Should I get my Dog's teeth cleaned?

[smurfalicious]

Hey Solo we have an anesthesia free tooth cleaning clinic at our store in Boulder every few months. I think it's around $125-$150 and the feedback has been awesome. I believe the gal also works out of one of the local vets offices. I can try and get you her info.

Also, I believe smaller dog right? Raw chicken necks are awe-haw-some for cleaning teeth. And that size is great for smaller dogs. My dogs are about 7 and 9 and they have amazing teeth because they get raw bones all the time, and eat a diet of about 50% raw.

[jesvetmed]

Solobiker: If you have it done, since the kidneys are marginal, please make sure they use IV fluids while she is under. This helps to maintain blood flow to the kidneys while under anesthesia (otherwise, the gas (or other anesthesia) causes the blood pressures to drop, and the kidneys do not receive the blood they should). This can contribute / worsen kidney problems that may already be present.

If the teeth are bad, cleaning may not be the only issues... they could find some that are infected and need extraction. If this is true, getting it all taken care of can really make them feel so much better! And without any anesthesia, this simply could not be found or dealt with.

It's always hard to know the right recommendation in a geriatric pet. I even struggle with it with my own (she is 12). I'm planning to get it done soon, though.

Nothing like fresh doggy kisses that don't make your nose curl
Good Luck.

[Heifzilla]

Hey Solo we have an anesthesia free tooth cleaning clinic at our store in Boulder every few months. I think it's around $125-$150 and the feedback has been awesome. I believe the gal also works out of one of the local vets offices. I can try and get you her info.

Also, I believe smaller dog right? Raw chicken necks are awe-haw-some for cleaning teeth. And that size is great for smaller dogs. My dogs are about 7 and 9 and they have amazing teeth because they get raw bones all the time, and eat a diet of about 50% raw.

First of all, an anesthesia-free dental will NOT get the teeth clean under the gum line, and all the bacteria there will continue to breed and can cause a ton of health issues. Secondly, during this anesthesia-free dental, are the teeth being polished after being scaled? If not, then within 24 hours the bacteria have already colonized the crevices and tiny little scrapes left by the scaling, and while the teeth may look clean and shiny, they aren't really any better than if you hadn't gotten a dental done at all. There is a good reason why the teeth are polished after a dental and it's not just to make the teeth sparkle. And honestly, there is simply NO way to get a true and proper dental done if the animal is not anesthestized. I don't care what these people doing these "dentals" say, you simply CANNOT get into all the crevices and crannies and under the gums while the animal is awake. These are not humans who will open wide for you. Believe me when I say if it could really be done, vets would be ALL over it.

Third, I am all for raw diets. However, too many people that feed them do not feed them correctly and feed diets that consist solely of necks and wings because these are cheap cuts. There has to be meaty pieces in there: breasts, thighs, etc., or you run the risk of blockages from the bones. The necks and wings are simply not meaty enough. Please, if you are going to feed raw, make sure to feed plenty of *meaty* cuts, too. I have seen way too many blockages come through the clinic from people who think they are feeding a great raw diet and since they are only feeding necks and wings, their animals block up. Done properly, a raw diet is a great way to keep teeth clean and animals healthy and regular. I'm not saying never feed necks or wings, just make sure to make those the smallest part of the diet. Just make sure to research raw diets well before throwing some chicken parts to your dogs.

Off my soapbox now

[smurfalicious]

Third, I am all for raw diets. However, too many people that feed them do not feed them correctly and feed diets that consist solely of necks and wings because these are cheap cuts. There has to be meaty pieces in there: breasts, thighs, etc., or you run the risk of blockages from the bones. The necks and wings are simply not meaty enough.

You'll note that I recommended them for supplemental feeding to help get her teeth clean a safe, natural way. I merely mentioned that my dogs teeth have also benefited from their raw diet for emphasis.

Further, I really don't place much stock in the opinion of conventional vets. I've seen the ingredients on the insanely overpriced "prescription" diets they pawn off on people and they make me sick. Not only are people paying too much for them, they're effectively buying corn flakes and hot dogs dressed in a little left overs from the brewery.

Feeding dogs recreational bones, or chicken necks is a great way to not end up needing the cleaning in the first place. I think that's valuable info for anyone who cares about their animals health. I didn't know that until a few years ago, and I'm glad I learned. Lucky, my terrier was supposed to have a cleaning and within two months on a raw diet her teeth were gorgeous and my vet was amazed.

