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BPO Grooming Forum => Discussions & Information on Grooming => : Binky April 25, 2006, 10:00:15 PM

: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: Binky April 25, 2006, 10:00:15 PM
Ok, I know that McDougal, my Papillion is not a Big Paw, but I need advice! He is 6 years old and has a lot of tarter build up, despite all the bones he chews, etc.  His breath has become atrocious! I mean, really offensive.  Our vet offers teeth cleaning, but McDougal would need to be put under for this procedure, which makes me very nervous.  Has anyone had this done? Any alternatives to cleaning his teeth?  We have tried dog toothpaste, brushing, etc., but it doesn't work.  Will tarter cause tooth loss?  THnaks.
: Re: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: brandon April 25, 2006, 10:07:34 PM
Our Senior Sheltie used to get really bad tartar build-up also when he was 12ish.  Melissa actually would clean it off with a using a dental pick, he didn't love it , but he was a pretty tolerant old fellow.  Maybe she can tell more about it, but it didn't seem like it was too hard to get it off, it sorta flakes off when you pull on it.

He did have to be put under to have a bad tooth pulled, but Mel used the pick for the tartar.   We tried the toothbrush also and it just wouldn't cut the mustard for the tough stuff.
: Re: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: Kermit April 26, 2006, 12:09:35 AM
Yeah, if his breath is really bad, I think the dental sounds like a good idea. Better to do it now before things get any worse. We have had our terrier's teeth cleaned by the vet and they really look fantastic now, he's 7 years old. All my other guys have pretty nice looking teeth, and I am a dental pick addict so any time a dog is lounging I will check their teeth. Just yesterday I cleaned Sammy and Leeloo's teeth with the pick, they are really good about it and it is amazing to see the stuff flake off. You can get those picks at Kroger or Walmart.

Good luck!! :)
: Re: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: The Brindle Pack April 26, 2006, 12:21:51 AM
What I do is use the rounded part of a large paper clip covered with a piece of a damp paper towel.  Tyra is the one that gets a fare amount of build up on her back teeth and this method has worked great.
: Re: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: aggghgmom April 26, 2006, 12:33:56 AM
I had my springer Stoli's teeth cleaned at the vet she was about 7 or 8 years old.  I was a nervous wreck but she did fine.  We tried to brush her teeth after that to keep them clean but she didn't want any part of it.

It was good for her; she smelled alot better and since we were hoping she would live to an old age we thought we best take good care of her teeth.  Generally a dog will only need it once in there life.  (Unless they have periodontal problems).
: Re: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: chaos270 April 26, 2006, 12:38:54 AM
Mackey's, our old greyhound, had to be cleaned and a bunch had to be pulled when she was an old lady and she did fine although she had a heart condition that made it risky to put her under.  I'd say get it done and then be more careful about keeping them clean....we get a dental diet kibble that we give as treats that helps alot. But my mom works for our vet and knows the tech that does the teeth so we always feel alot better about our guys having work done.
: Re: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: eightdogs4me April 26, 2006, 05:04:41 AM
I'd also say go for it.  Being a smaller dog, he will be more prone to yucky teeth and gingivitis.  I recently had my Chihuahua mix's and my Dane's teeth cleaned.  This was Choo-Choo's, the Chi mix, second dental in about 6 months.  Her fourth in 3 or 4 years.  She just naturally has bad teeth, but I'm trying even harder than ever to keep them clean now because I really don't want to have to put her under again.

I probably won't have to do Brutus' teeth again because he will let me scrape them w/out anesthisa, but they had gotten past the yucky point because I was slacking on my part.

Dental hygene is just as important for pets as it is for people.  If left alone, tarter leads to gengivitis which can lead to infection.  Nasty bacteria can cause septicemia which can lead to organ damage.

After the dental, it is important to keep the teeth as clean as possible to avoid having to do another (I need to practice what I preach  :-[ ) by regular brushing, and allowing the dog to chew on safe items such as raw recreational bones, compressed rawhides, or pizzles.
: Re: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: Binky April 26, 2006, 05:21:47 AM
Thanks for the advice everyone.  I'm glad to hear that others have had it done and that it went ok- I am just such a worrier!  I will definitely try the dental pick on him, although, from how PO'ed he was about the brushing, I don't know how that will go!
: Re: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: frosty73 August 01, 2006, 11:23:51 AM
Adorable papillion!

We had our mini schnauzer's teeth cleaned at the vet, he was an old guy but did fine.  Minis are prone to nasty tartar buildup and I can't imagine picking clean their teeth, but I do try to brush several times a week now.
: Re: Anyone had their dog's teeth cleaned by vet? Should I?
: ed kiplinger August 02, 2006, 03:10:08 AM
I for one hardily recommend it especially for small dogs. The downside to not getting it done on some regular basis is your pet losing lots or all its teeth. When I took my adopted Pom in for the first (and last) time his teeth were so bad that he lost everyone of them. Poor guys tounge hung out all the time after that. I've certainly learned my lesson!!!
~Ed