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]

My dogs do not care for Kongs.  They like nylabones, hollow bones and antlers as well as tearing stuffing out of stuffies.  They do not like rubber toys at all and I will not give rawhide as it causes them to have stomach upsets.  I guess I will either follow this information so give them nothing to chew, or just go with our usual chews and hope I have no regrets later.

[Ken Seversen]

I don't know what she broke her tooth on but she thought it happened on the same object b/c both teeth were broken the same way on opposite sides.  It could have been a cow bone, a nylabone, or some other hard toy.   

 

I had been using the CET Digestable Rawhides for cleaning her teeth but returned them after I found out the problem.  I think I'll use them again for teeth cleaning.  She really got into them.  I bought the medium sized ones for her though she's a mini.

Thanks for the chew suggestions.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Ken did Tess chew on hard chews? Do you have any idea how she broke her teeth?

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Poor baby-whatever you decide, I hope it makes her feel better.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

One of the reasons it costs more is because they have to be totally under "sedated", the other reason is it is most often done by a specialist not a regular Vet.

My daughters boxer/beagle mix, whom we affectionately refer to as the million dollar dog, had her tooth extracted last January if memory serves it was $900.I wrote about it because the Vet thought it may have been caused by the new antler grandma (me) gave her for Christmas.

She then went on to have the $4000 back surgery in August.

[Ken Seversen]

Lisa:  my neighbor told me Tess would cost me 20k when I got her.   She's going to surpass that.  I usually pay for everything with cash b/c I don't want to know how much she costs.  4k back surgery is an eye opener.    

Yes, it's harder to do a dog b/c novocaine isn't an option to a squirming dog.   I had two wisdom teeth removed when I was in the military, and they did it with a hammer and chisel b/c my teeth were growing horizontally above my other teeth.  Most memorable b/c it was done without traditional sedation for that kind of "break the jaw bone" mode.  Tess may have the same problem b/c she is missing one tooth on both sides on her uppers. 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Your funny, I kept every receipt of everything I bought the first year....including PET INSURANCE! I added it up and it came under 3700 and that included what I paid the breeder. My doodle and yours I am sure is worth every penny. Daisy has had NO major medical issues thank goodness. I learned my lesson from my daughter and SIL' s dogs and opted for that additional expense of protection, never had to use it but being knowing the possibilities oy!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

This post is disturbing. I am very sorry for your dogs teeth.

It has also been very imformative and I thank you for posting.    Spud's canines, we suddenly noticed seem HALF the size.  He is only 2.5.   I had heard that simple tennis balls wear done teeth and it was suggested we only use Chuck It type of balls.

Anyone else heard that the fuzzy cloth of a tennis ball prematurely wears on teeth?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I have heard several variations of this tennis ball wearing on the teeth issue.

 

Some say it is the GLUE combining with the dogs saliva that creates a material harmful to the teeth.

Others say it is the fuzz on the ball, BUT not the actual fuzz rather the sand, dirt etc. that get trapped in the fuzz. They say that you can avoid this by keeping the ball clean!  Not sure how to accomplish that particular feat!

I am concerned about Spud's teeth too! That doesn't sound good at all!  Does he chew on hard items as well as tennis balls?

[Ken Seversen]

I Googled tennis balls and wearing teeth and got this:

http://www.manteega.com/packlunch/articles/tennisballteeth.htm

The wear would seem to come from allowing the dog to keep the ball and to literally chew all the fuzz off of it which the packaging on the canine tennis balls says is a no-no.   My dog doesn't chew on them but simply retrieves them.   My dog loves to chew on fleece frisbees, so far I don't think they are dangerous!   

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

He gets 1-2 leg bones a month.  Some months none, other months two if you get my point.  He really doesn't chew on them, just really works at the marrow.

He does not destroy toys. Not a big chewer.  Just a baller.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Well, it sure sounds like it could be the balls. Is he addicted like JD? What will he do if you take them away???