to brush and I just did it.

You can also get pull ropes and leather pieces that help also.

Never too late to start.

Thanks everyone for replies! We must deligently watch those teeth, I guess. Also would like to know what a C.E.T. chew is. I use Petrodix chews along with greenies and daily brushing.
Marie! At first I used my finger and put the paste on, and just rubbaed her teeth. Then, I got a finger toothbrush and rubbed her teeth with that, and then the toothbrush. At first, just a swipe or two and praise! praise! praise! Then Hard Treat!! After awhile she will tolerate you brushing them. I got a very small toothbrush at K-Mart. It is somewhat pointed and then you push back the hair around the mouth, and lift the mouth a little to get in. Somewhere I read where it's the front of the teeth that gets most of the tarter build up. So, good luck and I'm sure with constant trying she will eventually let you do it. Snoodles will wait by the sink for me to do it in the morning. It's the hair brushing and nail clipping we are still fighting with. I hope to God she doesn't lose her teeth or break her jaw! That would just freak me out!
Pat

greenies????
 

Hi I understand the petrodix chews but what are greenies? I have a big dog other than Sydnee, and the vet gave me stuff to do her teeth with, but she chews huge bones so a greenie I haven't a clue about.

Sydnee is only 8 weeks old, so are you saying that when we have them spade they all need teeth pulled out? why?? :confused: Not understanding the relationship between teeth and uterus?? Or did I miss something? Viki

Greenies are a chew treat. They are called "Greenie's" on the bag. They have differant sizes. Small to large. They help cleanse the breath and clean the teeth. Most Yorkies love them. Available on line or at your pet store. Some vet's even carry them.

A lot of times a Yorkie's baby teeth don't all fall out by the time their adult teeth come in. So the vet kills two birds with one stone while the Yorkie is under anesthesia for being spayed/nutered. The vet will pull out the extra baby teeth.

Here is a picture of them ....

Also, I get the small Greenies and cut them into three pieces. I am sure that is enough as she weighs 3#. But her teeth sure are white yet. She also had her baby teeth pulled when she was spayed. The vet said Yorkies baby teeth generally don't fall out (or at least all of them) and then they have double teeth which is harder to keep clean so they pull them at the time of the spaying so they won't have to go through anesthesia twice! Pat

For nail cutting, start by laying them on their back for a few seconds and go for longer periods. Work in peanut butter which takes their mind off of pretty much anything. Do the peanut butter on the roof of their mouth. I haven't tried it for brushing but it helps with nail trimming

I have had my precious lil Austin since October, and this is my first time to reply to a thread. He is almost 7 months old and has lost all but four of his baby teeth, and they aren't budging!!! His adult teeth are crowding his four "needle baby teeth". We are going to his vet today to see about getting them pulled. But my question is, does he have to be put under? I have heard TERRIBLE stories about anestesia and little dogs. *Plus* We are going to be breeding him, so he won't be getting fixed. Is he to young to be getting them pulled? I'm worried!

Thanks thanks thanks!!
 

Thank you all for the nice replies and not thinking I am off in the land of Nod.
Just alot of difference between an 80 pound dog and my little baby. I mean Sydnee isn't even 1/2 the size of the Tahni's head.

Schatzie thanks so much for the photo a picture is worth a thousand words and thank you samc for the nail trimming advice and mybirdys2003 thanks for all your advice on portioning. Okay, I can do this without harming my baby, or else I will find a really good groomer. :p Viki

Loose teeth
 

My yorkie is 8 years old, her teeth are white, brush her teeth at least once a week. Just noticed the front bottom teeth is loose and a top small teeth is loose today. Puzzled because the teeth look in good condition, worried anyone experience this with their yorkies?

Samc - Isn't it amazing what a wonderful thing as peanut butter can be as a training device with Yorkies (other pets too)? Don't you wish it was just "peanut butter alone" that could take our mind off pretty much anything, LOL :D

Austin's Mama, I'm glad you "joined" Yorkie Talk and have replied. Lately there have been quite a few posts in regards to "tooth loss" over Yorkies. As you, this is new to me also and I am finding it quite interesting/nervous to read all the do's and dont's over the well being of our Yorkie's teeth.

I do not know if the Yorkie's have to be put under to have baby teeth pulled, but I am thinking that the vet's are not able to give a simple shot of novicane (sp). Isoflourine is a safe anesthesia for Yorkies and you can confirm this with your vet. Schatzie too was around 7 months when I rushed her to the vet asking about her baby teeth being crowded with her adult teeth. At that time my vet advised to give it about a month to see if the baby teeth would fall out on their own as they seemed a little loose. Come to find out a needed surgery took presidence over the teeth so she had her baby teeth pulled out during her surgery.

Just ask your vet the option's you have since you are not wanting to neuter your little one. I would think that your Yorkie would be only under anesthesia for a very short time to have teeth pulled and I would see no worries.

