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Getting dog's teeth brushed... is it necessary?


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Our dog has multiple tumors and is 8.5 years old. Beagles can live between 10-15 years. The vet wants to have him put to sleep to have his teeth cleaned. It will cost $350.

 

I was assuming we would just do it until talking to my parents (who are huge dog people) and they said there was no way they would do it.

 

So, should I do it? I hate to be morbid and say I think my dog will not make it much longer anyways, but it's also a lot of money for us to pay. We'll pay it if we need to, though.

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There are certain chewy bones that have ridges on it. They are supposed to clean teeth and gums. I'd try that first - a lot cheaper and possibly easier on the beagle. I think one brand is "Greenies," if I remember it correctly.

 

Here is one website: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15354&cmpid=01csegpl&ref=6111&subref=AA&CAWELAID=525376763&catargetid=1570178606&cagpspn=pla

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I'd bet anything the "tumors" are lipomas -- harmless benign fatty growths that many dogs get as they age. One of my current dogs, a 12.5-yo Brittany, has many of them. No big deal at all. And teeth cleaning is very important for the health of pets who need it. So yes, I'd consider it routine health care and have it done.

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Raw turkey necks have yielded HUGE improvements here! Greyhounds have REALLY bad teeth and the vet said mine needed to be done at least every 6 months. His teeth were AWFUL! i started to do research and saw many people give their pets turkey necks to keep their teeth green. We also give one raw meal per day, one kibble. My greyhound's teeth were white within a weeek! His horrendous breath is GONE. The turkwy necks do such an amazing job but MUST be given raw. Cooked chicken or turkey will cause bones to splinter and dog may choke. Even my 13 lb dachsuned eats the turkey necks without issue. His horrendous breath is also gone and he has sparkking teeth. He is an older dog.

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He probably has tartar build up that needs to be removed by a vet. Our vet recommends that our dogs get their teeth cleaned yearly. We don't do it that often. I have a male standard poodle with multiple health problems. With him, I only do cleanings every one or two years. The bacteria from their teeth can lessen their life. My standard poodle also has the tumors. They are harmless; he has had one for 3 or 4 years now. Your vet's price for teeth cleaning sounds expensive, but vet costs vary a lot by state.

 

If you haven't ever had his teeth cleaned, I would do it. Then, you can try the bones or brushing them yourself to keep them clean.

 

Suzanne

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I take Jed to Petsmart about every 4 months for a touch up package. They brush him for 15 minutes, brush his teeth, and trim his nails. It's around $20. It's not a thorough as a vet cleaning would be, especially under anesthesia, but between this and lots of bones to chew on, Jed has really clean teeth and no bad breath.

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There's some confusion on this thread between brushing and cleaning. Despite what the OP put in the title, I'm sure teeth cleaning is what was meant.

 

Brushing is effective at preventing "gunk" but it must be done at a minimum several times a week, and preferably daily, to be effective. It's relatively easy to train most dogs to tolerate brushing. Having it done every few weeks by a groomer is pretty much useless.

 

A true dental cleaning has to be done at a vet's office under anesthesia. Some groomers advertise anesthesia-free tooth scraping, but there's a lot of controversy with that. From what I've read it can do more harm than good.

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For a cleaning they have to put under full anesthesia. Dogs don't like to just hold their mouths open. Tartar build up can create systemic problems in cats and dogs. Usually the build up starts by the back molars and if not addressed can create gum problems too.

 

Cleaning was part of the aging routine for pets when I worked for a vet. I actually did the cleaning and it's amazing what a difference it makes. Brushing will not remove the tarter. We saw many pets with extremely poor dental conditions that ended up with other issues down the road.

 

It's a lot of money for a cleaning. They may be wanting to do bloodwork before surgery. I would ask if there is anyway to cut the expense.

 

I also understand the expense issue. If you don't have it done, I would ask your vet about alternatives. My dog is almost 8 and about ready to need it too. I don't have the money for it either, but I swear if I could just knock her out for fifteen minutes, I could do it myself. :lol:

 

It's a balance issue, money vs. quality of life. If money is not an issue, yes, it should be done. If money is an issue, I would certainly keep an eye on it.

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I'm sure my opinion is unpopular, but here goes:

 

We had a dog die at age 15 (Weimaraner/Dalmation mix) with a full set of beautiful, white teeth. She got fed dry dog food and an occasional Milkbone.

