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Thread: Dental cleaning

  1. #11
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Some critters only need sedation for teeth cleaning, not full on anaesthetic. Two of mine, a cat and a dog got to the point they didn't even need sedation. I'm not sure how common that might be. Your Vet probably won't be able to tell that till she starts to handle the critter in your absence.

  2. #12
    Senior Dog arentspowell's Avatar
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    Our vet always recommends a teeth cleaning for D. He does think she may be a good candidate for sedation instead of being put completely under which does make it a lot cheaper. The only reason I've held off is that I always want to get her teeth looking good again through bones and brushing. Of course, I always start off with the best intentions and slowly stop keeping up with it

  3. #13
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    Genetics. I've had dogs and cats who never needed cleaning or just once in later years.

    Sunnie needed one when we first got her, another one a few months (!) later, and just had another one....this one was about 4 1/2 years after the second one but I use tooth/gum products with these dogs and that most likely is helping but not eliminating the need for actual cleanings.

    Danny seems to be taking after his mother and is also prone to breaking teeth on hard things....we had to stop Nylabones, bones, antlers, after our vet dentist's pronouncement. I notice that he's got some buildup now and will be addressing that when he goes in for his annual later this month.

    I've never had any issues with anesthesia for dentals or any other surgery....talk to your vet and make sure that their protocol makes you comfortable with the level of care they perform.

    What you want to avoid by having the cleaning is gum disease.....a far more serious problem, potentially, than the tartar alone. I react to tartar or red gums. Stains don't bother me.

  4. #14
    Real Retriever 3ChocMom's Avatar
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    If they are not that bad, I would just start brushing now. I only do dentals if a problem arises, but I do brush my dogs' teeth several times per week. And chewing bones is not a guaranteed way to avoid dental issues. Brandy chews on bones all the time, but had to have 4 teeth removed last year. They were her molars all the way in the back. Those teeth are not used to chew recreational bones. The teeth were decaying, so it was a no brainer, they had to come out. But my vet recommends yearly dentals, even my holistic vet told me to do them every year on Brandy since she had to have teeth removed, but I refuse. I have also used a woman who does non-anesthetic dentals once. She does a great job cleaning, but obviously she cannot extract teeth.

  5. #15
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    Thanks for the input. The problem is that I agree with all of it. On the one hand, Hershey's teeth are not totally terrible, and I'd like to avoid having the dental done and see where I can get with brushing. Although, I don't think brushing can actually remove tartar after it's already there. The coconut oil thing is def worth looking into.

    On the other hand, I don't want to let her teeth deteriorate to the point that she will need extractions or an even bigger problem before I get something done. I will see if I can get a pic of her teeth to post later tonight.
    Last edited by Buggle; 07-07-2014 at 07:06 PM.

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    petitesalmon (07-07-2014)

  7. #16
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    Here's the best I could do for pics. The pictures kind of make them look worse than they are, but perhaps a cleaning is in order and then regular brushing to hopefully keep ahead of things from here on out.



    Last edited by Buggle; 07-07-2014 at 07:04 PM.

  8. #17
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  9. #18
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    Sorry for the gigantic pics. It won't let me go back and edit them. Also, her gums aren't as red as they appear. The lighting is terrible. They are pink like they should be.

  10. #19
    Best Friend Retriever Snowco Labradors's Avatar
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    I wonder if the lighting makes her teeth look yellow too. I personally would not put her thru anesthesia as her small amount of plaque along the gum line is minimal IMO. But I am no expert having never had a dog that needed vet cleaning.

    I would try the coconut oil and frozen beef marrow bones (start slow with bones - give for 10-15 mins and refreeze for another day to prevent loose stools from the rich marrow)

  11. #20
    Best Friend Retriever Snowco Labradors's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 3ChocMom View Post
    If they are not that bad, I would just start brushing now. I only do dentals if a problem arises, but I do brush my dogs' teeth several times per week. And chewing bones is not a guaranteed way to avoid dental issues. Brandy chews on bones all the time, but had to have 4 teeth removed last year. They were her molars all the way in the back. Those teeth are not used to chew recreational bones. The teeth were decaying, so it was a no brainer, they had to come out. But my vet recommends yearly dentals, even my holistic vet told me to do them every year on Brandy since she had to have teeth removed, but I refuse. I have also used a woman who does non-anesthetic dentals once. She does a great job cleaning, but obviously she cannot extract teeth.
    I mentioned this method to my vet a few years ago and he said he never heard of it without anesthesia. Do they sedate (not completely out) the dog or not? I would be curious to see this vets web site (if they have one, or if you could post the name or PM me so I can call her and inquire about this) Thankfully my dogs teeth are good but you never know as they age and its the anesthesia that keeps me from doing vet cleanings for just a small amount of plaque.

 



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