Keep us posted on what you find out as this is a learning experience for many of us. :D

The vet's office had instructions on the bottom of my invoice and discharge papers. In it was stated that the baby teeth roots are not deep and therefore don't truly require any extra care.

I wonder if that means they could pull them with minimal sedation?

The day after Carter's teeth were pulled, the adult teeth were already moved into position!

Samc! I will try it! She is just a bugger to cut her nails! My husband has to hold her down, we've tried toweling--can't keep her in--we are afraid we will hurt her or break a leg. So, I appreciate the hint and will certainly try it! THANKS! Pat

After reading these posts, I jumped up and ran to brush my yorkie's teeth and gave her a mouth rinse. Then I checked for plaque; thank goodness all still looks good.

Here's some info on pet teeth cleaning:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/...in598524.shtml

That's a great find, pamsai, welcome aboard! :)
---
February is National Pet Dental Health month. So what better time to take the bite out of gum disease in our pets?

Man's best friend is notorious for having the world's worst breath. But what seems like just an annoyance could mean serious health problems. Our resident veterinarian Debbye Turner offered advice on The Saturday Early Show.

Unusually bad breath could indicate tartar build up, or worse, gum disease. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of 3. And your pet's heart health could depend on your attention to your pet's teeth. Yes, bad teeth could be deadly!

How do you know if your pet's teeth are clean? Lift lips and look at the teeth. They should be shiny, white, and healthy looking. The gums should be pink but not reddened, swollen or diseased looking. Your pet's breath should be "reasonable," not putrid or rotten smelling. There should be no sores or lesions on the gums.

Consequences of poor dental hygiene:

Dental calculi/tartar (commonly known as plaque)

Gingivitis

Periodontal disease

Mouth sores and ulcers (including oro-nasal fistulas)

Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORL)

Broken lower jaw

Kidney, liver, and heart disease

Tooth loss

Calculi/Tartar: (Plaque)
This is the yellowish, brownish build up that occurs at the base of the teeth where the teeth meet the gums. This material is full of bacteria. If left untreated, it will lead to periodontal disease and many other devastating health conditions. Plaque is the combination of saliva and food debris that sticks to the teeth. As calcium salts are deposited in this build up, tartar develops.

Gingivitis:
The gums become inflamed, reddened from a build up of tartar on the teeth. This is reversible with proper teeth cleaning by a veterinarian.

Periodontal disease:
Gingivitis will lead to periodontal disease if left untreated. The gums become infected and recede from the teeth. The ligaments surrounding the root of the teeth are damaged. Even the bone of the jaw itself can be damaged. There can be an accumulation of pus and even bleeding. This is all very painful. The pet will stop eating, lose weight as a result, and show reluctance to being touched on the face and head. Periodontal disease is not reversible. The progress can only be stopped by the proper professional treatment. You don't want to let your pet's mouth get to this point!

Oro-nasal fistulas:
These are non-healing "tracks" that open up between the mouth and nose. Often the dog will have sneezing fits that lead to a bleeding nose. These must be repaired by a specialist who is skilled in oral surgery.

Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions:
FORL is caused by the activation of odontoclast that attack the teeth. The crown of the tooth will eventually snap off and the gum will grow over the remaining root. This is very painful! Researchers don't know what activates the odontoclasts, but there is a higher incidence in Siamese and oriental cats, and immunosuppressed cats (FeLv and FIV positive cats).

Broken lower jaw:
In smaller breeds, extremely advanced stages of periodontal disease can lead to mandibular fracture.

Kidney, liver, or heart disease:
The abundance of bacteria present in tartar can gain access to the bloodstream through the compromised gums that are affected by periodontal disease. These bacteria-laden plaques can lodge in the valves of the heart, liver, kidney, and even the lungs. These situations are life-threatening and can lead to death.

When is it time to get your pet's teeth cleaned? Contrary to popular belief, your pet's breath should not be inordinately bad.

A rotten, putrid smell is probably an indication that the teeth and/or gums need medical attention.


If there is an abundance of yellow/brown/black build up on the teeth just below the gums, then it is time to have them professionally cleaned by a veterinarian.


Also, if the gums look reddened and/or swollen it's time to take your pet to a vet.


If your pet stops eating, lift the lips and look in the mouth. There may be a foreign object lodged in the mouth that is causing difficulty eating. Or severe gum disease will be so painful that the pet stops eating altogether. .


Persistent salivation could be a tip-off that something is wrong in the mouth.

Treatment:
Pet owners should take steps to keep the pet's teeth cleaned by feeding hard food. There are now food formulations specifically designed for reducing tartar build up. These seem to be rather effective. But the best way to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy is to brush the teeth at home regularly -- every day is preferable, but a few times a week will be quite helpful. The pet owner should use toothpaste that is specially formulated for animals. This is safe for swallowing. DO NOT USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE. Do not use baking soda to brush your pet's teeth. Plus, use a toothbrush made for pets. They are soft and non-abrasive to the pet's teeth.

