Tooth extractions - old dog :(

booter

owlet wrote: »

Fantastic news, I'm so pleased to read that he's back to normal. It's so worrying when our fur babies are poorly isn't it.

If he continues to gobble to fast, you can buy bowls with knobbly bits in to slow up eating x

Thanks owlet - I didn't know about the bowls, useful to know!

Well, I thought I'd come and give you all a quick update - he's back to his "normal" (whatever that is!) self - and today, for the first time, I managed to get a photo of his open mouth, showing his 3 remaining teeth (well, sort of) sooooo, here it is


(hope I've done it right!) (sorry, edited - it was a bit big!)

JP08

Bit late in the day for this, but when our our old boy was post operative (for a lump removal) the vet recommended egg fried rice, which seemed to do the job very nicely - I guess it's nice and easy to swallow and has a good dollop of protein / taste in it.

The only problem was that for the remaining 18 months of his life, the old boy assumed any eggy rice being cooked was for his benefit ...

booter

Pooch has, for a good few weeks, been making "smacking" noises with his mouth and had a very strange head twitch/lick. I thought that, as he was due a haircut, it was his hair in his mouth tickling his gums and/or just getting used to his gums. So I was giving him a brushing, prior to his bath/haircut, but when the brush reached his face, he let out a howly yelp :eek: (can't think of another description!) Another trip to the vets and he was prescribed antibiotics and painkillers (which he's been taking fine). And my bank balance miraculously decreases by £80 :cool: So it appears he may have broken one of his few remaining teeth :cool::( I'm not sure how - he doesn't "chew" anything - he doesn't even eat dried food! But the vet's not sure - she can't get a look into his mouth cos it's causing him too much pain and she doesn't want to hurt him any more than necessary

I thought that by getting the scale & polish (and the consequent removal of his "bad" teeth) that his problems would be over. I'm due back tomorrow to see if they can get a look in his mouth (should be fun :cool:) to confirm what the problem is. But if it is a broken tooth, it looks like it's gonna have to come out - and he'll go through another general anaesthetic

I'm sad and disappointed - to put him through it again, and because it looks like I'll have to pay again But can't help wondering why/how the tooth broke and whether they missed something? *sigh* More worry

jrtfan

booter wrote: »

Pooch has, for a good few weeks, been making "smacking" noises with his mouth and had a very strange head twitch/lick. I thought that, as he was due a haircut, it was his hair in his mouth tickling his gums and/or just getting used to his gums. So I was giving him a brushing, prior to his bath/haircut, but when the brush reached his face, he let out a howly yelp :eek: (can't think of another description!) Another trip to the vets and he was prescribed antibiotics and painkillers (which he's been taking fine). And my bank balance miraculously decreases by £80 :cool: So it appears he may have broken one of his few remaining teeth :cool::( I'm not sure how - he doesn't "chew" anything - he doesn't even eat dried food! But the vet's not sure - she can't get a look into his mouth cos it's causing him too much pain and she doesn't want to hurt him any more than necessary

I thought that by getting the scale & polish (and the consequent removal of his "bad" teeth) that his problems would be over. I'm due back tomorrow to see if they can get a look in his mouth (should be fun :cool:) to confirm what the problem is. But if it is a broken tooth, it looks like it's gonna have to come out - and he'll go through another general anaesthetic

I'm sad and disappointed - to put him through it again, and because it looks like I'll have to pay again But can't help wondering why/how the tooth broke and whether they missed something? *sigh* More worry

Oh booter, I'm sorry to hear about this latest development. Sometimes it seems like if it isn't one thing, then it's another doesn't it? Funny, how dogs seem to suffer far more from dental problems these days - 3 of mine have, too - because I can't remember them needing dentals when I was growing up. How did you get on at the Vets today, have they been able to establish why he's making these smacking noises and odd movements with his head?

*Robin*

Booter, how old is your little fella?

Clever Dog had great teeth until last summer, which I put down to her raw diet that included a chicken leg or wing most days [with bone].. But then a vet put CD on 'soft diet' to try and help her recover from an horrendous infection - and bouf! Suddenly all CD's teeth were covered in plaque and there are times I think she has discomfort from toothache.
Those 'dental sticks' are useless [could hardly be less natural, plus very expensive!] but because CD is sixteen years old I've been reluctant to ask the vet to put her through another GA..
When we spoke about the plaque, our 'home' vet suggested trying C0rsodyl D@ily - well, that was a one off - as soon as CD catches the smell of the opened bottle she does her best to be somewhere else as fast as possible!

So I was interested to see that your companion coped ok with a GA, Booter, albeit with a longer recovery time due to refusing oral pain-killers - if he's as old or older than CD I'll go back to our vet to discuss giving CD a proper 'dental' clean-up and see if any teeth need to come out (she's still got the complete set atm).

booter

jrtfan wrote: »

Sometimes it seems like if it isn't one thing, then it's another doesn't it? Funny, how dogs seem to suffer far more from dental problems these days - 3 of mine have, too - because I can't remember them needing dentals when I was growing up.

