UPDATE ON NED'S Slab Fracture on Back Molar

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We took the dogs to the vet today for their annual checkups and immunizations.  The vet found that Ned has a slab fracture on his back molar.  He said it is quite a common occurance - NOT at my house! His suggestion is to watch it and when it starts to get infected, have it removed.  I did a search on dk and what I found seems to bear out that repair is not always successful as well as bring very costly.   Ned chews on bones, antlers, Nylabones. I have always worried that since we use larger and strong chewer ones because of the bigger dogs it might be bad for Ned's smaller jaw/teeth.  Maybe this is not a good idea or maybe his tooth would do this anyway? Does anyone have any updated information they can share? Opinions on waiting until it bothers him?  Having the vet do the procedure rather than seeking a doggy dentist?  We are still paying for Gordie's CCL surgery........ sigh.

UPDATE. NED GOT HIS TOOTH PULLED

We had a phone consultation with a specialist and were told that pulling Ned's tooth was a relatively simple procedure.  So we decided to have our regular vet do it.  Since we were concerned that if we waited until it was infected ( allowing him to keep the tooth longer), there might be more complications, so we had it pulled last week. 

Ned had nothing to eat or drink after midnight and was dropped off  at 8 a.m.  I  called periodically all day only to be told that they hadn't gotten to him yet.  We called at 4:00 and he still hadn't been worked on, so we decided that we would pick him up and bring him back. But when we got there they were just finishing him up and they said we would have to leave him overnight!  I was quite upset about that because Ned has never been away from  us at night,  he doesn't eat in public and doesn't pee or poo for others or on-leash very well at all.  I was there when they opened the next morning expecting a mad, pouty Ned.  However, a cheerful good-smelling, happy-to-see-me Ned pranced out to greet me the next morning. As soon as we got outside to the grass, he peed for about an hour! 

He is taking 50 mg of Rimadyl once a day and the antibiotic, Clindamycin, 75 mg twice a day.  He was starving for a couple of days and even ate as soon as I set the dish down, but now has settled back into his old habit of night eating - but with an improved appetite.  I was told I didn't need to, but I have been softening his kibble and will continue to do so until he runs out of meds.  He had a few disolving stitches to close the gum and my logic tells me that he shouldn't irritate it with hard kibble. Because he is eating more, I wonder if his tooth did hurt him... or.... maybe he just  likes softened kibble.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think that is something that a specialist could more likely determine.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sure, it would seem so.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, that's what I thought, too. Why pull a big tooth if you don't have to? But it does seem strange that the vet said "When it starts to get infected" rather than "If it starts to get infected".  That's why I think you need more info on the nature of the fracture.

[F, Calla & Luca]

That might have been a misstatement or a misunderstanding.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I agree with Karen here.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The bonding is not permanent, BUT, acoording to the article:

Sealants provide 3-12 months of protection by which time the tooth will have healed itself internally and no longer be at risk of becoming devitalized (dying) or infected.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Right.  Even superficial it does not always work.  It is a good alternative to try and save a tooth.  I agree that is ideal, but my experience is that it does not always work that way.  The tooth decays around and underneath the bond.  

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Don't mind my negativism for this procedure. It can work in some teeth but the maintenance is high.  Is it cost effective for Nancy to continue to have this procedure over and over with dental check ups every six months to monitor the bonds?  That's how I see the bottom line   :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

According to this article, slab fractures almost always occur on a 4th upper premolar (carnassial).

http://www.bestfriendsvet.com/pdffiles/SlabFxWa.pdf

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This sounds just like Ned's. I am sure it is the lower molar and my DH is sure it is the  upper, but either way it the largest one.  Gordie's (from the torn CCL) surgical practice says there is dentistry but I can't click on anything related to dentistry so I am not sure if there is just a referral service or what.

Here is my plan of action. 

1. I am calling Ned's regular vet to see what they wrote down on his chart, ask them which tooth and to unchart it if possible (maybe??).

2. If they will, then I promise to get him insurance!!!! I promise!!!!

3. I will  call Gordie's surgeon's office and get a referral to a doggy dentist for a consult.  It sounds like we will have to have the tooth removed but at least I will get a second opinion as to when.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh no! I hope Ned doesn't have to endure tooth pain. It is the worst. bummer. I hope you end up having insurance and that all goes well. 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Poor Ned..... after reading this I am worried about Oliver, he is a big time chewer of bones, antlers and Nylabones.  He really chomps away at them too.  I always check both my doodles teeth, gums and inside their mouth about once a week just for a look-see.  They are constantly chewing on something !!! 

 

Can you actually see the fracture Nancy?