Bad dental for Bella

[pstinard]

Bella is in for her dental today, and the vet called a few minutes ago with bad news. Bella has several extractions, but the most complicated one is her first molars. Bella's first molar roots go down to within a few millimeters of the bottom of her jaw line, and then they hook back upwards. To remove them would risk breaking her jaw and leaving her jaw in a permanently weak state that would risk future breakage. Bella will get a referral to the dental department at the University of Illinois Veterinary Hospital where the procedure can be performed more carefully by specialists, and the missing teeth can be replaced with artificial bone tissue that will strengthen her jaw. In the meantime, the vet will remove the other teeth than can be easily removed, and Bella will need to heal for 4 to 6 weeks before her University of Illinois appointment. The vet reassured me that the University of Illinois veterinary dentistry department is one of the best in the country. I still feel bad for poor Bella, because the vet said that she will still be in pain until she gets the other molars removed.

[nanajoy]

I am very sorry for poor Bella. Thank goodness that you have such a renowned dentistry facility where she can be treated! Best wishes that her vet can help you handle her pain until then. I know that it will be a hard time for you both.

[matese]

OMG what horrible news, poor lil Bella. Although a costly procedure, due to modern technology and people that have a love for animals have found many technics / procedures to make our babies healthy and live longer lives.

[maxdog]

I am so sorry to hear that. My stomach clenches up whenever I hear that one of our babies will be in pain. They are so little yet so strong. We will keep Bella in our prayers.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by nanajoy

I am very sorry for poor Bella. Thank goodness that you have such a renowned dentistry facility where she can be treated! Best wishes that her vet can help you handle her pain until then. I know that it will be a hard time for you both.

Thanks! They called me while Bella was still under anesthesia and told me that they'd call me when the procedure was over, but that it would still be a while. They haven't called back yet. Poor Bella

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by matese

OMG what horrible news, poor lil Bella. Although a costly procedure, due to modern technology and people that have a love for animals have found many technics / procedures to make our babies healthy and live longer lives.

I don't know anything about the cost of her future procedure yet, but the University of Illinois is very good, and their prices are reasonable compared to private animal hospitals, so I'm hopeful for a quality job at a reasonable price. Right now, cost is not a concern. Bella's been there before for emergency treatment in the past, and I have nothing but good things to say about them and how well they treated her.

[matese]

Originally Posted by pstinard

I don't know anything about the cost of her future procedure yet, but the University of Illinois is very good, and their prices are reasonable compared to private animal hospitals, so I'm hopeful for a quality job at a reasonable price. Right now, cost is not a concern. Bella's been there before for emergency treatment in the past, and I have nothing but good things to say about them and how well they treated her.

You have always praised their knowledge and procedures with Bella. I'm just happy procedures that could not be done 20 years ago are common today even if there's a high price that comes with it.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by matese

You have always praised their knowledge and procedures with Bella. I'm just happy procedures that could not be done 20 years ago are common today even if there's a high price that comes with it.

After doing some googling, when the vet calls back, I'm going to ask if there is any possibility that the U of Illinois vet dentists can save her bad molars with root canal or other procedures. Those are huge teeth, and from what I've read, it really is a dangerous procedure to remove them. Some of the photos that I saw were horrible.

[matese]

Originally Posted by pstinard

After doing some googling, when the vet calls back, I'm going to ask if there is any possibility that the U of Illinois vet dentists can save her bad molars with root canal or other procedures. Those are huge teeth, and from what I've read, it really is a dangerous procedure to remove them. Some of the photos that I saw were horrible.

Wise choice, just reading the risk of breaking her jaw made my stomach churn, yes, very dangerous procedure. I hope there is another alternate, I would think the U of Ill. would be more likely to answer that question then your vet, JMO, wouldn't he have told you there was an alternate?

[canana]

I'm so sorry to hear about poor Bella's molar. Scottie has a molar like that too (in fact it was his baby molar tooth), where the root extends all the way to his jaw. When I saw the x-ray I was in shock. I pray he never needs to get it removed.

