Dog people, I need your help...

[Cataholic]

I am 'thinking' of adopting a St. Bernard pup- 6 months old, in a less than desirable situation. This pup needs dental work. From the ignorant 'owner's' perspective...the pup's big teeth aren't coming through how they should, and this pup needs to have his gums cut to allow for normal protrusion. Now, this is her interpretation. She took the pup to her vet, and he said to go to a doggie dentist. I have placed a call to a local vet that, coincidently, just spoke at my dad's dog club...so, I am waiting on his call. In the meantime, I ask:

anyone ever heard of this? Have a rough ball park figure of costs? Cause, I want to use it to 'encourage' the pup's current owner to give him up. Anyone know if it is a problem with St. Bs? I have another call in to a local breeder here...but, waiting is not my strong suit.

Thanks, Doggie people, and I take back all the dog jokes I usually make about you all!!

Johanna

[luckies4me]

Awww I think you should adopt him! He sounds so cute and if he needed a home, what better one than yours right?



I adore Saint Bernards. I know they have doggie braces but they are pretty expensive. Is there a university around you? They usually have vets in practice who could do it cheaper. Just a thought. Well if you do convince her please keep us updated!


How old is this cute little guy?

[Logan]

I have never heard of such a thing, Johanna, but that doesn't mean anything!!

I would certainly investigate further. Sounds like this baby giant could use a pet loving person like you!!!

[Cataholic]

According to the lady, he is six months. She told me, "but, he is so big"...hello? St. Bernard? Typical of the breed, eh?

I am just curious about the costs of the surgery. And, then, I feel bad cause he must be experienceing some discomfort...teething, without relief, essentially. She was tellling me she got him from a breeder, and he doesn't have 'freckles'...and really, I don't know much about the standard of the breed, so I didn't know what to say. My dad told me he thought it was a coloration pattern, and he would call a local breeder...again, waiting, waiting, waiting.

Plus, this woman said I had to call back tonight to find out, "for sure" if she was going to give him up. I wanted to know the cost to have more ammunition to encourage her to give him up, since it doesn't sound ideal.....UGH!!!

[luckies4me]

Well braces cost around 2000 maybe? But that doesn't seem like his problem...his teeth just wont come to root? He must be in a lot of pain if they cannot break through. Poor guy.



You have to consider the cost of the initial visit, if he needs to be seen by a specialist, cost of anastehia (can't spell today) recovery time, boarding fees...I would assume at least a few hundred if he needs dental surgery. Can you call around and get a quote from a local vet? Maybe look online about this?

[Karen]

Saints often have crooked teeth bottom, but if it's something simple, not braces, but cutting the gums under anesthesia, I'd ask a vet-dentist about it. None of our Saints needed their gums cut, just lotsa chew toys.

If you don't mind drool, oh, take him! There's not much sweeter, but I'd be interested in a vet's opinion on his teeth. If he's not going to be a show dog, I doubt braces would be necessary, though if his jaw is too crowded, he may need some teeth pulled (which I can sympathize with, I had teeth yanked for the same reason, but then braces, too, to straighten out what I had left).

[Cataholic]

2000

I would think it would be close to that, hopefully not more. I may contact a St. B rescue organization...and wait on the info I have requested from the dental vet. Sheesh. The poor pup, just what I think, too.

I know he would be happy at my house....but, we will see if it is to be, right?

[Cataholic]

Hi Karen,
I didn't see your post before I responded to Luckies. I was thinking along the same lines...no braces...I wouldn't show him, well, confirmation, anyhow. I would prolly get involved with obedience and agility...since my dad is WAY into it. I figure if he can do obedience/agility/field work with Boxers (of all the stubborn guys out there...is there any worse? ), surely a St. B can do the same! Can you imagine a St. B doing the cat walk or teeter totter? what an image.

I will wait on the calls, and see what this woman says tonight. I intend to apply my 'skills'...he he he...as some of you doggie people might know, I am in the (il)legal field. I will be sure to update you all tomorrow, and here is to hoping for a positive update~

[Karen]

I just spoke to a veterinary dentist. The person who answered the phone had never heard of this surgery, but the vet dentist herself said that it is very very uncommon surgery, but it is done.

She said that 6 months is too young to really worry about this, especially in a large breed, to give his teeth at least a couple more months to try to come in on their own.

If it eventually needs to be done, the biggest cost is for x-rays, to see if there are actually teeth THERE, and the surgery itself is not major surgery.

[luckies4me]

Well don't get too excited yet lol, like Karen said he may not need braces. I really don't know too much about dog teeth for a Saint but that is just an option. Som epeople do it anywa!


I'm sure there are a lot more people here that know more than I. Hopefully he won't need surgery though and like Karen said he will just need teethers? But if his teeth aren't in already that seems a little odd....


Hope all goes well!

[Karen]

Oh, and as another aside/reason for rescuing this big galoot, our first St. Bernard loooooved kitties, thought they were her friends. Bruni, Dad's current St Bernard, thinks they're interesting, but just as a curiosity, not as lunch or a chew toy.

Most Saints I've known have almost zero prey drive, so your tuxies wouldn't have to worry on that score!

Some Saints have more freckles than others, I was not aware of it being a fault either way.

[luckies4me]

Karen do you mean doggie braces? They do have them, they are just rare. They had a special on Animal Planet about it, it was very interesting.


See Karen knows more than I do lol. I haven't had a big dog for a while. Morgan is the biggest dog I have had since I was 4!


I do hope you can persuade her to give him up. She sounds pretty dense with her remark about how big he is . What was she expecting, a miniature poodle? hehe

[Dakota's Mommy]

Oh, can't wait to hear what's going on with this situation! Wow, no dog to a St. B! They seem like great dogs though. I've always loved them and would love to have one on here to get to see pics of all the time (LOL)! Anyways, keep us updated!

[Cataholic]

Hello, cutie pie!

[luckies4me]

OMG OMG OMG! Is that him? He is so adorable!!!!!


Ok gotta get off of PT now lol. I'll check back later. Gotta clean the boys cage...yuck!