Comments on: Dental Care for Pets

By: Rebekah S.

Rebekah S. — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:58:45 +0000

We adopted an older dog (Parsons Jack Russell Terrior) who has some pretty bad habits. We have found he has periodontal disease REAL bad. We took him to two dr.’s. One quoted 3000.00 dollars another 2000.00. We just can’t afford that right now. We haven’t gotten our own teeth done yet either.

I feel just awful. Like a bad owner. I LOVE my dog very much and have hoped for a vet around here to care more about the animal than their own pockets….at least allow us to make payments. But they all say, NOPE, We take credit cards!

I’m at odds as to what to do. Right now I’m giving him the dental bones which work on the plaque, but as you know, they are NOT a remedy.

What else can I do? There’s not a veterinarian around here who has a heart to help my poor dog and his back gums are getting more inflamed by each day that passes. I could REALLY use some ideas.

Thanks

Rebekah

By: jamili

jamili — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:44:07 +0000

your blog is getting better )

By: Susie

Susie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:59:53 +0000

Thanks for the information. It was very helpful. Eli has pulmonary stenosis, with an enlarged aorta and right ventrical. He doesn’t require medication. He hasn’t had an ECHO in 3 years. Since my husband and I do not wish to persue aggressive treatment(such as valvoplasy), we don’t want to do another ECHO. I will bring up anesthesia-free cleaning or a cardiologist recommended protocol ay his next visit. I wonder if the vet will be willing to make a recommendation if E hasn’t been seen in such a long time?

By: jhofve

jhofve — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:24:38 +0000

Good points RG, Thanks!

Susie, that’s a tough one. Since you need some info right away, I’ll give you what I’ve got!

There are two possible options for this sort of situation. One is to find someone who does anesthesia-free cleanings in your area. While not nearly as good as a full dental under anesthesia, if your dog is a candidate (no periodontal disease or extractions needed), it will go a long way toward keeping him comfortable.

Another option is to have your vet call the cardiologist and request an anesthetic regimen for the dog. Our cardiologists here in Denver have no problem doing that. It’s ideal, of course, to have a precise diagnosis, but some anesthetics are safer than others, and the cardiologist should be able to answer that in a phone call.

By: Susie

Susie — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:08:54 +0000

I agree with everything in the atricle above. I do all of those things for my dog’s dental health. My male dog has had pretty bad tartar build up. Using Pro-Den and other products has helped very much. However, in the case where a dog cannot undergo anesthesia because of an underlying heart problem, what is one to do? I have no intention of spending $300 to find out if my dog’s heart is OK, and then spend another $300 to clean his teeth.

An article dealing with cardiac defects and anesthesia would be interesting.

By: RG PetComm

RG PetComm — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:01:59 +0000

In addition to dental care here are five habits every dog owner must practice in his/her home:

Exercise:
Dogs spend a lot of time waiting around for us. We go off to work, we’re busy, we have appointments to keep, and our dogs are just hanging out waiting for us to do something with them.
Training:
All great dog owners spend some time training their dogs. Training is the best way to communicate with your dog. Your dog has no idea that they are not supposed to pull on leash, to not jump on guests, or to come back when you call them.
Leadership:
Dogs are social pack animals. They survive by living together in packs. In order for that pack to survive they need to develop a social structure with a leader. When you dog comes into the house, you need to become the pack leader.
Good Food:
All types of dog foods are not created equal. Feeding your dog a good diet is very important. Look at some of the labels on dog food. Some of them are loaded with chemicals, dyes, sugar and low grade products.
Play:
Dogs like to play. Have you ever watched a group of puppies together? It is one of my favorite things to do. A group of puppies will jump, run, tug, and have a great time together. Playing with your dog is a great way to exercise and bond with your dog. It will also fulfill an important need in your dog.

Good Dog Panda !! !!!