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!"

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Bless her stressed little heart.  I say, she should get a new toy. Just like the treasure chest from the dentist offices from years ago.  Toy?  :)

Glad that is behind you, F.  I know you have worked very hard on her teeth. Very hard.  What would have happened today if you had not done all the work you've been doing all these years?  I say, a new toy for you too

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks J. Right now we are hunkered down in the rain and glad to be home. That's all we need for now.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

My daughters dog Mojo who is nine had to have a similar job here a few weeks ago. He had to have extractions but did come home happy and clean! The bill was pretty similar though. Too bad Calla came home in that state, not really what you should or would expect. Glad no extractions were necessary.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so glad she didn't have to have any extractions, but I'm sorry sweet Calla had to go through this.  At least it's over and she's got a "pearly white smile".

[F, Calla & Luca]

: )

[Camilla and Darwin]

Glad that Calla came out relatively unscathed, dental cleanings are no fun. I would also be curious about the fact that she may not have been let out. Darwin has similar teeth issues, I have purchased the gel that you use for Calla, I hope it works for him! He has already had a dental cleaning, which did help. 

That is one hefty dental bill!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I hope to get more info on prevention and I will, of course, share it. The interesting thing is that Lucca is a bit older, he has some tartar but his gums and breath are fine. They eat the very same thing so clearly there are genetic, individual factors in play.
Yes, a hefty bill!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wow, JD's cleaning was "only" three hundred and something! I notice that the Doxirobe was $70, though, and that they also gave her a Dexamethasone injection for another $40- I wonder why the steroids? So that's a hundred dollars worth of things JD didn't need, but still the price seems high to me. 

I'm glad that she didn't need any extractions, but sorry she was so stressed, and I'd talk to them about the poop, too. 

I hope she has a restful night and feels perfectly fine tomorrow! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks, Karen. I wondered about the Dexamethasone too. All I can think of is that it is to prevent swelling of the gums. Perhaps given what they did they expected a lot?

[F, Calla & Luca]

The vet wrote me a second email because she forgot to address my question about the Dexamethasone. She said that Calla had a lot of reverse sneezing after the procedure, which she has had. Interestingly Calla did not have her EPO today, whether that is related I can't say for sure.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's interesting. So she gave the Dexamethasone just in case the reverse sneezing was some sort of allergic reaction?