 

Vets did not used to clean dog's teeth. Somehow this is now necessary. It's really, really hard for me not to think this is a way to make more income for the vets. I'm sure there is some justification, but I'm not sure that the benefits of doing it/risks of doing it (anesthesia always has risks) /risks of not doing it outweigh the expense. $350 is a huge chunk of change in our house. My kids' cleanings don't cost that much.

Edited by Laurie4b
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I'm sure my opinion is unpopular, but here goes:

 

We had a dog die at age 15 (Weimaraner/Dalmation mix) with a full set of beautiful, white teeth. She got fed dry dog food and an occasional Milkbone.

 

Vets did not used to clean dog's teeth. Somehow this is now necessary. It's really, really hard for me not to think this is a way to make more income for the vets. I'm sure there is some justification, but I'm not sure that the benefits of doing it/risks of doing it (anesthesia always has risks) /risks of not doing it outweigh the expense. $350 is a huge chunk of change in our house. My kids' cleanings don't cost that much.

 

I worked for a vet 20 years ago and it was common practice then. It also wasn't 350.00, but a lot of things weren't either.

 

It's not just for income, it's for long term health. I've pulled many rotten teeth out of Fluffy's head. I've also seen people who neglected dental care and it turned into kidney or liver failure down the road.

 

Sounds like you had a dog with good teeth. The vet I worked for didn't willy-nilly recommend cleaning. He did so upon examination of a pet. Some breeds seem to have better overall dental health anyway.

 

Anesthesia is a risk. That's why at a certain age he would recommended doing a blood panel to make sure there were no issues there.

 

It's hard knowing that by the time most pets need dental work they are entering the latter portion of their years. I've seen 16 year old dogs in slow but good health. I've personally lost two dogs at the age of nine due to unforeseen issues. It's a gamble and a risk. Most vets aren't in it for the money, they truly love and care for animals, and most aren't making a huge sum either. Technology has advanced and made vet care better, yet still the life span of a pet is limited. A vet may recommend what will best serve the pet and give it a chance at longevity. It's hard to make these decisions when economics is at play, that doesn't mean they aren't going to recommend it.

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I'm sure my opinion is unpopular, but here goes:

 

We had a dog die at age 15 (Weimaraner/Dalmation mix) with a full set of beautiful, white teeth. She got fed dry dog food and an occasional Milkbone.

 

Vets did not used to clean dog's teeth. Somehow this is now necessary. It's really, really hard for me not to think this is a way to make more income for the vets. I'm sure there is some justification, but I'm not sure that the benefits of doing it/risks of doing it (anesthesia always has risks) /risks of not doing it outweigh the expense. $350 is a huge chunk of change in our house. My kids' cleanings don't cost that much.

 

:iagree:

I love my dog and everything, but I can't afford to have my own teeth cleaned so I'm certainly not getting my dogs done. In terms of pecking order, my kids get dental care first, then dh and I, then the dog. She should consider herself lucky she gets them brushed on occasion.

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I would has the vet why and what concerns he has at this point. My brother kept putting off the cleaning on his dog, who eventually had an abcess and rotten teeth despite brushing. After having to have several teeth pulled, the poor thing now has to have a special diet. A very expensive learning experience for all of us. If the vet gives a general 'routine' kind of a thing, I might wait. But if he can give specific concerns with your specific dog, then I would seriously consider it.

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Only if the teeth were really bad and the gums inflamed. Our 7-yr-old Lab gets a major dental chewie twice a week, and twice a day after his dry dog food a handful of different dental "croutons". Both were recommended by our vet to help avoid the need for teeth cleaning. She has our cats on the kitty version, too.

 

If your pet has red gums, and really needs it done - do it. Then ask the vet what to give and what to do to avoid ever having to do a major tooth cleaning again.

 

After reading the above posts (of course I wrote the above before reading them all, silly me) I realize that at some time we, too, may well need to get our Lab's teeth really cleaned by the vet. I think it won't be until he is older, a the rate he is going, for which I am grateful. But it is something to keep in mind, like the eventual need for expensive repairs on an aging car. :-(

Edited by JFSinIL
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I worked for a vet 20 years ago and it was common practice then. It also wasn't 350.00, but a lot of things weren't either.

 

It's not just for income, it's for long term health. I've pulled many rotten teeth out of Fluffy's head. I've also seen people who neglected dental care and it turned into kidney or liver failure down the road.

 

Sounds like you had a dog with good teeth. The vet I worked for didn't willy-nilly recommend cleaning. He did so upon examination of a pet. Some breeds seem to have better overall dental health anyway.

