Follow up on dental work caused by hard chews and toys

[Ken Seversen]

 

We saw the dental vet today and she said that we would have to have both teeth extracted for around 1.5k.   For 3.5 they could do root canal work and caps and guarantees on abscess development.   She figured she broke both teeth at the same time chewing on something hard as the breaks were identical.

She also said that every time she sees hard chew toys in stores it makes her mad.   Her line was:  "if you slap you knee with it and it hurts, it's too hard."

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Why does it cost so much to pull teeth?  It doesn't cost nearly that much in humans!

[Ken Seversen]

I guess since it is a non-profit state university they have some high salaries to pay!   I really can't answer your question.   It's an all day procedure and they have to x ray and maybe CT Scan b/c she's missing two upper teeth that may be in the upper bone.  They said it could be less than what they quoted to me...probably wanted to make us feel better.     After we left we discovered a note on our new car's window.  Another vet at the hospital had backed into our car!   And to think I just sent a nice check to their foundation!   At least she left her business card and an apology.   That's Iowa.  There has to be a good reason for living here!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Our cat recently needed extractions and the original quote was for $850.00 for 2 (not including lab tests and appts. prior to the procedure). If you go to a vet that uses radiology and has more training in dental procedures than the average vet than you will pay more.  I was quite impressed with their knowledge and care and use of equipment that is not normally found in vet clinics.  Even though I could have gone a less expensive route I was glad that I went ahead and used the dental specialist and Amber came home in much better condition then she had in the past after getting a cleaning.  I can't explain why it is more than humans though.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am trying not to freak out about this, but... I give my dogs antlers. It is the only thing they can chew because they destroy every other chew toy. Owen is a major chewer. He is one year old but he needs things to chew that are not leather couches, dog doors, the stairs, the deck, kitchen chair legs. shoes, cords or whatever he can find. If I can hit my knee with anything that doesn't hurt. Owen would have it ingested. Yikes!!!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna doesn't really like chewing soft things, she only chews hard things... so I'm curious as to how there might be a solution to this.

 

However, she isn't a super dedicated chewer of most things, and she can keep one of the harder nylabones (durabone) for a few months before it needs replacement.  She does chew very hard though - easily puts dents in her hard plastic nylabone, and can rake grooves into natural bone with her teeth.

 

 

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

I was thinking the same thing! If it were soft I would be paying vet bills for surgery b/c of ingesting it! Hmmm, what to do............

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Well, I just talked with the vet dental specialist and asked her WHAT a dog CAN safely chew. Her recommendations:

1. Kong Toys

2. CET Digestable Rawhide (dogs can devour within 15-30 minutes and they are treated to kill dental bacteria)

3. Road or Street Hockey Balls

Anything that is slightly flexible and you can dent with your fingernail.  If is it hard enough that you wouldn't want someone to whack you in the kneecap with it-it is too hard for your dog to chew!  UGH!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Dear Ricki,

Thank you so much for this list.I appreciate the suggestions and will be getting my dogs new "stuff" but not stuffies. haha. I had read about street hockey balls on another post but hadn't found them. I'll look on the internet. Also I have had bad experiences in the past with rawhide... making the dogs sick and then vomit. Maybe this is a special kind that has been developed that is safe.

I am incredibly sorry for Tara that she is experiencing this pain and has to have this procedure. I'm sad for you, too... the worry and expense. Hoping that there is a wonderful result and you are able to both put it behind you soon.

hugs and prayers for both of you.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks Bonnie! But it was Tara's sissy cat Amber that had the dental issues!  Her procedure went very well and I was really grateful to have an expert doing the work.

 

I am leery of rawhide too. Tara has always chewed bully sticks. She even came home from the breeder's with one at 8 weeks old!  So she is totally hooked on them! They are hard though I'm not sure what to do...good grief!!  I hadn't heard of the street hockey balls before. I will have to check them out but none of the suggestions that the vet made are going to make a dog happy that is used to having antlers or bully sticks!! Tara has never wanted anything to do with Kong items. I'm concerned about rawhide too and that leaves the Street Hockey ball but balls just aren't substitutes for chewies in MHO!!

[Ken Seversen]

A friend of mine has two golden doodles and one of them impaled his throat with part of a bully stick.  Somehow it got caught vertically inside its mouth.   Her vet told her "no more bully sticks."   I don't like the rawhide chews.  The ones with knots in them are deadly.  My vet said "I've had to remove several of those from dog guts."   Lots of this explains why dogs don't live long in the wild!   

The CET Digestible Rawhides mentioned by Ricki above are not as likely to get caught in their throat.  Still, as Tess got close to finishing one of them off I would always say "leave it" and she does.  She once swallowed a regular chew and gagged for a long time while I did the Heimlich on her until she got it up.   Ever since then, whenever she chokes or coughs she runs to me!  Funny and touching too.  

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Ahhhhhh Tess loves her Daddy!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

OMD!! Impaled by a bully stick???? Oh geez!!! Is NOTHING safe??? I see what you're saying about the dogs in the wild!!

That is so sweet that Tess comes to you to help her if she chokes!! What a smart and trusting girl!! Good job with the Heimlich!!