How often do your dogs have their teeth cleaned at the vets?

[gardengirl]

After losing a dog while under, and because of the anesthesia, I try never to do anything under anesthesia unless it's absolutely necessary. So, I brush Bailey's teeth everyday, religiously. If there is ever a need for surgery, I always ask the vet to clean his teeth as well. That way, I don't put him under for just teeth cleaning. Bailey has teeth that build up tartar very quickly, and brushing them daily really keeps it under control.

[caseysmom]

After reading about the chewing helping I came home with bully sticks for both the dogs...they looked at me like what the heck am I suppose to do with that....

I thought anasthesia was a lot safer now, gardengirl how long ago did you lose your dog from anasthesia? I am sorry you went through that how sad.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Winston had his first cleaning last year, and second about a week ago. He has weird pockets behind his back molars though that need to be cleaned out professionally. None of our other dogs have ever had to have theirs cleaned.

[IRescue452]

Just picked up a soup bone for Autumn today to shine up her chompers nice for her annual visit next week. The butcher gave me a real nice cut too for cheap. She'll get her treat in the morning though, don't want her having to go potty in the middle of the night.

[micki76]

I thought anasthesia was a lot safer now,

ANY time any living thing goes under, anything can happen. Our vet is fairly state of the art and is a major diagnostic center for the Dallas area. They give IV fluids for all surgeries, even dentals.

We just had Chester's teeth done 2 weeks ago for the first time and he's nearly 9. He lost a couple of teeth due to them being broken off. Not decay or anything, just broken from chewing hard things. My dogs always get lots of chewies, so they don't build up much tartar, but I could tell his teeth were bothering him. His vet did xrays and sure enough, the crowns were broken off with just the roots left.

We had Millie's done yesterday and it had been almost 6 years. Hers didn't have much build up either, but after Chester's issues, I just wanted to make sure.

Chester also had a few growths removed. He is acting like a 6 month old puppy now that he feels so much better. It's a hoot to watch him and Tucker actually playing!

[caseysmom]

Micki....my question remains, is it safer now. I weigh the risk of anasthesia versus the risk of gum disease. I think I am asking a valid question and I realize "anything can happen". The vet my daughter interns with told us that anesthesia is a lot safer now, hence my question.

[Giselle]

I would have to agree. Anesthesia is much safer now. There are new protocols and even highly susceptible breeds (i.e. Collies and Greyhounds) can undergo modern anesthesia safely.

IV fluids should definitely be used with dental patients. Of all common medical procedures, I would say that dentals usually take the longest time. Now, I'm talking about common medical procedures like spays, neuters, minor cyst/skin tag removals, etc. Dentals on a dog with bad teeth could easily run up to an hour or more, especially if you're removing molars or canines. Spays and neuters, on the other hand, merely last around 15-20 minutes at most and some clinics offer IV fluids as an option.

[caseysmom]

I would have to agree. Anesthesia is much safer now. There are new protocols and even highly susceptible breeds (i.e. Collies and Greyhounds) can undergo modern anesthesia safely.

IV fluids should definitely be used with dental patients. Of all common medical procedures, I would say that dentals usually take the longest time. Now, I'm talking about common medical procedures like spays, neuters, minor cyst/skin tag removals, etc. Dentals on a dog with bad teeth could easily run up to an hour or more, especially if you're removing molars or canines. Spays and neuters, on the other hand, merely last around 15-20 minutes at most and some clinics offer IV fluids as an option.

Thats a good point I didn't think of the time issue, of course the risk of them waking would be less so the dose could probably be lower, or at least not as devastating during a dental.

[bckrazy]

Never... so far. : )

Gonzo is almost 7, and his teeth are pretty much spotless since he's been eating Raw. Fozzie has unbelievably white teeth, but he's just now turning 2.

Knuckle bones are FANTASTIC, and that's all I gotta say.

[Spiritwind]

Thats a good point I didn't think of the time issue, of course the risk of them waking would be less so the dose could probably be lower, or at least not as devastating during a dental.

At both vet hospitals I have worked at, the animals were kept on gas (ISO) while the dentals or surgeries were done.... so if the animal would start to wake or start to move alittle they would increase the ISO... and wait till the animal was back down (usually just a few seconds) and start up again...

[Danegirl2208]

never..my dogs get enough raw meaty bones in their diet that their teeth stay nice and clean.

[Jessika]

I've had two vets tell me my pups are both due for a teeth cleaning, but it's just so expensive... though the vet we go to now is a really cool guy and relatively inexpensive, it's such a relief, my in-laws have a personal relationship with him so he doesn't even charge us for office visits, just for meds or stuff used during a check-up. $13 total to get Double-Oh his shot for worms.

When Jamie goes in for her spay she may get her's cleaned, but Charlie's are really bad, I think his gums are actually infected; I need to start giving them bones more often than I already do

I feel so bad but... it's SOOOO expensive, hopefully it isn't so bad at our new vet (I haven't asked him about quotes yet).

[Catlady711]

I've had two vets tell me my pups are both due for a teeth cleaning, but it's just so expensive... though the vet we go to now is a really cool guy and relatively inexpensive, it's such a relief, my in-laws have a personal relationship with him so he doesn't even charge us for office visits, just for meds or stuff used during a check-up. $13 total to get Double-Oh his shot for worms.

When Jamie goes in for her spay she may get her's cleaned, but Charlie's are really bad, I think his gums are actually infected; I need to start giving them bones more often than I already do

I feel so bad but... it's SOOOO expensive, hopefully it isn't so bad at our new vet (I haven't asked him about quotes yet).

I'd recommend calling Monday morning and get at least a price quote. Bad teeth can cause a bunch of other health problems, although you probably already know that. I'd just hate to have anything bad happen to your pets because of bacteria in the bloodstream from bad teeth.

Can't hurt anything to call at least. Keep us posted.

[bckrazy]

I need to start giving them bones more often than I already do

It won't hurt to try!

Knuckle bones are the absolute best for teeth cleaning. Make sure you buy the ones that are meaty and covered in cartilege. The shape of it, and the cartilege, are really perfect for cleaning all of the teeth... even the incisors and canines. Your dog has to rip with the front teeth, and gnaw the cartilege with the molars. It definitely works better than any other bones I know of, but be VERY careful, supervise, and remove the bone if either of your pups seems to be chewing too vigorously or they get down to a small piece of bone.

Here's a picture, for an example of one. Not to be confused with marrow bones - ugh. I really don't like that marrow bones are so bare, and Fozzie once got a marrow bone stuck over his teeth! Never again.

[Jessika]

It won't hurt to try!

Knuckle bones are the absolute best for teeth cleaning. Make sure you buy the ones that are meaty and covered in cartilege. The shape of it, and the cartilege, are really perfect for cleaning all of the teeth... even the incisors and canines. Your dog has to rip with the front teeth, and gnaw the cartilege with the molars. It definitely works better than any other bones I know of, but be VERY careful, supervise, and remove the bone if either of your pups seems to be chewing too vigorously or they get down to a small piece of bone.

Here's a picture, for an example of one. Not to be confused with marrow bones - ugh. I really don't like that marrow bones are so bare, and Fozzie once got a marrow bone stuck over his teeth! Never again.

We usually pick up a pack of uncooked "soup bones" when we go to the grocery store, which contain some marrow and they're relatively cheap, around $1.50 a pack for two larger to four smaller bones. What are your bones "labeled" as because I have the hardest time finding UNCOOKED bones in my area...