Oh, I know! But then, back in the day, I think dogs used to have bones more (remember seeing white poo on the street from strays?!) But I'm glad we don't have strays on the streets so much, or as much white (or any other colour) poo.

*Robin* wrote: »

Booter, how old is your little fella?

Clever Dog had great teeth until last summer, which I put down to her raw diet that included a chicken leg or wing most days [with bone].. But then a vet put CD on 'soft diet' to try and help her recover from an horrendous infection - and bouf! Suddenly all CD's teeth were covered in plaque and there are times I think she has discomfort from toothache.
Those 'dental sticks' are useless [could hardly be less natural, plus very expensive!] but because CD is sixteen years old I've been reluctant to ask the vet to put her through another GA..
When we spoke about the plaque, our 'home' vet suggested trying C0rsodyl D@ily - well, that was a one off - as soon as CD catches the smell of the opened bottle she does her best to be somewhere else as fast as possible!

So I was interested to see that your companion coped ok with a GA, Booter, albeit with a longer recovery time due to refusing oral pain-killers - if he's as old or older than CD I'll go back to our vet to discuss giving CD a proper 'dental' clean-up and see if any teeth need to come out (she's still got the complete set atm).

He's 13 - and I have to say, excluding the current problem, he's sooooo much better than he was - really alert, eating like a horse, and I don't pass out when he breathes on me :rotfl:I don't think he's ever eaten a raw diet (at least he hasn't while he's been with me - he's a rescue). I suspect he was on anything that his previous owner ate - he goes completely nuts if we get a takeaway (any sort) and we've never fed him those.

If you're taking CD for a scale/polish, be prepared for some tooth loss but my pooch is doing really well with his lack of teeth.

jrtfan wrote: »

How did you get on at the Vets today, have they been able to establish why he's making these smacking noises and odd movements with his head?

Well, it's good news/bad news. She managed to get a good look at his teeth, and can't find any evidence of a broken one - so that's good! Went on to say that it's possible they may have left a bit of root in the gum (bad!). But she'd have a look at his neck and ears, just in case it's something going on with them. Which she did, and when looking in his ears, he "yowked" (neck's OK). Then she said she thought she could see a grass seed in his ear. Or it could be a bit of fur clumped together with dirt, as his ears are quite dirty. (They're also quite hairy - he's a Yorkie!) So she said if it's a grass seed, it'll have to come out and asked if he'd eaten. I said no and she asked if I'd like them to do his ears (it would need sedation). I asked how much. Brace yourselves..........£140 .:eek: and that's an estimate!

I declined. I don't want to pay £140 for another GA that he may, or may not, need. And I really don't want to put him through that again. So I took him for a 2nd opinion (another vet). Who said that although his ears are dirty they couldn't see a grass seed. But could see what the previous vet was talking about and thought it was just a (tiny) clump of hair/crud matted together.:cool: They tried to get it but he wasn't having any of it. They also checked his teeth - and apparently they're looking really good - they said the scale/polish/extractions had been done really well. They went on to say that it's possible the smacking noise/movements could either be him just getting used to having more gums than teeth, or that food may be impacting in the recesses left behind from where his teeth were removed (after all he can't get a finger in his mouth to fish it out!!) Apparently this will improve with time as the recesses "fill out".

So, one vet says one thing, another says something else :cool: Gah, I wish the dog could talk! Anyway, I've bought some ear cleaner - the 2nd vet says that in the (unlikely) event it is a grass seed, it won't hurt/hinder and that anyway, it wouldn't hurt to give his ears a clean. And to keep an eye on it - if it's still causing problems, to go back. Grand total? £30. And no GA. (Oh, and he doesn't like the ear cleaner either, so cue lots of sulking )

I realise that it's all subjective - but again, it's about trusting my gut. And knowing my dog. He absolutely does not go lolloping through long grass! If it's higher than his knees, or he can't see what's on the other side, he avoids it!

But I am slightly angry/frustrated that the first vet was so blase about knocking him out just to have a look. And if I'd gone for it, I wonder whether they'd have said "oh, yes, there was a grass seed" regardless. So now I'm thinking of changing my vet And wishing I'd trained as a vet!!:rotfl:

Apologies for the long post/rant!:)

jrtfan

booter wrote: »

Oh, I know! But then, back in the day, I think dogs used to have bones more (remember seeing white poo on the street from strays?!) But I'm glad we don't have strays on the streets so much, or as much white (or any other colour) poo.




He's 13 - and I have to say, excluding the current problem, he's sooooo much better than he was - really alert, eating like a horse, and I don't pass out when he breathes on me :rotfl:I don't think he's ever eaten a raw diet (at least he hasn't while he's been with me - he's a rescue). I suspect he was on anything that his previous owner ate - he goes completely nuts if we get a takeaway (any sort) and we've never fed him those.

