Couver's Dental on Saturday...

[CouversMom]

Couver is scheduled for his first dental cleaning on Saturday. I am a nervous wreck already... I'm starting to wonder if it is really worth it to put him under for clean teeth? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if he didn't wake up. I'm contemplating canceling it so I will feel better. I don't know what to do... Does anyone have experience with dental cleanings or have any advice? I'm just torn...

[107barney]

Originally Posted by CouversMom

Couver is scheduled for his first dental cleaning on Saturday. I am a nervous wreck already... I'm starting to wonder if it is really worth it to put him under for clean teeth? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if he didn't wake up. I'm contemplating canceling it so I will feel better. I don't know what to do... Does anyone have experience with dental cleanings or have any advice? I'm just torn...

I think if a dog needs a dental, he should have it done. The risk of anesthetic death is very very small. My Daisy is a high risk dog, and last year she broke a tooth so she had to have dental surgery -- she did fine. I would not cancel if the dog needs a dental. There are many benefits to doing dentals when recommended. Best wishes!

[azkaty]

I would ask the vet if they are familiar with small dogs and anesthesia ..Express your desire that they make sure and intubate with the smallest tube possible. Talke to the tech who will be there doing the intubation. If you have any doubts about the vet doing the dental, I would call and get some opinions.

There is some risk of damage to the trachea, which I went through. See if they will do a mask down for you, which is better for them..they come out of the anesthesia very quiclky. Ask how soon the pup can be picked up.. that will be some what of an indication on what method they use. Finally, see if they will hand scale, as there is some evidence that ultrasonic can loosen the teeth ( the little ones) from the jaw bone, and make them fall out.

Hope all goes well for you.

[zowiandnikasmom]

my girls get dentals usually every 2 years as needed. i completely understand your concerns. i am always always a nervous wreck when it comes time too, but i do think the anesthesia risk outweighs the problems that can be caused by having bad teeth. not just oral diseases can occur, bad teeth can lead to several other health issues as well.

**the best thing you can do is to have all the pre op testing done that your vet recommends... bloodwork, ecg, urinalysis. i usually take mine in a week before they're going to have the dental to have all the above mentioned checked out and as long as everything looks good there, i go for it.**

last february my tiny little pixie was 8 months old and 2 pounds and had to have a dental to remove retained puppy teeth and have a cleaning. our vet followed a different anestesia protocol for her because she was such a tiny. she called it reverse anestesia and i believe it was given intraveneously instead of tubated. this was decided after i expressed my concern and anxiety of putting her through this. the same day i also had my 10 year old 10 pound zowi's teeth cleaned as well. (she has had hers done 4 times so far in her lifetime.) they used the traditional anestesia protocol on her and she also had no problems, even at her "senior" age.

when the dentals are over, i breathe a sigh of relief and make sure to keep thier teeth brushed a few times a week so we will have to go through this as little as possible in the future. i use an enzyme toothpaste from our vet and a soft baby toothbrush on my girls. pixie just had an annual exam and her dr said we're doing a very good job on her teeth and she should not need the cleaning for at least another year! woohoo!

[zowiandnikasmom]

would also like to add that our dr highly recommends having iv fluids administered during the procedure and recovery afterwards for all of her patients, but especially for yorkies / small dogs.

[Britster]

Awwww, I know how you feel! Couver will be fine though! If he needs it done, I would do it. Teeth care is sooo important as it can affect other vital organs, etc. They also will sometimes find things that you had no idea. Jackson had a dead tooth in there and I had NO idea so they pulled that before it started any infection or anything.

I am like you though and I probably would have avoided scheduling a dental for a long time had he not needed something else done in his mouth (his canine tooth was poking into his upper gum, causing a hole, and it *needed* be to fixed as he was in pain). So had it not been for that, I probably would have been like you... avoiding it, canceling, re-scheduling, LOL.

You know how I am about Jackson and how close he and I are, but he did absolutely FINE!!! And the best part is that he felt sooo much better a few days later. I think it's almost like when we get our teeth cleaned at the dentist- it just feels so much better (plus Jackson's other problem of course, took away his pain).

Anyways, just do it!! Couver will be fine and do great and you and he will both feel better once it's done. I will be thinking of you guys on the day because I know it's a lot harder on us than it is on him.

Also be sure to find a place you really trust and it will be so much better. I took Jackson to a dentist specialist and it was more expensive but so much more worth my peace of mind, I felt very confident with him in their hands and knew he was going to be safe. If I had any uneasy feeling at all, I wouldn't have left him there.

[CouversMom]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will definitely be asking my vet a ton of questions to make sure that they do everything properly. His teeth really aren't bad, but I think it's better to clean them now than to wait until they are bad. My vet knows I'm a nervous and protective momma, so I'm going to see if we can go in tonight and talk with him.

[Maximo]

I will be thinking of Couver and you on Saturday.

My boys need cleanings this year and I am going to (try to) be brave like Brit and just do it.

[linda44]

Good luck to Couver Saturday. My Cricket goes in this coming Thursday for her dental. I know what you mean though, I always worry, till the vet calls me and says its done and all went well. Geesh, so wonder we all dont have ulcers huh

[ladyjane]

Dental disease is a leading cause of health issues in dogs. The risk of death from anesthesia is very slim, but the risk of health issues from dental disease is very high. I believe that the benefits of good dental care far outweigh the risks.

Here is a link that you might find informative:

Canine Dental Health Care | AKC Canine Health Foundation

[CouversMom]

Well, I have decided to go through with it. His front teeth are almost completely white, but the back really could use a cleaning... I'd rather catch anything with his teeth before problems arise. I'm still really nervous, but got some questions answered at my vet. We will be doing bloodwork, they will use sevoflurane gas, will use the smallest tube possible (and still be safe...), they use the ultrasonic, and I should be able to pick him up by 4.

I am still nervous, but feel more settled with my decision. Now I just have to figure what I'm going to do with myself on Saturday while I wait... I'm going to be a wreck!

[Maximo]

Clean house. Anything physical makes the time go by faster.

I will be thinking of Couver on Saturday and looking forward to your update that he is home with perfect Hollywood star chiclet teeth.

[Doodlebug]

I know how you feel. Teddy Bear just had his teeth cleaned and I felt the same way. I'm sure he will be fine and I will say a prayer for both you and Couver. Hugs!

[ladyjane]

Best wishes for Couver!

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Will be sending good thoughts your way. I know we all go nuts when we need to have our babys go under for anything. Couver will do just great. Hugs.