Canine tartar scraper

_Andy_

Good morning all

Had a bit of a Google with no joy aside from American Amazon site.

Does anyone know where I can obtain a tartar scraper-thing to use on a dog?

Cheers

Silveralice

Your vet can order one for you from their equipment supplier, or specialist grooming companies sell them through their stands at larger dog shows. They cost somewhere between £10-20, depending.

getthemax

My dog seems to get quite severe build-ups of tartar relatively quickly, but our other dog didn't, she always had immaculate teeth.

Anyhow, you have a free tartar scraper in your pocket probably. Just use a £1 coin and flick the tartar off away from the gum. It takes a bit of practice and you have to have a co-operative dog, but it works a treat.

moomin5

I got one off this ebay dental instrument store, for about £5 which i'm sure was sold for dogs, probably best to message them.

hethmar

Blimey, didnt know you could do this! One of mine has terrible tartar build up, Ive tried all sorts like Plaque Off to no avail (the other dog has perfect teeth, so its obviously a genetic thing). I asked the vet about it last week when he went for his boosters and health check and she said that it would have to be removed under general anaesthetic, which I really wouldnt want to do.

So can you really do this yourself at home people?

Silveralice

You can in some dogs, if they'll let you and it hasn't got too bad, but bear in mind that a dental at the vet's also includes polishing afterwards to remove the tiny scratches caused by the descaler, which won't happen if you do it yourself at home. If there is thick tartar on all teeth it really needs a GA to remove - hand descaling just helps with minor debris around the back teeth, in my experience.

getthemax

hethmar wrote: »

Blimey, didnt know you could do this! One of mine has terrible tartar build up, Ive tried all sorts like Plaque Off to no avail (the other dog has perfect teeth, so its obviously a genetic thing). I asked the vet about it last week when he went for his boosters and health check and she said that it would have to be removed under general anaesthetic, which I really wouldnt want to do.

So can you really do this yourself at home people?

I didn't like my dog going to the vets for a teeth clean. He's getting on a bit now and I want to keep the anaesthetics that he has to a minimum. The last time he went in for this it was back just as bad in a couple of years, despite using Plague Off and a healthy diet. Our other dog who was on the same diet always had immaculate teeth.

He's not the easiest to get to co-operate (an active Border Collie), but flicking the tartar off with a £1 coin works a treat and is very satisfying

thistledome

I've been dithering about getting this done for ages. I want my dog's teeth cleaned (and I also would like the vet to check for disease/infections/abcesses etc) but I fear the GA

His mouth really stinks too. I've tried brushing his teeth and washing his mouth and face but it still reeks. He is very uncooperative and hates anyone looking in his mouth so the tooth brushing is pretty ineffectual at best.

He's 8 in August.

Just how dangerous is the risk of a GA, as in % of deaths approx.? As far as I know he's in otherwise good health and not fat.

_Andy_

getthemax wrote: »

flicking the tartar off with a £1 coin works a treat and is very satisfying

I get a huge satisfaction out of getting a cotton bud and scraping earwax out of my hounds ears lol

Frugalista

hethmar wrote: »

Blimey, didnt know you could do this! One of mine has terrible tartar build up, Ive tried all sorts like Plaque Off to no avail (the other dog has perfect teeth, so its obviously a genetic thing). I asked the vet about it last week when he went for his boosters and health check and she said that it would have to be removed under general anaesthetic, which I really wouldnt want to do.

So can you really do this yourself at home people?

Damn - just lost long reply :mad:.

Yes, you can. We have always done our own dogs as we show them regularly. However, you have to get them used to it slowly, as trying to use a scraper on a struggling dog is impossible, if not dangerous. We use double ended scrapers which we got from the USA - they are angled for each side of the mouth. The blade of the scraper is quite sharp and will slice the dogs gum, cheek or your finger should the dog try to fight it :eek:.

Lay your dog flat on a grooming table - a coffee table or sofa will do at a push. Put your thumb into the corner of the mouth under the lip and stretch it right back. Starting at the back place the blade of the scraper against the edge of the tartar and flick/flake it off in little chunks. You can slide the blade just under the edge of the gum to get at the edge of the tartar - dogs gums don't seem to be as tight at the edges as ours, for some reason :huh:. Their gums do bleed very easily though, just be aware - but don't be too alarmed.

Some dogs will let you do all their mouth in one session :A - others like a play break every couple of teeth - and some will only allow one or two in a session. Don't turn it into a battle - as they have to lie completely still, I usually let them dictate the pace. At the next session you can always try to get one extra tooth in - then lots of praise for your dog for being so good. We usually finish off with a quick swipe of LOGIC ORAL around the gums.

As you have already noticed hethmar, their teeth can vary enormously (just like humans) despite following the exact same regime - there is definately a genetic influence.

The above has worked for us for years. At one show the judge wouldn't belive that our old boy was 12 years old because "his teeth belonged in the mouth of a 6 year old" :rotfl::rotfl:

HTH .

hethmar

Many thanks for that, not sure Im strong enough to undertake it myself, but OH may be ok (I cant even do their nails as one bled very slightly once and I nearly had a heart attack thinking Id hurt him).

Ralph has had dodgey teeth before he was even 18 months old. He is now 5. Diggs, my little stray border terrier has beautiful teeth, despite a very shakey background bless him.

Yes, its interesting that my old Connie, rottie/lab was 16 when she went and her teeth were absolutely perfect, pure white no brown stains at all. Our little ex breeding JR !!!!! Lucy had to have 6 teeth out the year she came to us (aged 5) and had problems with them for the rest of her life - NOW, Ralph (who was disabled at birth) was actually out of the same breeder as Lucy - Im guessing a lot of close interbreeding went on and the duff teeth is inherited by all of the kennel. (now closed).