Ava and the new problem

[Stacy]

I love her so much. She's such an easy dog. But I just can't seem to get her all well. First it was the botched spay and emergency sugery, then it was her exploding nipple, then the allergies. And now her teeth. 

When she first came I noticed that her bottom front teeth were incredibly worn. I asked my vet (who I now question his judgment) and he said to just leave them alone - they didn't need anything. And that seemed well and good at the time, but now she has what appears to be an abcess. Pictures. I don't want to take her back to the first vet. He wasn't much help with the allergy problem. I'm seeing the wisdom of specialists. So she has an appointment with a vet dentist, but I couldn't get her in until next Friday. But now I'm worried. I think it's an abcess. But what if it's something worse. And what if they need to remove the rest of those worn front teeth. Poor Ava. I just want to rewind her life and take care of her from the very beginning so she never had that prior life. I wish that been more diligent in selecting a breeder who took good care of their dogs. I just want her to be well. I want her to live forever and be the healthy happy dog that she is meant to be. 

Here are her teeth when she first came to live with me. 

Here are her teeth today. The bottom right side is what I'm concerned about.

If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on what is going on I would appreciate them. 

Stacy

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Stacy, if you mean that black spot on her gum, I wouldn't worry. I think it's good that you're seeing a veterinary dentist just to be sure, but I don't think this is serious.

[EJ & Dante]

I think she means that red inflamed area on the lower right side.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I agree. I think her gums look pretty swollen overall in the second picture. Plus the third tooth on the right has completely shifted.

[Stacy]

Yes, that's what I'm trying to point at. And it looks like it hurts. But she doesn't act like it bothers her. I really wanted to get her into the dentist tomorrow, but they couldn't do it. Part of me wants to go back to the emergency vet - but this is the sort of thing that ER nurses roll their eyes at when people come in for stuff like that. Not an emergency. But when it's your dog it feels like an emergency!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

If she is acting fine and is still eating and drinking, I would wait. I know it's hard to do sometimes, but I have to say that I have gotten irritable waiting because of something like this when my yellow lab was life threateningly ill.

[Stacy]

She seems totally fine. I hope she's not faking fine though - when I had a dental abcess I kind of thought I was dying. And she even acted okay when she was bleeding to death. I know she's not deathly ill, I just hope she isn't hurting and hiding it from me.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think if her mouth hurt, she'd show it. She may be good at hiding pain (JD is a master at it), but I think you'd see something ...a change in eating habits, a reluctance to chew on things (if she does), an avoidance when wrestling with Katie, something. Try not to worry too much. Easier said than done, i know.

[Stacy]

She is doing all the normal things. She goes to town with her antler. So I will try to be calm for a week. I might not have even noticed if I didn't look at her so much. She's just such a good girl. I just want to be a good mom to her.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

She couldn't find a better mom if she tried. :) 

[Stacy]

Well she is my love! Even when she rolls in possum poop at midnight. 

Possum poop (as identified by the groomer) is the most disgusting thing in the whole world!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Anne actually posted a photo somewhere here on DK of possum poop in Haley's fur. Ava has a kindred spirit, lol!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ava has a kindred spirit here on DK. Anne actually posted a photo in this discussion of Haley's fur after he rolled in possum poop!

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlegrooming/forum/topics/home-...