Calla's Dental Cleaning

[F, Calla & Luca]

We have discussed dental cleaning many times and I wanted to avoid it. But Calla had gingivitis despite tooth gel, and some brushing. Things probably were better than if nothing had been done but still her gums were swollen. Her breath had improved too but not enough. I had started a chlorhexidine rinse. That too helped but my vet said she needed a cleaning and I hope that if her teeth are clean I can keep up with them. I hated the idea of anesthesia. My vet told me of a holistic vet where they do cleaning without anesthesia but that seemed unlikely to do much good since Calla would not cooperate and she would get quite stressed.

Today was the day. I was given a form where I could agree to any extractions but I opted to be called first. The good news is no extractions were needed but she had an area that was somewhat eroded and a gel, Doxirobe , was applied to the area in the hope of delaying any need for extraction for some time. I'm hoping for forever. Calla is home, fine and resting. She ate kibble softened with chicken broth. That's the good news ad what really counts.

The bad news is that as I was picking her up the vet tech noticed a bit of feces hanging off her and hurriedly cleaned the spot. The bad news is that when I got her home I realized, luckily before we got in the house, that her rear had matted feces all over. It looked like she had sat in it. Yuck. What a job cleaning her up. She was there from 8 to 5. The first vet tech said she would be walked, I wonder. I will write to the vet, which I planned to do anyway since I had some questions. But I do think she needs to know this. They were the ones who told me to come at 5 so I think Calla should have been checked over, never mind how she got in that state to begin with. She had been walked before the vet and she shouldn't have had to go before dinner. Was she stressed?

The other bad news is that the cleaning cost $632 dollars. You would think they could have returned a clean dog, which she was when I left her. 

Oh, and the morning vet tech was mentioning dental diet. If that's the Science Diet Dental Formula it seems like real junk to me. 

UPDATE:
I e-mailed my vet about Calla's condition and said that whatever had occurred, it was wrong for Calla to be returned to me in the condition she was. The vet wrote an appropriate response I thought.

"I agree and am very up upset to hear that. I, in fact, had a similar situation with my mother in law's dog...She was supposedly walked after her procedure, yet she was very distressed on the ride home with me and subsequently defecated in my car!

On another note, I was happy that we could use the doxirobe (doxycycline gel) at the base of Calla's tooth. It should help with the minor recession of her gums at that site.

I intend to speak with management about both your and my in-laws's dog's situation. Needless to say I am NOT HAPPY, and am rather frustrated. My clients entrust their animals to me and I expect to be able to provide the service expected. I know that the dental work was as expected and appropriate bc I was directly involved. I shouldn't have to check the bum of all my patients before they leave!

Thank you for reaching out to me and I'll let you know the outcome.

Have a good night!"

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks.

[DJ & Chance]

Poor Calla and unlucky you.  The vet's response was spot on, however.

I am annoyed that clinics and groomers too often require bringing animals in at the crack of dawn, rather than scheduling closer to procedure or grooming.  This is too often done for the convenience of the clinic and may not be in the best interest of a pet who is stressed when caged in an unfamiliar environment.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with that but at least the groomer we went to last time gave us an afternoon arrival time. Animal hospitals are less flexible, I think.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I really liked your vet's response. She treated you with respect and let you know that she also had some concerns and would address them.