Teeth Cleaning

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Kate

What kind of bones do you give her? Sadie chews on Dental Stix and that is mostly it. I worry about her choking on bones. I do brush her teeth, but not like I should.

I always take her in once a year, and have been brushing more than the year before. But, when she had hernia surgery three mos. or so ago, the ass't. showed me her back lower teeth and they were dirty. I was shocked because the teeth I have been brushing were just fine. I just can't get to the back teeth very well.

Thanks.

We use bullysticks that dont have odor from bestbullysticks.com

[simbasmom]

Well I know that my vet always does blood work prior to putting my dogs under anesthesia so they can check to make sure there's no underlying condition that would make it risky for the dogs to be put under. However, even with that there is always a risk. With my boys they normally only need a dental every 2-3 years.

[Kate]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

We use bullysticks that dont have odor from bestbullysticks.com

She used to chew on those, but yes, terribly smelly. Also, I was afraid she would choke on those things. Glad you don't have a problem with your Yorkie chewing on these.

Thanks.

[Kate]

Originally Posted by ruby2sday

My little Yorkie, Ruby, died when they put her out to clean her teeth. It wasn't her first time. I would be very careful who you take your dogs to for tooth cleaning.

This happened about 3 years ago and I'm still devistated. I feel so guilty.

This is what I don't want to read. My heart goes out to you. I can understand the guilt, but please don't be too hard on yourself. You were being a good Mom and doing what we are told is the best thing to do.

Take care of you!

[Kate]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I think it's a matter of the general public knowing absolutely nothing about veterinary medicine. My family and friends come up with stuff like that too (avoid anesthesia with small dogs at all costs, they will fall out anyway - don't worry about it, etc.). I've come to realize that I need to ignore them about animal care and do what my vet wants me to do.

Some will need cleanings yearly and some won't. If the bacteria does build up from lack of dentals, there is a risk of organs not functioning properly. If your pup needs a yearly dental, then that's what they should have.

Doing procedures together or separately will vary by vet and be based on what is being done, the length of time taken to do each thing, and the possibility of cross contamination. For instance, if a dog is very sick from pyometra and is being spayed, that is it for the day. If it's a routine spay, some vets will also do a dental. There are some that say teeth work with abdominal surgery is too risky because of cross contamination and others think that is ridiculous. It's really about trusting your vet. That said, for my dogs, we combine procedures when possible. The immediate need (as long as it isn't too serious and has to be done separately to get the dog out of anesthesia quicker) is taken care of first and then the teeth. If there are signs of distress, the dental isn't done. My vet is very comfortable doing this and it's what I'm comfortable with for my dogs. Being hospitalized can be very traumatizing for some dogs and coming out of anesthesia (or even going under if the dog has to be masked or tanked) isn't too pleasant. Also, the injectibles to tranquilize and knock down (while generally considered safe) are something I prefer to avoid back to back if possible. I think it's a matter of to each their own

What an informative post, and thank you so much for taking the time to write it.

I was wondering about the cross contamination situation, and this truly makes sense to me.

I am thinking about going ahead with the cleaning, and then start being more diligent about brushing her teeth at least three times a week. I think of it as a bonding experience. LOL Sadie does not feel that way though.

This way, maybe I could delay the cleaning and do it every two years instead of one. The age thing bothers me too. She is going on ten, so I will tackle that later.

Thanks for the great info.

[gracielove]

I know that some vets prefer to get the animal out from under anesthesia as quickly as possible.
To me it is more important to consider the circumstances. If my dog was being spayed I don't think I would want it to stay under anesthesia long enough for a complete dental cleaning as well.

Many people are using the new enzyme type cleaners on their dog's teeth. They seem to keep the tarter off the teeth quite well. Of course some brands work better than others so check the reviews. I prefer doing this to having my dog's teeth done at the vet's office so frequently. I also give her things to chew that help keep the teeth clean.

[Kate]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

I really don't know if my opinion is of any value. It is not based on medical information, but feelings. I feel that good dental health is important for me, so it is important for my Yorkies. I do their dental, when my Vet says have dentals. She is the professional and I trust her to decide if and when they are needed. Gracie has never needed one she will be 3. Rubin is 8 and gets one about every 18 months. Lilly my husbands Lab has never needed one. We do use preventive Petlife, dental sticks, and brushing every other day. (The puppies Ginny Joy and Abba are too young)

Of course your opinion is valued. In fact, I thought the same thing. If I need my teeth cleaned, so should she. I just wish I could keep them cleaner chewing on bones, etc.

