Should I get my Dog's teeth cleaned?

[solobiker]

Here is a little background. My dog is almost 12 years old. She has had her teeth cleaned at the Vets only 1 other time, about 5 years ago. As you know they have to put dogs under for this procedure. The Vet has recommended that she gets her teeth cleaned again. Shoni ( my dog) is relatively healthy, I am just concerned that she may have a hard time with this procedure includding the anesthesia because she is older. Has anyone here with an older pet had issues with this? Any adivice would be great. She is the love of my DH's and my life.

[makbike]

As with any procedure there is some risk involved but the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to most dental procedures, IMO. Given your buddy's age I would recommend bloodwork prior to the procedure this will allow the vet to see how the internal organs are functioning. Ask them what type of anesthetic they use (Iso is wonderful). A good dental will do wonders for the heart, liver and kidneys for it will help prevent the spread of nasty bacteria to these organs. The most obvious reason though is healthy teeth and gums - imagine what your mouth would be like if you went long periods between cleanings and check ups.

Years ago I had an old diabetic cat, Scooter, who suffered from kidney and heart disease (diagnosed at age 8). I had his teeth cleaned annually and he did well each time. This may have been overkill in some eyes but I was of the mindset that his annual cleanings were saving his internal organs. He lived to be 17. I'll never know if this really helped but I believe it did.

[solobiker]

She already had her blood test for heart worm and they took extra to check her levels. My DH got the call from the Vet and they said her Kidneys had slight abnormal levels but that she could still undergo the teeth cleaning procedure and that the would just have to use a different kind of anesthesia. I am just concerned. I know people are different then dogs/pets, but I work in health care with the geriatric population and have seen many struggle after having anesthesia.
I am torn..Clean teeth/gums to decrease risk of bacteria spreadig to her organs vs the anesthesia risks.

Thank for your replies

[Tri Girl]

I posted then deleted my post. I think I was too wordy.
I have a 14 year old cocker. She has a heart arrhythmia and is mostly deaf and blind. Her teeth need cleaning, but I won't do it. For me, it's not worth the risk. She's probably got a couple years left in her, but I'm afraid the trauma (emotionally and physically) of the anesthesia just isn't worth it- for either of us.

[Possegal]

I had a kitty that had really bad teeth. What can I say, I got her when I was a poor struggling grad student then a post-doc didn't pay much either. Her teeth were a mess and she had just been diagnosed with chronic renal failure, she was about 13. They did the tests to be sure she could handle it after I spent a couple months giving her fluids to help her with the kidney failure. In the end, they did the cleaning and she felt so much better. They joked that she was the only renal failure cat they had who gained weight. That was all due to the fact that she felt so much better with her teeth cleaned (and a couple pulled). She lived 6+ more years with the renal failure, and I'm sure the cleaning helped her do so well. Though I will admit that as we went along, I declined to do another cleaning because I worried about the risk/benefit ratio with her.

[Tokie]

I too had a rather feeble old dog with no apparent dental ailments have his teeth cleaned by the vet. He had an improved appetite, and really clearly felt better afterwards. Sometimes the gum/dental disease is very hard to detect /treat unless the pet is anesthetised. And we brush our dogs' teeth 2X a day with Petrodex dog toothpaste, and they still need the vet dental cleanings. Tokie

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The best thing is to have the pet's kidney function tested first before any dental anesthesia. Then, the vet can use inhaled gas anesthesia, which leaves the animal's system much more quickly than intravenous anesthesia, and is not processed through the kidneys. The gas poses less strain on the kidneys than the drip.

[Thorn]

Been there...two cats, one with kidney problems and the other with numerous intestinal issues. I had their dental work done. After having a cat with feline leukemia I came to the decision that with our pets it is quality of life, not quantity.

Perhaps it is cruel to say, but since both had dental issues--if an elderly, not quite so healthy animal can get no pleasure from eating, is that still quality of life? It was still a hard decision, but I felt it better that we take the risk than they live whatever time they could, but with painful teeth. It turned out well.

That said, I did refuse a tumor removal surgery on my feline leukemia cat. The tumor was near his knee. They had tried to remove it 6 months earlier, but it returned. The incision was hard to heal and he was very uncomfortable. Perhaps that shortened his life, but the time he had left he could still attack his felt mice. If we had done the surgery I doubt he'd have had the mobility. Trade offs.

[badger]

I knew my aged dog really needed his teeth cleaned and/or have some removed as I know they were in really bad shape. But he was so old that the vet didn't think it would be safe for him to be anesthetized. I felt badly for him because I know his teeth were bothering him. It was a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

People still get their senior animals' teeth cleaned, just make sure you do all the proper blood panels beforehand to make sure she'll be okay to go under. When my 14 year old cat needed surgery for an injury, they wouldn't put her under unless they had the blood panel. She came out with flying colours.

[Heifzilla]

If her teeth are in bad shape, that can actually contribute to health issues, so cleaning them is a good idea.

How long ago did your vet pull blood? If it has been more than 3 months, I would have it done again. 12 is a geriatric dog and even though for a human 3 months isn't long, it is for a dog, especially an older one. I know it costs money but a blood panel can tell the vet so many things, especially since her kidneys have already shown some issues.

In general, anesthesia is safe and your vet wouldn't not suggest it if he or she didn't feel it was going to be safe for your dog. Of course, there are always risks, but there is risk in everything.

Good luck and good for you for being a good dog mom by asking questions.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I posted then deleted my post. I think I was too wordy.
I have a 14 year old cocker. She has a heart arrhythmia and is mostly deaf and blind. Her teeth need cleaning, but I won't do it. For me, it's not worth the risk. She's probably got a couple years left in her, but I'm afraid the trauma (emotionally and physically) of the anesthesia just isn't worth it- for either of us.

I'm with TriGirl here b/c i've been in the same position. I had a older cocker too that I knew needed it, but I didn't want to put her through it at her advanced age. She got to pass peacefully of old age...and I didn't once regret not chancing the prophy. Risks weren't worth it to me either.

That said though.. I have a 7yr old cocker that JUST had a full prophy done 2 weeks ago. My 8yr old needs it too and I'll prob have that done soon.

When age and certain health factors aren't present, I'd have it done. Hate putting them under, but it really is better for them than dental disease (which can affect the heart, etc)

(ps - not intending to hijack...but TriGirl...another Okie/cyclist/cocker owner! yea!)

[solobiker]

She just had blood work done last week to check for heart worm and they had enough to check her kidney function. That came back slightly abnormal. The Vet said she would use a different type of anesthesia due to Shoni's kidney issues. I do know her teeth are getting bad. Other then that she is pretty darn healthy. Most people don't even know she is 12, they always think she is a puppy by how she acts.

[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