No Anesthesia Teeth Cleaning

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

The costs are abysmally high but the dogs are in clean surroundings, unknowing of any discomfort or stress, they are monitored by instruments and caregivers, an IV line running, sterile instruments are used and all 3 of my Yorkies have come out of yearly dentals with bright, clean teeth and breath w/out showing any residual terrors or fears by them (or the staff!). Can you imagine the stress associated w/scaling the teeth, under the gumline of an awake,restrained-against-his-will-and-hurting poor, terrified dog? Yikes! I couldn't bear to do it. Heck, even human dentists who do painful work seem to prefer to work on sedated patients! Can't blame them in a way.

Responsibly having a dog these days is very expensive and approaching luxury status.

My vet now has two months each year where they offer 20% off which helps a lot. They do February and October. Also doing the blood work in advance can save some money too.

[YorkieMomNYC]

Cody initially went under general for his first cleaning, and he is very tiny. They had to extract a tooth, because it was loose, and he has too many, in his tiny mouth.

Well, I ended up back at the emergency room with him at 1:30 AM as he was non stop MOANING, seemed traumatized and a distant look, like a Zombie. I could not tell if he was suffering, or had a bad cross reaction from the pain meds they prescribed him with the anesthesia. That is what was determined by the ER vet, but I had a very sleepless, and worrisome, night.

Since, that whole experience left a negative impression, we took him to have two non anesthesic teeth cleanings. Thus far, we have been lucky, and have had no issues. I am very disheartened to hear about all of these awful experiences. It is something to consider in the future, but I must say, our experience with the normal cleaning, under general, was not positive either.

Originally Posted by Rachael1983

Has anyone ever tried a non anesthesia teeth cleaning done by a vet/doggie dental hygienist? I've seen this advertisement floating in our area and its half the cost of the dental completed by our vet. I was just curious to know has anyone ever tried it and what the results could be like. Emma is 3.5 and due for a dental but our vet charges quite a bit and I'm a bit nervous about putting her to sleep so this may be an option.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by YorkieMomNYC

Cody initially went under general for his first cleaning, and he is very tiny. They had to extract a tooth, because it was loose, and he has too many, in his tiny mouth.

Well, I ended up back at the emergency room with him at 1:30 AM as he was non stop MOANING, seemed traumatized and a distant look, like a Zombie. I could not tell if he was suffering, or had a bad cross reaction from the pain meds they prescribed him with the anesthesia. That is what was determined by the ER vet, but I had a very sleepless, and worrisome, night.

Since, that whole experience left a negative impression, we took him to have two non anesthesic teeth cleanings. Thus far, we have been lucky, and have had no issues. I am very disheartened to hear about all of these awful experiences. It is something to consider in the future, but I must say, our experience with the normal cleaning, under general, was not positive either.

There are many different anesthetics one may not have been the right one for your pup or there protocol could have been off. What did your regular vet say when you told him what happened? Did they do pre surgery blood work?

[YorkieMomNYC]

I went out of my way to speak with the anesthesiologist ahead of the dental, she assured me his bloods were perfect, and she would take extra care because he was tiny. They said he did very well and had no problems.

As I said it could have been a cross effect between the pain meds I gave him later in the night, and whatever anesthesic was still in his system.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

There are many different anesthetics one may not have been the right one for your pup or there protocol could have been off. What did your regular vet say when you told him what happened? Did they do pre surgery blood work?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by YorkieMomNYC

I went out of my way to speak with the anesthesiologist ahead of the dental, she assured me his bloods were perfect, and she would take extra care because he was tiny. They said he did very well and had no problems.

As I said it could have been a cross effect between the pain meds I gave him later in the night, and whatever anesthesic was still in his system.

In all my surgery's that my dogs have had where they come home the same day they are usually already given the pain meds for that day and don't get any until the next day so maybe it was a medicine OD. Also theres not really anesthesiologist in veterinary medicine. Usually you have the vet and the tech. The vet gives the meds but the tech is responsible for the monitoring.

