I'm Nervous
 

Hi All-
I am a bit nervous, as Stannie goes in to the vet tomorrow for a teeth cleaning and possible extraction of two teeth (Vet says she will know better after all the tartar is removed).
I am worried about the anesthesia at his age, and the possible extractions. I don't want my old man to be in too much pain.
Not much anyone can do, but good wishes and positive energy are appreciated.
Many Thanks.

awwwww, give the "old man" kisses from Hope.... I sure hope he does well, we will say a prayer for him...
d

According to my vet, as they get older, it does take them a bit longer to work the anesthesia out of their system (organs and tissues). But with a little extra TLC, which you are great at, I'm sure he'll be fine.

But here's some hugs, positive thoughts, and prayers just to help out.

Prayers coming your way..for your Little ole man...he will feel your love allllll around him....keep us updated...

Sending good wishes for Stannie. I am sure he will do great but sure understand your worry. Kass will be 10 in July and she had hers done three weeks ago and made out fine.

they can give them something to reverse the anastesia and fluids to help wake up better/faster when removing tartar with the ultrasonic/water pic machine you can easily see if teeth are loose and need to be pulled

Sending good wishes for Stannie! xo

I'll pray for Stannie.... Poor guy..

sending prayers your way.i had my lab fixed at the age of 7yrs he kept jumping the fence. i dont know how old your boy is but im sure he will do fine
my lab did:) sending hugs:)

Hi! Matthew,
A week ago today my Samantha had dental surgery. She is a senior too and like always I was worried sick. All of her life she has had problems with her teeth and this time molars in back had to come out. My vet had her on IV fluid drip all that day and during surgery. I didn't pick her up until that evening. Just to make sure she was well hydrated. I know just how scarey putting them under is and all the worry that goes with it. Your little man will be fine. I admit last Monday Sami wouldn't eat anything and was just plain sick so I had a good cry and then it was on to plan B. I bought baby food, the beef and lamb and got her eating again. But next week I get to worry all over again because my two boys go in for dental cleaning. Please keep us all posted. That positive energy is a good thing!!:animal-pa

sending good thoughts your way!!!

i am sure your furbaby will do great!! :)

Thanks for the support, all.
He was dropped off this morning, and I should be able to pick him up between 3 and 5 pm. He was not happy about being there, shaking like a leaf. Broke my heart. But it is in his best interest to get this done.
Did you all know that tooth decay and infection is the number 1 health problem in pets today...both dogs and cats. Yikes.
I will get some baby food, just in case.
Keep the good thoughts coming.
Many thanks,
Matthew

Keeping good thoughts and prayers!!!

Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. Let us know an update when you have time.

Sending prayers and warm wishes to you and Stannie!

Drastic Measures Needed
 

Well, the vet called me a short time ago.
ALL OF STANNIE'S TEETH WERE ROTTEN, AND HAD TO COME OUT.
He is now a toothless wonder.
She said I will have to feed him a liquid diet (soupy, as she called it) for the remainder of his life.
She implanted some synthetic bony structures into his sockets so it will heal better, and his gums are supposedly covered with stitches. Good news is that they are dissolvable, so no return trip for removal.
He is reportedly in quite a bit of pain, so she is getting some pain meds and antibiotics together to send home.
And naturally the estimate I signed is null, as this was "major surgery"- so I pray it is at least what I have in the bank now. If not, a payment plan will be in order. Thank god I paid my bill off in full each time I have gone in the past.
But it is worth it, no matter what the cost.
Now I could just shoot the former owner for not keeping up with this...but I am glad it was done to avoid infection and blood poisoning.
Will keep everyone updated as the weekend progresses. Keep the good thoughts coming. Poor Stanford.
:eek: :eek:

I'm sorry to hear about your baby.. I sure hope he feels better soon...


lots of love and hugs headed his way :)

I am just now seeing this. Matthew you have got to be the bestest daddy around. Poor Stannie. I am so sorry that he had to go thru this but I know it was best for him and I know that you will take great care of him. God knew what He was doing when He sent Stannie to you. Please give Stannie a little kiss from me.

Aww poor baby! :( Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers your way!;)
Extra cuddles are a must and I agree that previous owner should get the what for!:mad:
Stay possitive and hope he feels better.
I am sure your a great daddy!;)

I am so sorry about Stannie. Poor little guy. :( You've been such a wonderful "parent" to him and I am definately sending warm thoughts your (and his) way. :)

Poor Stannie I hope his pain is short lived and he recovers super fast. He is so lucky you rescued him and are taking such good care of him now.

