Teeth extractions for old greyhound

emiliah

Hi
We have a 12 year old rescue greyhound. His teeth were in pretty bad condition when we got him and a couple of years ago he had 26 removed.
I was checking his teeth today and the two large top incisors have blackened at the top and the gums are red. I'm going to ring the vet for an appointment, but am fairly sure they will want to extract them, and I am very worried, as they said previously he has an irregular heart beat. This, plus his age make me very concerned he may not make it through the anesthetic.
I wondered if anyone knew if vets ever do extractions using just local anesthetic rather than general?
My husband doesn't even want me to get in touch with the vets as he doesn't think he will make it through, but i can't bear to think he might be in pain.
He's eating really well, and has dentastix every day, but these probably only help the few back teeth he has.
Any comments greatly appreciated.

krlyr

Definately see a vet. As you say, he may be in pain - and a gum infection could spread to the blood and become very serious. At this stage, you don't even know if surgery is necessary.

Medication has come on leaps and bounds and the vet will take his age and health into consideration. I know Greyhounds can struggle with regular anaesthetic so a different kind tends to be used, with a reversal given post-op to minimise the risk of issues.
http://www.ngap.org/greyhound-health-what-vet-should-know-y434.html
http://www.grassmere-animal-hospital.com/gh_anesthesia.htm

It might put your mind at ease to join a Greyhound specific forum or Facebook group and get a recommendation for a local vet with exerience of the breed. Perhaps ask the rescue he came from for a recommendation too, if they're local.

emiliah

Thanks krlyr for your reply.

I have done as you suggested and posted on a greyhound specific forum.
I must admit that reading the articles on greyhounds and anesthtic has probably increased my concerns, but am just going to have to make an appointment and hope for the best.

PollyOnAMission

Has the vet ever said that his irregular heartbeat is cause for concern, and has it ever been assessed by a sighthound expert vet? I ask because it is very common for whippets, greyhounds and other sighthounds to have irregular heartbeats that cause them no problems.

With respect to anesthetic, I am told that these have come on a long way in recent years and are now much safer for sighthounds (I have whippets so share the same concerns).

I agree that it is best to get him seen by a vet, ideally one who specialises in sighthounds, and talk through the options. He may not require an extraction but an infection could cause him problems; the vet will be able to discuss all of this with you. Try not to panic if you can.

UKTigerlily

I would say three things

1) He had anaesthetic before to remove 26, did he have the irregular heartbeat then?
2) His teeth could be painful or cause further problems with infection etc so if the vet thinks it's best I personally would take the risk rather than let him suffer & he may not even need a dental
3) I've never heard of one done under a local, I think because the dog would need restraining also then & would be distressed, they aren't like us & won't sit still with mouth open while vets fiddle (hell even some humans aren't keen)

emiliah

thanks for you replies.

I have made an appointment for him.

When he had the previous teeth out there wasn't any mention of an irregular heart beat, but I am sure the vet will take everything into consideration, and hopefully if he has to have an extraction is might just be the 2 teeth, so he wouldn't be under for too long.

I

Artytarty

Maybe they might do it under a heavy sedation, so he is just very drowsy. Our old collie had a nasty growth on her lip removed under a local anaesthetic and a sedative, not G.A.
all the best with your appointment.

Toothsmith

There is no way you could take teeth out under local for an animal.

Getting the local in would be difficult and traumatic enough never mind taking the teeth out. It would be way too cruel to even try.

Dog must go to the vet and let the vet decide what is best.