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 every meal, I wonder if his tooth had been bothering him for a long, long time (perhaps a crack that was not noticed by the groomer or at other check ups)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Wow, glad he's getting better. At least with it out you don't have to worry about him being in pain.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It makes me sad to think that he might have been hurting for quite a while.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nancy, So glad Ned is doing great after having his tooth pulled. I think the softer kibble is the way to go. I let myself have a milkshake a day after I had a tooth pulled :) I told myself it was good for me.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Riiiggghhhhttt, Laurie!  I feel the same way only I like Blizzards better.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Glad to hear he seemed ok when you picked him up and is doing well since the surgery.  Hopefully he continues to enjoy all his meals. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Wow, I missed all,of this. I a, glad he is home and okay! What a good boy!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

As one who has had a crack in a molar, I can tell you that eating is no fun!  Now that the nasty tooth is gone, Ned should be MUCH happier.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad this ordeal is over and Ned is feeling better!

[BG and Gavin]

Happy for this good outcome for Ned.  I would soften the kibble too.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

So glad to hear Ned is on the mend.  It is so hard to tell if something is bothering them sometimes so perhaps his tooth has been bothering him.  I would not have been a happy camper thinking about Jake being at the vets for that long:(

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh Ned!   Now, this sounds like the best possible outcome.  I am so happy you are on the mend.  Enjoy that food, big guy.

Honestly Nancy, I am so happy you made this choice.  You certainly have had your share of vets this year. 

A good summer in the camper you deserve!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I agree, Joanne, and we are starting with a 5 day stint on Sunday. We will be meeting Nancie and Graciedoodle and GBK in San Diego.  Although there is supposed to be some rain, I am sure we will feel so freeeeeeeeee.