Brushing Teeth
 

Hi Everyone,
I have a question I hope someone out here can help me with. You all have helped me alot these past couple of weeks.
Here goes. This is about teeth brushing. I had a hard time brushing Babybear's teeth before he broke his neck, but now since surgery he doesn't even want me near his mouth. He fights me and keeps moving his neck around even in the cervical collars. I don't want him to injure his neck more. I have a very small tooth brush I use on him and I use that beef flavored tooth paste which he completely hates. His teeth are getting really badly dirty though and his breath really stinks. This is in part because he is only eating canned food, he has a very hard time eating the hard stuff even when I cut it up for him. I can maybe get him to eat 4 or 5 pieces in 2 days. That is if I am lucky. I guess what I am trying to ask is does anyone have any good ideas how to get his teeth brushed without the fight?????
I am getting frustated with the tooth thing but with everything he has gone through I don't want to put him through more greif. I brushed them tonight and he kept trying to bite the brush and bit his toungue. He was bleeding for a few minutes, but I got him to stop.
Any Ideas will help. Thank you.
Also I have offered him bones and everything he won't take anything. I have even tried to hide the hard food in with his canned food just to get it spit at me. (Just like a kid)
Val

awwwwwwwww poor baby. How did he break his neck?

I found a really great toothbrush that I use on Jake, and he doesn't mind it too much. It goes on the end of my finger. He bites at it, but doesn't fight me, and it seems to work pretty good. When he's older, I'll use something different, but this one is great since he's still a tiny puppy. It makes toothbrushing much easier, I love it. I can try to find a picture online if you are interested.

As for brushing him, Jake doesn't like being brushed either, but I keep doing it everyday anyway. He's starting to get used to it. I've found that if I let him play with the brush a little before I start brushing him, he's much more relaxed about it.

Good luck!!!

Another thing you might want to consider are the dental bones they have which helps clean their teeth and freshen their breath. Those might be a better alternative until he's better so you won't have to struggle with him and not worry about hurting him.

Does he like to chew on bully sticks? They're a big help. Also, I wouldn't try to force him and risk injuring his neck again. You can always resume it after he's healed. They aren't as good as brushing, but they do have disposable tooth wipes you can use. I use those in addition to brushing. Makes the mouth smell really nice.:)

My problem is he won't chew on anything. He acts like if he chew he will hurt himself. The vets say he won't hurt himself he is fine to chew, but he still won't even play with his toys. And on Saturday it will be 7 weeks since he jumped off my lap and broke his neck. This is why I am wondering what is the best thing to do for the teeth.
I think I can get one of those baby toothbrushes that goes on your finger. I think it is to brush babies gums. I will try that.
I still have to be gentle with his neck. So the fighting the toothbrush is hard for me.

At this point I'd just let the brushing go. I certainly would not put him through any more grief.

You could try different tooth paste till you find one he likes and will lick off of your finger. then gradually start to rub his teeth with just your finger. When he is comfortable with that then get one of those finger tip brushes.

But I certainly would not fight with him.

Also try some dog food that is in smaller bites. I feed Royal Canine puppy and it is very tiny bites. You might have to cut out the soft food. If he is getting enough of that to eat he won't want the dry.

I have only seen two kinds of toothpaste for dogs. He doesn't like either one of them. I have tried one from the vets and I bought one at the store. Where it the best place for me to get some???? And what flavors do they all come in????

I use Life for Teeth from PetzLife Products (www.Petzlife.com or many other internet stores sell also). It is a mint flavored gel that is supposed to coat the teeth with enzymes that dissolve plaque and tartar. Sissy licks it off my finger. I do brush once a week as well, but the other days I just make sure to give her this. If his teeth are really bad, you can use it twice a day. I, too wouldn't brush his teeth right now. Let his little neck heal, but this product might help, too.

I have some treats that make their doggie breath smell soooo good, and they are kinda chewy instead of hard. Also they are very small and low in fat! They are called talk to me treats by booda. there is a website on the back of the jar. www.aspenpet.com I dont think they were too expensive, but I dont remember where I bought them. My dogs all love them! Hope this might help