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!"

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That seems appropriate to me. At least you're in good company, with her MIL!  

Is she British? I ask because of the use of the word "bum",lol!

[F, Calla & Luca]

No, she's not, at least not this generation. She probably reads English mysteries like I do : )

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

So glad Calla is done with all that. Prevention is something I'm always in search of also! Your post intriqued me-Chloe is going in July 2nd for a dental cleaning just because she will already be out-they have to remove a big lump on her side. We watched it for awhile now and it changed here and there. they said it's probably time to get it out because it's making her very sensitive to the touch now. I'm praying it's nothing but a cyst. Kind of reaked out about the cist of that. She's going for blood work previous to the appointment. Hopinf PetPlan will coever some of the cyst part.

Nice of the vet to get back to you so quickly though!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good luck with Chloe. I hope it's just an insignificant thing too. Pet Plan should certainly cover that.

[Pat and Traveler]

Awwww....poor Calla.  Bad enough to have the tooth cleaning, but then butt cleaning too--what a BAD day for this sweet dog!  Glad there were no extractions involved, but I'm having sticker shock! 

It's outrageous to have her returned to you in this condition.  I'd be upset too.  Glad the vet will be complaining too.

Off to brush Trav's teeth...lol  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, it made me feel better to get her response.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Hi, F!  We had Olivia's teeth cleaned twice.  I hated the idea of the anesthesia also!  The first cleaning in PA seemed to go well.  The hard part was our applying that sticky gel on her gums for days after the cleaning.  The second cleaning 3 years ago (back home in NJ) was a disaster!  Olivia smelled like vomit when we picked her up, then she looked like a drunken sailor the entire evening.  Seemed like too much anesthesia.  Our expense also was $635.  We were very upset as you are now.

 

Since then, we use the tarter spray (advertised on TV - we purchase it in BB&B).  We brush her teeth first then spray  her gums (the amount recommended on the bottle).  We do this every other day.  So far, so good with her Vet check ups.

 

We hope Calla is better and gives you lots of great smelling kisses!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Wow, you are lucky.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Haley loves that toothpaste so much that it is very hard to brush his teeth for all of the licking!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have beef flavored toothpaste and Calla likes it . I have ended up using it on my finger, other days I use Petzlife gel, and still others chlorhexidine rinse. I am hoping that with this fresh start I will be able to keep her teeth/gums in good shape.

[Gail and Bailey]

Glad to hear Calla is sporting fresh clean pearly whites again!  It will be so much easier to keep them clean now!  Sorry to hear about her dirty bottom.....but it seems like the Vet is going to handle the situation.  I would have been upset too!!  Big Doodle Kisses to Calla!!