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02-20-2011, 10:00 AM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: tx
Posts: 1
| Molar cavity on 15 year old yorkie My Yorkie turned 15 a month ago. He's had heart murmur for about 4 years, and has had molar cavity over about a year which seems to have started periodontal gum disease. However, he's still going. It's nearly impossible to rinse his molar with anti-microbial rinse. I think it's hurting, but overall it's impossible to rinse or brush his teeth because he doesn't like it. Other than his dental problem, he's still going. I don't think heart murmur will kill him as he's had it for fairly long, and heart murmur is pretty common among old dogs. The vet says they'll do heart sonogram to make sure it's safe to put him under anesthesia, but I do not understand how that will help at his age. With the sonogram and dental work, I could be looking at about $800, and even if he does not wake up from anesthesia, I will still be charged the amount. My Yorkie is a special dog and my family as he's been with me for 15 years, but you develop a bond with any decent dog after many years. My decision is at his age, it's not worth taking the risk to his life, and financial risk. It will make more sense to let him go on as he is until he passes, and when he passes use about $800 to adopt another yorkie. I breaks my heart, but I don't think it's worth the risk at his age, but just want to get your opinion. Thanks so much. |
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02-20-2011, 11:17 AM | #2 |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| First, welcome to YT. I tend to agree with you. I think I wouldn't want to put him through the surgery and just let him live out the rest of his life happily as he is. Ultimately, it's your decision to make but he sounds like a great dog. We'd love to see a picture.
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier |
02-20-2011, 11:23 AM | #3 |
I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 37,147
| I agree with your decision and would do the same
__________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427 |
02-20-2011, 11:36 AM | #4 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| This problem could weaken his heart, so it's not just the tooth and gums that you have to be concerned with. I can't recommend anything either way except talking to the vet who has been overseeing his heart problem. It sounds like they are doing all the right things to make sure he is safe under anesthesia and they must feel like it is fairly important. That said, don't hurt yourself financial. Particularly at this age, it's not a great disservice to the pup to leave the tooth in.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
02-20-2011, 12:24 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 5,891
| This is a decision you must make on your own after discussing it with his vet. My little girl was having a problem with one of her molars, and my husband and I were convinced that it was making her anxious. Because she had an enlarged heart, her doctor would no longer do her annual dentals and would only put her under anesthesia unless it was necessary. Once we were able to reduce the size of her heart with Chinese herbal medication (she had been taking enalapril for her heart), he was able to remove the infected tooth and clean her teeth. She was 16.5 years old at the time, and she was able to live without pain for another 9 months. Her anxiety definitely was reduced and her heart was also stronger without the threat of periodontal disease causing damage to it and her health. Knowing your little one better than anyone else, you can probably assess how much the tooth is bothering him or how it is affecting his behavior. We absolutely loved and trusted our vet, and once he was reasonably sure that Ashley would survive the anesthesia, we had the dental done, even though he didn't think it was causing her as much anxiety as we thought it did. Once she recovered from the surgery, Ashley was able to eat more freely and seemed so much better.
__________________ Lisa and Katie Ashley 6/10, Gracie 2/04, Kiwi 10/03, and Jolie 7/93 . |
02-20-2011, 03:39 PM | #6 |
Donating YT 30K Club Member | I am sorry your little guy. My Nikki was a rescue who was adopted out without badly needed dental care to a lady who couldn't afford it. When I met them Nikki was estimated to be 15 years old. I took him to her vet and after a complete check up and blood work we had the dental done. We knew it was a risk but his teeth were so rotted and he didn't want to eat so there was no choice. He did great but he also had a strong heart. If he is in pain may be see if they can just sedate him lightly and pull the bad tooth out. It may be a lot less expensive and risky and relieve his pain. Just a thought.
__________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html |
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