Keep us posted.

Matthew,
My Sami is toothless too. The baby food saved me and am now getting her back on her regular food. I use a mini chopper to puree her food (canned) and add warm water. Try the beef and lamb baby food, it's very soft and he should be able to eat it. Today was a week since Sami's surgery. It'll get better I promise. He will just have to get used to using his tongue in a different way. You know Sami started having dental issues when she was just a year old. In her case I really think it's genetic as to start having problems that young. That is when she adopted me! Stanford will adjust and so will you. Hang in there!:animal-pa

Ok, we are home now.
He was whining in the carrier, but nothing like the usual "hollering" I hear.
Vet said his jawbone had softened, and the beginning stages of an infection down into the bone had begun. They feel it is imminently treatable, and that it was gotten to in time.
He refused his supper of "soup", but downed some Nutrical.
They said that as they began to clean his teeth, they wobbled. So she moved onto the next one, which almost fell out. Same with the rest of them. Vet thinks he was just swallowing his food whole to avoid pain. But he was chomping down those tiny hard bone treats like nothing. I did notice he would refuse them sometimes, and was rubbing his mouth on the carpet at odd times.
The implants also have an antibiotic in them, to diffuse the medication right into the jaw. I think that is very cool!
So now the patient has crashed out in bed #1. Was told he most likely will sleep until tomorrow.
So he is on a pain med, and an antibiotic, both liquid.
Healing should be well under way by the end of next week, and done in two weeks.
It broke my heart when they brought him out. Very wobblely (sp), and he immediately snuggled in close when he was handed over.
I think the other animals know he is not feeling well, as they are being good and leaving him alone.
Vet said that eventually, the teeth just would have fallen out, then the infection would have spread, and possibly weakened his jawbone to the point where it would have fractured, if the infection did not do him in first.
But luckily we will not get to that place. I am just glad to have him home, and on the mend.
GO STANNIE!
Thanks for listening to a "worry wart", and for all your support. Will update tomorrow.

I'm thrilled he's doing better and you avoided something much, much worse. Kisses to Stannie. :)

Patient continues to sleep soundly. Not to keen on being touched or handled, but had to receive his antibiotics and a dropperful of water. He just looks so miserable when awake...thank goodness he is exhausted.
Vet warned me I will "have to get used to his tongue hanging out". I laughed and said it did that before!
I think this has taken it all out everyone else here too...all the animals are asleep at the same time- a first for this house.
Will check in tomorrow. Thanks for all the good tips and support.

Coby sends puppy kisses and Reggie sends ol' man "harrumphs" to Stannie. Bless his little heart and your big one.

11pm to 7am Shift Report
 

The patient seems to have slept soundly thru the night.
The "nurse" got him up and out for his potty this morning, which was successful.
He then consumed 90% of a bottle of beef baby food, and received his medications.
He seems much more alert and interested today. His "roommate" (Kenneth the cat) attempted to snack on some baby food and sniff the patients butt. Patient response was in line with baseline behavior before surgery, i.e. quick spin and yap at roommate. Therefore, patient reflexes seem adequate. Roommate perceptive to patient's needs and returned to his own area of the room of own accord. Roommate praised for effective conflict resolution skills.
Effects of pain medication are evident. Patient is resting comfortably. Will give updates to incoming shift.
"Nurse Matthew" ;)

:lol tears Oh, how I wish I could visit your patients.

I wonder...
 

If Stanford had this infection going on in his jaw, would this have explained other issues he had/has (hair loss, low weight, etc...)
Has anyone else here experienced an undetected infection that led to obvious symptoms?
I assume he was getting dry food at home. I know the first neighbor who took him in was quite vexed that he would not eat the dry food that she had for her other dogs. I chalked it up to his not liking that cheap crap from the Dollar Store. But it could have been jaw and tooth pain. So perhaps weight loss was due to not being able to eat dry, crunchy food.
I am still perplexed the the original owner did not note this, and have some alarm bells set off. Maybe she did, and ignored it or could not afford an exam (still no excuse). I have no idea what happened in her house. All I know is the outward behaviors: I hear her screaming at her grandkids nightly, hear her multiple dogs howling and snarling, and deal with her pit mix who waits for all cars to come down the road, then darts in front of them, trying to attack the cars. If I had room and a bigger budget, that dog would "disappear" as well.
He is a sweet dog in person.
Anyhow, has anyone dealt with the above bolded question? What did you see?
Thanks!