Praying that the pet dentist can help Bella!! And that she won't be in too much pain after surgery!

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by matese

Wise choice, just reading the risk of breaking her jaw made my stomach churn, yes, very dangerous procedure. I hope there is another alternate, I would think the U of Ill. would be more likely to answer that question then your vet, JMO, wouldn't he have told you there was an alternate?

Yes, the U of Illinois will be better able to answer that question, and you can be sure I'll be on it as soon as the x-rays are sent over. The vet SHOULD have told me if there was an alternative to extraction, but she had ducked out of the surgery room to consult with me, so she may have been a little rushed. I'll grill her when she calls me. It's been TWO HOURS now since I spoke with her--I'll call them in a few minutes and ask if Bella is still in surgery. They do have a dedicated anesthesiologist, and an assistant was still with her doing the cleaning while the vet was speaking with me. I hope the molars can be saved...

[dottiesyrky]

So sorry for you and Bella. Praying all goes well with this dental recovery and the upcoming complex procedure if and when it happens. Such a shock, and I feel for you.

[pstinard]

Okay, I called up the vet and Bella was out of surgery and was just waking up. They removed many teeth (most of her teeth ) because of abscesses, and the vet felt that the first molars will probably also have to be removed at the U of Illinois because there were abscesses around them as well. Root canal is probably NOT an option, but the U of Illinois will tell me for sure. They will give me a CD containing Bella's x-rays to take with me to the U of Illinois vet dentistry department, and suggested that I take her in for a consultation in about three weeks time. I will schedule that appointment tomorrow. They gave Bella a two week antibiotic shot and will send some pain killers/anti-inflammatories home with me. Dr. McGuffin is very concerned about Bella and wants me to keep her informed about her recovery over the next couple of days. Bella was awake and sitting up and looking at Dr. McGuffin by the end of the phone call. There is no damage to the underlying bone, and Bella should make a full recovery and feel much better in two or three days. Soft food only for the next 5 or 6 days. I can soften her kibble with water or low sodium broth. I'll probably go with the broth since that will provide some added flavor. We pick her up at 4 PM.

[matese]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Yes, the U of Illinois will be better able to answer that question, and you can be sure I'll be on it as soon as the x-rays are sent over. The vet SHOULD have told me if there was an alternative to extraction, but she had ducked out of the surgery room to consult with me, so she may have been a little rushed. I'll grill her when she calls me. It's been TWO HOURS now since I spoke with her--I'll call them in a few minutes and ask if Bella is still in surgery. They do have a dedicated anesthesiologist, and an assistant was still with her doing the cleaning while the vet was speaking with me. I hope the molars can be saved...

I kinda thought this could be a reason your vet didn't go into more detail. We all know how very thorough you are when it comes to medical issues especially when it comes to lil Bella.

[matese]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Okay, I called up the vet and Bella was out of surgery and was just waking up. They removed many teeth (most of her teeth ) because of abscesses, and the vet felt that the first molars will probably also have to be removed at the U of Illinois because there were abscesses around them as well. Root canal is probably NOT an option, but the U of Illinois will tell me for sure. They will give me a CD containing Bella's x-rays to take with me to the U of Illinois vet dentistry department, and suggested that I take her in for a consultation in about three weeks time. I will schedule that appointment tomorrow. They gave Bella a two week antibiotic shot and will send some pain killers/anti-inflammatories home with me. Dr. McGuffin is very concerned about Bella and wants me to keep her informed about her recovery over the next couple of days. Bella was awake and sitting up and looking at Dr. McGuffin by the end of the phone call. There is no damage to the underlying bone, and Bella should make a full recovery and feel much better in two or three days. Soft food only for the next 5 or 6 days. I can soften her kibble with water or low sodium broth. I'll probably go with the broth since that will provide some added flavor. We pick her up at 4 PM.

I hate when these sweet babies have to suffer, they are such tough lil fighters. Glad she will be coming home soon.