Pogo getting a dental - need opinions

[Lisa]

Pogo is 15 and he needs a dental. I am very torn on this. I know not doing a dental can shorten his life, but at the same time doing the dental can end his life.

What is the oldest any of you have had a dog go under anesthesia?

We are going to do all the pre-blood work and a full once over by his vet to make sure, but I am very nervous about this. I also know waiting is not really an option either. He is getting older and his teeth are getting worse as I delay out of fear.

[lotsadox]

Bogart went under when he was about 14 for a dental. I was scared sh*tless but he had some bad problems we had to address and was very healthy otherwise. Cash needs one but he's 15 with a heart murmur and there is no way I'm taking the chance. The vet agrees that odds are good he wouldn't come out of it so we're just going to do what we can and see what happens.

I think that Miller was 12 or 13 when I had his done.

[Alex's Mom]

Oh boy. Maxe had dentals right up to the end of her life, in spite of her CHF. Alex didn't after about 11 (her teeth were really good though). Heidi and Ferk both had them just before I got them (when Ferk lost all her teeth), so at 11 and 12 (12 & 13? ). Bussy had one at 11, and Jules and James had them at 9. But Jules had other major surgery almost til she died (at 12), which wasn't from the surgery! It's a hard one to call, Lisa. If his heart's not too bad, and his teeth are, I'd go ahead. I've seen the results of bad teeth (Wen) and it ain't good. Also potential for a lot of pain in his mouth if not sorted. I'd see what the vet says and go from there.

[Kasianni]

No clue at all if this is an option where you are but it can not hurt to look into it. I think this site is in the US, but I know they do it here in Canada as well. Not sure about the pro's and con's but have a look. http://petdentalservices.com/

[Two Red Smooth's]

Rocky did well up until this last year with getting dental (we know he was at least 14...but possibly older).

I'm just going to send you a and as you think about your decision, not an easy topic for me yet to talk about.

[Lisa]

Thanks Kasia. Not drugged is not an option. Pogo is quite an...ummm....jerk when he is having anything done to him. nails, teeth, etc.

But that might be a great option for Pixel.

[oceangirls]

Whole Dog Journal had an article where they talked about the dentals where they don't sedate... I was surprised that they did not recommend them. It sounds like they can't do too much without sedating. Might depend what the dog needs, though. Like maybe it's good for a deep cleaning, but not if the dog actually has a bad tooth.

As far as Pogo, man I don't know what to think. Absolutely a full blood panel and physical. Also, I'd say make sure you trust this vet implicitly. Have they given him anesthesia before? How has he done with it? Dentals can also liberate bacteria into the bloodstream and sometimes cause a heart infection, so sometimes a pre procedure dose of antibiotic will be used if the teeth are very bad and/or there are any heart problems.

Cass has been over anesthetized twice by our previous vet (over anesthetized, or the wrong drugs, or both). That may have caused her first episode of pancreatitis... and her respiratory condition. She has since been anesthetized twice by specialists who do it OFTEN, and has done wonderfully. Like night and day.

So that would be my main recommendation - make sure whoever is doing it has lots of experience and expertise.

Kirk just asked me what I was typing and gave the exact same advice .

Rayz for you and your little one ~~~. I know this is so hard!!!

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[lotsadox]

Thanks for the info about dentals putting bacteria into the bloodstream, Kim. I have a very slight heart murmur and wondered why dentists used to ask me if I had to pre-medicate before procedures.

Dentals and old dogs are really a dilemma. It's so hard to decide which is most dangerous for them because that's really what it comes down to. *sigh* Sometimes there seem to be no good choices.

[BeauBuddy]

Engli had a dental at 14 and did fine. I decided that if she were going to live longer (we all hope for that don't we?) that her mouth would be comfortable and having her mouth cleaned up was a very good way to have her live longer!