Poor Bridget

As I understand it, some dogs are just more prone to tartar than others (mouth flora?) Well, poor little Bridget (10 yrs old) went in for her dental. She lost all the little nipper teeth on the front lower jaw. And a tooth in front of her big molars on one side.

She had a rough night. I gave her the pain med the vet gave me, but she would be laying down, then get up pace around, look at me, lay down again with a little groan. She would do this about every 30 minutes or so.

But she's her usual chipper self today.

I can empathize with Bridget. have to have tooth pulled next Wed. hope I am as chipper as Bridget the next day. Give her a big hug.

Is Bridget a lab? I know small dogs with their small, crowded teeth have more tartar. Maybe some of her trouble last night was still the anesthetic washing out, despite the pain med. I'm glad she's back to normal today!

I've know people who have trouble with tarter buildup much faster than normal. Something in the makeup of the saliva.

Glad she is feeling better.

Yes, Bridget is my first lab... that is, after we took a 20 year hiatus. She got her MH when she was 4 but sort of lot interest in the game. She's from healthy hunting dog stock. Lots of personality. Quite the diva.
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It might have been the anesthesia. Zo just had two teeth pulled and a thorough cleaning. We braced ourselves because we thought that the anesthesia would kick her butt but she was fine. I had a cat though who didn't sit still for 48 hours after coming out of it.

While it does have a genetic component, other factors can contribute like what type of food a dog eats and whether you brush their teeth or not. Cookie is 12 and never had to go for dental cleaning, but I brush his teeth regularly since he was 3, when I saw some tartar build up. I've had a lot of people, vets included, complement how white his teeth are for his age.

There must be some kind of personal influence, genetic component, because two people from the same house, eating the same food can have different needs for dental cleaning. Our cat Twitchy, eventually lost all her teeth. EVery single one. The Vet said her gums would toughen up, they did, and she still ate kibble. Poor Bridget (is that name a play on Get the Bird?) I bet she'll be fine in a short while.