It is important to teach your pet to tolerate getting her (or his) teeth brushed. So it is best to start this ritual very early in life. However, it is never too late to start. It will just take a little longer to acclimate the pet to the process. Turner strongly recommends that you have your veterinarian demonstrate the proper method before you get started.

You should first slowly touch or pet the pet's muzzle to make sure she will allow this action. Then, lift the lips to expose the teeth. Use a pet toothbrush or soft cloth to brush each tooth using a gentle circular motion. The pet's mouth can remain closed during this process. No need to agitate her further by trying to force the jaw open. Start with the back teeth and work your way forward to the incisors. If the pet will allow, brush the inside surface of the teeth, too.

At least once a year, the pet's teeth should be professionally cleaned by a veterinarian. This requires putting the pet under anesthesia and usually a course of antibiotics. Some pets are prone to building tartar faster than others, and so need to have their teeth cleaned more often than once a year. Your veterinarian will assist you in determining the proper dental hygiene program for your pet.

Thanks Fasteddie! That was a great post! Gosh! I hate to think of thoses darn teeth going bad. All we can do is brush and give hard food and greenies and Petrodix sticks, I guess! Am anxious to see what the vet thinks of Snoodles teeth next time I take her. See if all of the above was worth it. She has good breath, though. Of course, she is only a little over a year so I would hope it wouldn't happen that quick! Pat

Having teeth prof cleaned!
 

I'm worried about my Yorkie going under to have her teeth cleaned
Monday. Please send me some advice and experiences of having
your Yorkie go under for teeth cleaning. Thanks!!!!!! :confused:

I hate to do this but I'm going to tell you a horror story about bad teeth in dogs. It's a little long and I am sorry about that, but I want to be sure and tell you all I can and maybe you can avoid the heartache we have had.

First, my vet told me that certain breeds such as Poodles and Yorkies are prone to have bad teeth to begin with. They need good oral hygiene. All dogs do but some breeds are just more prone to tartar/plaque buildup.

Bacteria forms under/around the plaque that forms and if it gets into the blood stream it showers through the body. It can (doesn't mean it will but it can cause heart disease, liver and kidney disease.

Our precious little Gidget is a little over 7 1/2. Pretty young to be so sick. Her teeth were getting pretty grungy but we were so scared of putting her to sleep to get them cleaned. Greenies are great so please don't get me wrong. They just shouldn't be used to remove plaque already formed in my opinion. Anyway, I gave all our babies a Greenie. The first day Gidget chewed one the plaque on the back teeth just popped off. I was so excited. Only I noticed a small amount of blood on her gum also which I figure is natural but I did remember about bacteria and blood would be the easiest way to travel. I gave her an antibiotic I had left over from something else and got some more from the vet the next day. I kept giving them one a week but noticed within a few weeks she wasn't feeling too good. Everyone else was fine. I noticed her breath wasn't just doggy but rancid. Like she'd been eating poop or something. Long story short, I took her to the vet and she was put on 24 hour i.v. immediately. When he tested her blood her Creatinine (sp?) was 8 and the BUN was so high it didn't register. He said those numbers were incapatible with life. I was so scared I burst into tears. The vet I took her to specializes in small animals and is 65 miles away. He didn't really think she'd make it. I drove over every day and spent an hour with her. Six days later she came home!!! Her numbers, though still very high, had come down.

That was last October. Since she was released we take her to a vet nearby to inject fluids (doesn't hurt her) under her skin twice daily. She is on a special diet. Most days she feels pretty good which is amazing. I have cried and prayed over that little dog more times than I can count. We're very blessed to still have her.

Anyway, it's too late to clean her teeth because she would not survive surgery. But you can be sure that each one of our other little dogs has had their teeth cleaned since. I try to brush their teeth a couple of times a week but it's a battle because no one has been used to it.

So it's important to keep their teeth as clean as possible. And never let anyone put your dog under without testing their blood levels first. Anesthesia is very safe nowadays but you don't want to put your dog under unless their blood level is safe for it.

Again, I apologize for the length of this.

Make sure the vet uses isoflorane gas to put your yorkie under... Its very safe. Make sure to get a pre blood screening before hand.. This tells the vet that she can handle the gas without any problem..

Scared!!
 

Hey everyone!!
I had no idea yorkies had this mych trouble with their teeth...I need to know what kind of tooth paste and toothbrush to get Romeo and where can I get them....I live in Oklahoma!!!

I really like Petrodix tooth paste. It is costly, but really cleans. I buy it either at Quality Supply, or the vets. You can get Hartz at Wal-Mart, but it is runnier and I don't think it does as good a job. I also give her half a Petrodix stick every day and a third of a greenie at night! It is scary, isn't it?