I can understand being dubious of the anesthesia free cleaning but the gals that do it are amazing. We had multiple cats at the first clinic and you never would have known. So I imagine that after 8 years of school the gals that do the clinic are aware of what needs to be done and do so.

[Heifzilla]

Further, I really don't place much stock in the opinion of conventional vets. I've seen the ingredients on the insanely overpriced "prescription" diets they pawn off on people and they make me sick. Not only are people paying too much for them, they're effectively buying corn flakes and hot dogs dressed in a little left overs from the brewery.

...

I can understand being dubious of the anesthesia free cleaning but the gals that do it are amazing. We had multiple cats at the first clinic and you never would have known. So I imagine that after 8 years of school the gals that do the clinic are aware of what needs to be done and do so.

8 years of what? School for anesthesia-free dentals?

As for the prescription diets, people need to understand they are designed to treat a particular issue and they do it. Most people do not have the expertise, time, or nutritional education to be able to fix an appropriate diet for their animals with certain health issues. If someone does, then by all means they should make their own food. But the prescription diets have their place. They're not perfect but not much is in life.

[grey]

Chicken necks are not a bad idea, Smurf - I do want to advise a little caution on chicken - sometimes my dogs do not deal well with the cartilage, and puke it back up later (the bone is fine). And I agree with you on the packaged food... one of the biggest scams of our current day. I also agree with Hef that most people lack the nutritional education to figure out what it is their dog needs (let alone THEMSELVES). Good on you both for figuring out what it takes to keep your buddy healthy.

Something I'd like to add: if a dog is not used to raw, it takes a while for the body to adjust - even in a young dog, I'm told you can look forward to two weeks of the runs (mine didn't have this problem). I'm not sure I'd advocate doing this with an old dog whose teeth are in rough shape - you could *try* a large bone or so, since he'd have to work to get the meat off and likely wouldn't manage to ingest much of the bone itself, especially if his teeth are not feeling great.

Third, I am all for raw diets. However, too many people that feed them do not feed them correctly and feed diets that consist solely of necks and wings because these are cheap cuts. There has to be meaty pieces in there: breasts, thighs, etc., or you run the risk of blockages from the bones. The necks and wings are simply not meaty enough. Please, if you are going to feed raw, make sure to feed plenty of *meaty* cuts, too. I have seen way too many blockages come through the clinic from people who think they are feeding a great raw diet and since they are only feeding necks and wings, their animals block up. Done properly, a raw diet is a great way to keep teeth clean and animals healthy and regular. I'm not saying never feed necks or wings, just make sure to make those the smallest part of the diet. Just make sure to research raw diets well before throwing some chicken parts to your dogs.

Off my soapbox now

Seconded. I'm a raw feeder - yes it costs more to get pork, organ meat, beef and some of the bigger cuts, but it is NECESSARY in order to ensure the dog's health. Big, raw bones with marrow are also needed - they need the marrow in their diets.

My older dog is not geriatric at 7 years old - but her teeth are beautiful. A dogsitter got confused seeing some of the age in her face (hair from cornering a cat grew back in white) and tried to guess her age at three because her teeth are so pretty. It is work to keep dogs on a raw diet... but it is worth it.

[crazycanuck]

Solobiker, how is your doggie today?

[solobiker]

She is doing much better today. Her eyes are brighter and she is moving around with more energy. DH and I had given her a new stuffed animal the day she came home and she was not interested in it at all. Today she playing with it She is such a trooper. Thanks for asking!!

[greycoral]

I have mixed feeling about this. The practical part of me says not to do it, only because dogs have lived hundreds and thousands of years without getting their teeth cleaned. I don't even have dental insurance, why the heck would i pay for my DOG to get its teeth cleaned?

I realize it is important, but for older dogs, I don't believe it's worth the risk AT ALL. My 8 yr old Boston Terrier just died last week after having complications with the anesthesia after his dental They did a full blood panel, he was perfectly healthy before, and then was just gone. He didn't have any problems with his teeth at all, we had just been getting pressured by the vet to get it done. I would take it back in a heartbeat. I'd rather have a dog with no teeth than no dog at all.

[Tuckervill]

I'm sorry, grey...that is so sad and senseless.

I had my dog's teeth cleaned when he was already being sedated to have a cyst removed from his neck. He was 5 at the time, and I figure he's good for at least another 5 years.

Karen