Quoted £160 for dog teeth cleaning?

renegade

Is this about average cost?

My 5 yr old dog has had a stomach upset and his breath smelled vile the vet said he needed anasthetic to clean his teeth, he didn't even check his teeth.
He has dental chews and Arden Grange complete food, from what I can see his teeth are clean and no bad teeth?
I have not agreed to this as I think it is unneccessary to put my little dog under anasthetic, he is a lap dog and weighs 7lb5oz.

What do you think?

Johnny_Dangerously

Price is reasonable, and it's usual to put them under to do it, but no idea whether it's actually needed. If you aren't confident on the vet's diagnosis, then I'd go to another vet for a second opinion. Lots of causes of bad breath, but should be fairly evident in the gums and teeth if that is the cause.

stir_crazy

I was £150 for my cat to get his teeth cleaned. He's a maine coon, so about the same size as your dog.

rising_from_the_ashes

Average price here for a cat is around £400 so the price you've been quoted for your dog (which is probably around the size of some cats) seems good tbh

However I wouldn't do it without being sure it needs done - how can he know without looking at the teeth .... did you ask him?

KMR1984

How can he tell without looking?


We use vets4pets, my 9yr old Labrador went for a free dental check 2 weeks ago and 2 days later went in for a scale and polish. Cost was £100 with a £10 nail clip too. However, this was a special offer until the end of April. Usual price is £150 + the cost of any extractions (if necessary).


My biggest concern would be the fact he didn't even look at your dog's teeth.

GoldenShadow

That's a good price. Cost £200 to get my Chinese Crested's done (she's about 6kgs so similar size). As to whether its needed, can't say without seeing but I wouldn't put a dog under anaesthetic unless I really thought it needed it. Carmen had hers done because she was having her tail amputated and the breed have notoriously bad teeth. I wouldn't have wanted to put her under JUST for the teeth, she's 7 (a rescue, and sadly missing many teeth before she came to me!).

renegade

Thank you all for your replies.

I am going to get a second opinion as you all suggested, when I can find a reliable vet.

I am eligible for the PDSA which is why I went there , but I went because my dog has a problem with his back legs, he wasn't able to walk,climb or jump properly, his tummy was sore and whimpered when I touched it, his breath smelled really foul and he had diorherra.

The vet examined him physically, stretching his legs and feeling his tummy, had him walk up and down and prescribed Carprofen.
It was when I mentioned his foul breath( unusually foul) he said his teeth need cleaning under anesthetic and he would check him over whilst under for reasons for his lameness.

I was expecting him to say he would do an exray , which would have made more sense to me.

I have to admit, I was so taken aback by this as he was almost bullying me into paying £100-200 for the anesthetic.

He has made some improvement, but his legs or stomach muscles are not strong enough for him to jump up or climb stairs. The diorherra has cleared up, he is eating and drinking okay.

It is now 5am , had to get up as this is weighing on my mind and couldn't get back to sleep.

Hope this puts things in perspective.

rising_from_the_ashes

Ahhhhh ypu failed to mention it was pdsa in your earlier post - it wouldve been helpful to know that as of course the costs are going to be considerably cheaper than at a regular vet!

Glad he seems to be on the mend - do go for a check up if he doesnt regsin his strength in a couple of days and def seek a 2nd opinion re the teeth cleaning

hope he's 100% soon

Fosterdog

Poor boy, I hope he's feeling better soon.

The vet doesn't sound the best, hopefully the Carprophen will take take of the pain and sore stomach. The bad breath could be related to the bad stomach so I would give it a few more days and see if the smell gets better.

Is it possible he's eaten something he shouldn't have? All the symptoms fit in with a blockage, a vet can't always tell just from a physical exam and an X-ray is usually recommended.

Have you checked the teeth at all yourself? There will be loads of pictures online of healthy and unhealthy dog teeth for you to use as a comparison.

If there is some build up it doesn't mean an anaesthetic straight away, give your dog a raw bone once or twice a week (a chicken wing or some lamb ribs nothing too big if he's a small dog and nothing small enough for him to choke) raw fed dogs have much healthier teeth because the raw bone keeps the teeth nice and clean.

I'd be looking for another vet if I were you, even if this all clears up and he is fine I would have lost all trust.

Peter333

Does the pet insurance not cover this?

Sounds a bit odd that he decided what needed doing and how much it would cost, without even looking at your dog!

sheramber

Peter333 wrote: »

Does the pet insurance not cover this?

Sounds a bit odd that he decided what needed doing and how much it would cost, without even looking at your dog!

You wouldn't have pet insurance if using PDSA. They provide treatment for those in receipt of certain beneifit. Payment is by way of a donation.

Pet insurances do not cover teeth cleaning. Usually only damage caused by accident or by illness.