If you're taking CD for a scale/polish, be prepared for some tooth loss but my pooch is doing really well with his lack of teeth.



Well, it's good news/bad news. She managed to get a good look at his teeth, and can't find any evidence of a broken one - so that's good! Went on to say that it's possible they may have left a bit of root in the gum (bad!). But she'd have a look at his neck and ears, just in case it's something going on with them. Which she did, and when looking in his ears, he "yowked" (neck's OK). Then she said she thought she could see a grass seed in his ear. Or it could be a bit of fur clumped together with dirt, as his ears are quite dirty. (They're also quite hairy - he's a Yorkie!) So she said if it's a grass seed, it'll have to come out and asked if he'd eaten. I said no and she asked if I'd like them to do his ears (it would need sedation). I asked how much. Brace yourselves..........£140 .:eek: and that's an estimate!

I declined. I don't want to pay £140 for another GA that he may, or may not, need. And I really don't want to put him through that again. So I took him for a 2nd opinion (another vet). Who said that although his ears are dirty they couldn't see a grass seed. But could see what the previous vet was talking about and thought it was just a (tiny) clump of hair/crud matted together.:cool: They tried to get it but he wasn't having any of it. They also checked his teeth - and apparently they're looking really good - they said the scale/polish/extractions had been done really well. They went on to say that it's possible the smacking noise/movements could either be him just getting used to having more gums than teeth, or that food may be impacting in the recesses left behind from where his teeth were removed (after all he can't get a finger in his mouth to fish it out!!) Apparently this will improve with time as the recesses "fill out".

So, one vet says one thing, another says something else :cool: Gah, I wish the dog could talk! Anyway, I've bought some ear cleaner - the 2nd vet says that in the (unlikely) event it is a grass seed, it won't hurt/hinder and that anyway, it wouldn't hurt to give his ears a clean. And to keep an eye on it - if it's still causing problems, to go back. Grand total? £30. And no GA. (Oh, and he doesn't like the ear cleaner either, so cue lots of sulking )

I realise that it's all subjective - but again, it's about trusting my gut. And knowing my dog. He absolutely does not go lolloping through long grass! If it's higher than his knees, or he can't see what's on the other side, he avoids it!

But I am slightly angry/frustrated that the first vet was so blase about knocking him out just to have a look. And if I'd gone for it, I wonder whether they'd have said "oh, yes, there was a grass seed" regardless. So now I'm thinking of changing my vet And wishing I'd trained as a vet!!:rotfl:

Apologies for the long post/rant!:)

No, that's OK! You're not ranting, I understand your frustration. I changed Vets once because the one I was with was keen to perform expensive diagnostics/procedures and to give me 'extras' to go with any pharmaceutical treatments. My current Vet is independent and seems a more confident diagnostician and has even once suggested bathing a particular skin condition with salted water, which cleared the problem up nicely. I hate to think of what creams and lotions might have been sold to me by the other place.

It's good news about your dog's dental having gone so well - apart from the possibly retained root, that is. (Although, I've had one of these myself for the last 4 years and have to say that it's never been any trouble, so fingers crossed for your little guy.) Did anyone suggest using a mouthwash to flush out the gaps in his gums while they're healing? There's one I had from my Vet which came in a squeezy bottle with a tube going through a hole in the lid, so that it could be used as a rinse to dislodge food particles, if your dog would tolerate this? Good luck with washing his ears, too - mine hate having this done so you have my sympathy.

It certainly would help a lot if only our dogs could tell us what was wrong with them, I agree! Dispense with the guess work altogether. (Not sure I'd want to train as a Vet though!) If he's still eating well now and drinking normally, then hopefully things will settle down properly very soon. Poor little lad!





This is just a thought - has anyone checked under your dog's tongue? Only one of my previous dogs once had similar symptoms to those you've described and it turned out to be a wooden splinter on the bottom of his tongue, which he must have picked up playing with a stick!

booter

Thanks jrtfan for your kind words
The vets didn't recommend a mouthwash - just advised me to keep his drinking water clean/refreshed. I'd have been a little nervous to put anything at all in his mouth with the amount of teeth he had out and the extent of the "wounds":eek:

He's still doing the smacking noises and the head twitch/lick (for the lick, think Albert Steptoe - sort of!) Ah well, just have to put it down to one of his many foibles :rotfl:Still a mystery, but he seems to be very alert, very "chipper", eats well, drinks well....but really does hate having his ears cleaned :rotfl:He's also had a haircut today (just in case it is his hair tickling his mouth) so now he's took off behind the settee in a massive sulk :rotfl:

jrtfan

Thanks for the update, booter. Your little fella sounds like quite a character - I hope he's speaking to you again now, after his ordeal with the trimmers! It's lovely to hear how well he is in all other respects, and it must be a weight off your mind I'm sure. Oh well, I suppose time will tell if the smacking/licking is a new foible, as you say, or just something temporary during the healing process. Either way, I'm glad everything has worked out well for him and for you x