[YorkieMomNYC]

Hi Lovetodream88,

I know he was given an antibiotic during the procedure, because he had a tooth extraction. I am not sure about pain meds during the procedure, but they gave us little syringes, filled with pain medication, to take home.

As for the anesthesiologist, I did speak to her both on the phone, and via email, as I was worried about him undoing general and being quite small. He had it done at the Animal Medical Center, in New York City, and they have one on staff. Here is the doctor's official title on their website: "Head of the Anesthesia and Pain Management Service."

Anyway, that was my experience. We have another dog (a Pom) who will be turning two, and I am sure, he will require a cleaning, very soon. He does not have the temperament to withstand a non anesthesic cleaning, so maybe his experience will be different, and hopefully, better?

I am uncertain what we will do with Cody going forward, but as I said, after having two non anesthesic cleanings, he is fine. Maybe we got lucky, or the techs he saw were very well trained? This will require further discussion, and consideration, moving forward.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

In all my surgery's that my dogs have had where they come home the same day they are usually already given the pain meds for that day and don't get any until the next day so maybe it was a medicine OD. Also theres not really anesthesiologist in veterinary medicine. Usually you have the vet and the tech. The vet gives the meds but the tech is responsible for the monitoring.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by YorkieMomNYC

Hi Lovetodream88,

I know he was given an antibiotic during the procedure, because he had a tooth extraction. I am not sure about pain meds during the procedure, but they gave us little syringes, filled with pain medication, to take home.

As for the anesthesiologist, I did speak to her both on the phone, and via email, as I was worried about him undoing general and being quite small. He had it done at the Animal Medical Center, in New York City, and they have one on staff. Here is the doctor's official title on their website: "Head of the Anesthesia and Pain Management Service."

Anyway, that was my experience. We have another dog (a Pom) who will be turning two, and I am sure, he will require a cleaning, very soon. He does not have the temperament to withstand a non anesthesic cleaning, so maybe his experience will be different, and hopefully, better?

I am uncertain what we will do with Cody going forward, but as I said, after having two non anesthesic cleanings, he is fine. Maybe we got lucky, or the techs he saw were very well trained? This will require further discussion, and consideration, moving forward.

Well you learn something new ever day, I have never heard of vet anesthesiologists. Depending on what’s being done especially an extraction then pain medicine would be given at the vet. If they he was ok when he was released by the vet it probably wants the anesthesia I’m thinking. My younger girl and boy have a bad reaction to different pain meds so it could have been that or they gave him pain meds and when you gave him more it was to much. Non anesthesia cleanings are so bad for the teeth because no under the gum cleaning and no polishing. It’s actually just kinda useless and all it does is make them look good to you. I’m guessing he hasn’t been fixed?

[YorkieMomNYC]

I know, most, if not all, vets do not approve of non anesthetic cleanings, ours included. However, she said she understood my trepidation, after what happened with Cody's first dental. Again, this is something we will have to revisit, and consider, the next time it appears his teeth will need professional help.

I forgot to add, we have brushed Cody's teeth everyday since he was fully trained to let us do it (maybe a month after we got him?). I guess part of his affinity for plaque is, just being a Yorkie, and his genetics.

Finally, he is a neutered male. We believe, if one is not planning to breed their animal, they should be fixed. Cody has a very sweet, compliant nature, which is why he has been successful with the non anesthetic cleanings. Our Pom, who is also a neutered male, just has a tougher temperament, is very high strung active and wiggly, so he could never qualify with his disposition.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Well you learn something new ever day, I have never heard of vet anesthesiologists. Depending on what’s being done especially an extraction then pain medicine would be given at the vet. If they he was ok when he was released by the vet it probably wants the anesthesia I’m thinking. My younger girl and boy have a bad reaction to different pain meds so it could have been that or they gave him pain meds and when you gave him more it was to much. Non anesthesia cleanings are so bad for the teeth because no under the gum cleaning and no polishing. It’s actually just kinda useless and all it does is make them look good to you. I’m guessing he hasn’t been fixed?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by YorkieMomNYC

I know, most, if not all, vets do not approve of non anesthetic cleanings, ours included. However, she said she understood my trepidation, after what happened with Cody's first dental. Again, this is something we will have to revisit, and consider, the next time it appears his teeth will need professional help.