I am going to look for Petlife today. She does chew the dental sticks.

Thanks.

[Kate]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Maxine is 14 1/2, and hets a cleaning once a year for health reasons. The Spice Boys will get a cleaning when needed. Any procedure has the possibility for complications, but consider the alternative.

The age factor was something that concerned me too. Sadie is 9 1/2, but the vet said that is young for a Yorkie. She is in excellent health.

I have decided to go ahead with it.

Thanks.

[QuickSilver]

I think it's a judgment call.

I wanted to avoid general anesthesia for Thor as much as possible, and I was so proud of myself for brushing his teeth every day for the past three years. Well, one of Thor's teeth fell out last week, and he's at the vet's today for emergency dental surgery.

Thor is a little plaque monster, and it turns out my original vet was entirely too casual about his dental health. I guess what I recommend is finding an excellent veteranarian you trust implicitly and going with their advice. The Heath & Wellness forum is a good place to read up on what an excellent vet should be doing (anesthesia monitoring, etc).

[Ellie May]

Toofers should be brushed at least once a day everyday.
We use OraVet to help protect them against plaque.

Old age is not a disease. As long as preop testing is all normal, that is not the deciding factor.

My girl had a spay, liver biopsy, and dental done at the same time (while liver compromised) and she did just fine. If you're talking about adding a dental onto a loooong ortho procedure or something though, that's different. Things like spays and hernia repairs usually don't take that long. Depending on suture speed, spays can be done in about 10-15 minutes.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Kate

She used to chew on those, but yes, terribly smelly. Also, I was afraid she would choke on those things. Glad you don't have a problem with your Yorkie chewing on these.

Thanks.

The ones from bestbullysticks.com really do have no odor and we have been through some bullysticks trying to find the ones with out stink. I call Callie an expert chewer lol because she only wants small bites if she is going to eat it so she wont swallow the bone unless it is super super small and by that time I already have it in the trash. I understand being afraid of them choking though because my moms rescue Sammy comes over at least once a week and before he comes over I have to throw away anything that is close to being small because my mom cant give bones at her house because she has a beagle that has teeth problems and cant chew so Sammy goes bone crazy when he gets here and he scares me that way he can chew on a bone so I always give Sammy and Callie a fresh 12" bullystick when he gets here and keep my eye out on him.

[darnlora]

My tootsie is going in for a dental and hernia surgery in 2 weeks my vet said he will do both together. His logic is that both can be done simultaneously that way 1 time under only less invasive less hard on pup. What to believe?

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by darnlora

My tootsie is going in for a dental and hernia surgery in 2 weeks my vet said he will do both together. His logic is that both can be done simultaneously that way 1 time under only less invasive less hard on pup. What to believe?

If you do not believe in your Vet, get a new Vet. Get them both done the same time. Hernia repair is no big deal.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

The ones from bestbullysticks.com really do have no odor and we have been through some bullysticks trying to find the ones with out stink. I call Callie an expert chewer lol because she only wants small bites if she is going to eat it so she wont swallow the bone unless it is super super small and by that time I already have it in the trash. I understand being afraid of them choking though because my moms rescue Sammy comes over at least once a week and before he comes over I have to throw away anything that is close to being small because my mom cant give bones at her house because she has a beagle that has teeth problems and cant chew so Sammy goes bone crazy when he gets here and he scares me that way he can chew on a bone so I always give Sammy and Callie a fresh 12" bullystick when he gets here and keep my eye out on him.

I got my last order from bestbullysticks.com too. I also got the odorless. I do not smell them at all. My girls do not get choked because I also throw them away when they start getting to small. I do know that I was very hesitate to use them but the girls love them. Rosie is even able to tolerate them with her IBS.

[beautifulboy]

My little yorkie will be needing his teeth cleaned. Is there a vet who will not put a tube down his throat? I wouldn't mind a shot to put him to sleep but I fear the tube because of collapsed trachia.

Some Advice Please!!