Puppy teething?

ashbart

My Ridgeback puppy is just over 8 months old and I think he is 'teething.' Over the last week, he has refused a carrot and rawhide on separate occassions (both of which he loves) and he sometimes seems to be a bit slower when eating his meals (Hills Large puppy).

Every now and then, he whinges a little but there seems to be no reason. He is still fine in himself so don't think there is anything else to worry about.

Do puppies get pain from teething and is there anything that can help?

Thanks in advance!

Paradigm

I've never experienced any of my pups behaving like this solely due to teething....that's not to say it doesn't happen!

I've always found they chew anything when teething

A quick checkup by the vet may be a good idea just to be sure.

foreign_correspondent

yeah, chewing everything and anything is the norm, esp at the age of your lad. I think a vets visit may be in order - are you sure he doesnt have any broken teeth or damage to his mouth?

hethmar

Pretty sure mine had all their grown up teeth by 8 months. I can remember one coming out on my hand, lol when Ralph was playing with me, so he must have been a lot younger than 8 months.

Definitely see the vet, he may have something caught in his mouth that needs sorting.

lisawood78

Yup, all mine had got all their adult teeth long before 8 months.
I'd recommend a vet trip to make sure there is nothing untoward, like something stuck in his mouth, abcess or broekn tooth.
Hope it goes ok.

ashbart

Thanks for your replies!
He hasn't been chewing anything else - I have checked his mouth and I can see a few teeth that are still coming through so, that's why I thought it might be teething...
Other than the random few minutes at a time, he is fine - playful, etc.

I guess if he doesn't improve over the next day or so, I should see the vet... Our vet can be very condescending sometimes, especially when it something like this where "we're not sure if it's normal..." :mad:

Thanks again!

hethmar

Well, you are paying him so dont worry about it

Ive just read that there are a few breeds whose teeth are as late as 7 or 8 months, so may be your boy is one of those. Its just I cant ever remember one of my dogs showing any pain when theres came through?

I guess you have had a good look. But I just thought, Ralph a year or so ago was pawing at his mouth and I couldnt see anything but as it continued I sat him down and opened his mouth wide and a nugget of his dry food had stuck in a little gap between two teeth. Once I managed to lever it out (and blow me, it was stuck fast) he was fine. It may be something as simple as that.

ashbart

Thanks hethmar! Will have another look tonight as previously, I've been fosucing on the teeth coming in as I just figured that's what it was! Didn't think to look in between, around, etc..! If only he could just speak and tell me what was wrong!! Haha!!!

foreign_correspondent

...check the rook of his mouth for damage, or anything being stuck too - you dont throw sticks for him to fetch at all do you? some horrible injuries can be caused by sticks, from dogs getting splinters stuck in their mouths to some very serious injuries to the roof of the mouth and throat.

hethmar

Oh yes, stick throwing, when I whinge about it to people they think Im just an old f**t but Ive heard of a dog actually dying when he got the stick in his mouth but the other end stuck in the ground and of course the sharp end went up through the roof of his mouth and killed him

Check round the outside of his gums too up the top of the gum line as Ive had them get things stuck there too.

zee_2

any wood a no no ,not worth risk if you love dog and doubt health see vet , advice here helpfull but why risk dog , I have alsatian 9 month pup ,it took 3 weeks to persuade her to stop picking up sticks in garden , I used small dried food as treat when she dropped stick and chased a burst leather football ,most vets have evening surgeries if your at work.