I forgot to add, we have brushed Cody's teeth everyday since he was fully trained to let us do it (maybe a month after we got him?). I guess part of his affinity for plaque is, just being a Yorkie, and his genetics.

Finally, he is a neutered male. We believe, if one is not planning to breed their animal, they should be fixed. Cody has a very sweet, compliant nature, which is why he has been successful with the non anesthetic cleanings. Our Pom, who is also a neutered male, just has a tougher temperament, is very high strung active and wiggly, so he could never qualify with his disposition.

Cheers!

So he has been under more then once?

[Rachael1983]

I spoke with the vet from the anesthesia company and he asked several questions about age , temperament ,health and times she’s had a dental. He actually suggested we go with our regular vet so I appreciate that he was not inthis just to get money . He did say that the option for no anesthesia would be for a dog that just needs maintenance not a full cleaning.

Troy was about 4 pounds and he had two dentals in his short life and I had no issues , so my concern about Emma not taking the drug well etc are about 30% where cost was more like 70%. I think bc when I lived in GA vetinary costs are so much more affordable I have major sticker shock when my vet gives a quote on care. I even had the option in GA to go to low cost centers and it seems that this area has little to none of that option.

[YorkieMomNYC]

No, only the one time, and then we have done the two anesthesics, for maintenance.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

So he has been under more then once?

[YorkieMomNYC]

Well, Cody is little under four (like 3.7/3.8) pounds, so I understand your concern.

I live in New York, veterinary costs, as well as just about anything, is outrageous, here.

Good luck with Emma's cleaning.

Originally Posted by Rachael1983

I spoke with the vet from the anesthesia company and he asked several questions about age , temperament ,health and times she’s had a dental. He actually suggested we go with our regular vet so I appreciate that he was not inthis just to get money . He did say that the option for no anesthesia would be for a dog that just needs maintenance not a full cleaning.

Troy was about 4 pounds and he had two dentals in his short life and I had no issues , so my concern about Emma not taking the drug well etc are about 30% where cost was more like 70%. I think bc when I lived in GA vetinary costs are so much more affordable I have major sticker shock when my vet gives a quote on care. I even had the option in GA to go to low cost centers and it seems that this area has little to none of that option.

[ladyjane]

I believe that Embrace has a wellness plan that covers dentals. I would encourage all pet owners to look into pet insurance especially if money is an issue.

If the cost of a dental is a concern, think about what one case of pancreatitis....or a torn CCL could cost. I have been slammed over the years with things I never expected to happen to my yorkies.


Here is a great link about insurance plans:

https://www.consumersadvocate.org/pe...RoCVxoQAvD_BwE

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Rachael1983

I spoke with the vet from the anesthesia company and he asked several questions about age , temperament ,health and times she’s had a dental. He actually suggested we go with our regular vet so I appreciate that he was not inthis just to get money . He did say that the option for no anesthesia would be for a dog that just needs maintenance not a full cleaning.

Troy was about 4 pounds and he had two dentals in his short life and I had no issues , so my concern about Emma not taking the drug well etc are about 30% where cost was more like 70%. I think bc when I lived in GA vetinary costs are so much more affordable I have major sticker shock when my vet gives a quote on care. I even had the option in GA to go to low cost centers and it seems that this area has little to none of that option.

Welcome to one of the most expensive places to live lol it’s terrible. I can’t speak for DC but we do have low cost places in most county’s in md. If I get time I can try to search for you and send you a pm if I find anything.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by YorkieMomNYC

No, only the one time, and then we have done the two anesthesics, for maintenance.

Then they definitely gave your boy pain meds pre procedure so he probably did need any that night and it may have been an od thing. Just my guess. Some dogs also just don’t do pain well.