 

Anesthesia is a risk. That's why at a certain age he would recommended doing a blood panel to make sure there were no issues there.

 

It's hard knowing that by the time most pets need dental work they are entering the latter portion of their years. I've seen 16 year old dogs in slow but good health. I've personally lost two dogs at the age of nine due to unforeseen issues. It's a gamble and a risk. Most vets aren't in it for the money, they truly love and care for animals, and most aren't making a huge sum either. Technology has advanced and made vet care better, yet still the life span of a pet is limited. A vet may recommend what will best serve the pet and give it a chance at longevity. It's hard to make these decisions when economics is at play, that doesn't mean they aren't going to recommend it.

 

 

:iagree: It shocks me when I realize it was 30 years ago that I worked for a vet (early 80's), but we did teeth cleanings then. We have come a long way in the area of preventative medicine for pets, just like we have for people.

Edited by floridamom
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Only if the teeth were really bad and the gums inflamed. Our 7-yr-old Lab gets a major dental chewie twice a week, and twice a day after his dry dog food a handful of different dental "croutons". Both were recommended by our vet to help avoid the need for teeth cleaning. She has our cats on the kitty version, too.

 

 

Are these products you can buy over-the-counter? If so, I'd love to know what they are!

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My 15 yo terrier STINKS because of her TEETH!! We've had them cleaned twice, at $500 a pop. They removed 15 rotten teeth - she still stinks! She's eaten dry dog food almost her entire life. She doesn't CHEW! I do brush her teeth on a rare occasion. I refuse to pay again to have her teeth cleaned at this point in her life.

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8.5 is barely "Senior" for a small breed dog. A beagle could easily live 6 or even 10 more years.

 

Assuming those multiple tumors are fatty, benign "lipomas", those are not a life-risking medical problem.

 

So, yes, get his teeth cleaned professionally. Budget for it every 2 years. It is a standard expense for dogs and cats. Dh is a vet, and I can't tell you how many times (zillions) people gush and can't stop going on about the difference dental care has made in their older pet's quality of life.

 

Even if he only had one year left, should he spend that year in pain???

 

Trust me on this. DO IT.

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8.5 is barely "Senior" for a small breed dog. A beagle could easily live 6 or even 10 more years.

 

Assuming those multiple tumors are fatty, benign "lipomas", those are not a life-risking medical problem.

 

So, yes, get his teeth cleaned professionally. Budget for it every 2 years. It is a standard expense for dogs and cats. Dh is a vet, and I can't tell you how many times (zillions) people gush and can't stop going on about the difference dental care has made in their older pet's quality of life.

 

Even if he only had one year left, should he spend that year in pain???

 

Trust me on this. DO IT.

 

:iagree: With every word, especially the bolded. (Well, except the part about dh being a vet, which would actually be of more use to us than him being a musician! :D)

 

eta: After you have the cleaning done, be sure to keep up the dental care. "Brushing" a dog's teeth doesn't have to be done with a toothbrush. You can use some of the poultry flavored canine toothpaste on a washrag, and they also make little finger brushes that you can use if the dog objects to having a stick shoved in his mouth! My mother has her border collie/beagle mix trained to bring her his rag and stand with his paws on the sink waiting for his turn whenever he sees her at the sink brushing her own teeth! :lol:

Edited by flutistmom
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So, yes, get his teeth cleaned professionally. Budget for it every 2 years. It is a standard expense for dogs and cats. Dh is a vet, and I can't tell you how many times (zillions) people gush and can't stop going on about the difference dental care has made in their older pet's quality of life.

 

Even if he only had one year left, should he spend that year in pain???

 

Trust me on this. DO IT.

 

I thoroughly agree.

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We brush our cats' teeth. (More accurately, Miss M-mv(i) brushes the cats' teeth.) If you are not brushing your cat's (or dog's) teeth, stop reading this post, go to your local pet shop, purchase the appropriate brush and paste and begin to do so. Start with one or two brushings a week and progress until it is a daily chore -- like brushing or combing the animal's coat.

 

Just as much about our own health can be determined by the health of our teeth and gums, much about our pets' health can be determined by their teeth and gums.

 

Note that even regular brushing will not prevent a pet from needing a professional cleaning -- just as regular brushing does not prevent us from needing a regular cleaning and dental examination. Regular brushing, though, will result in fewer cleanings, fewer extractions in old age, and fewer oral infections, which can seriously compromise the health of an older pet.

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Yes, I'd do it in a heartbeat. If money is an issue I'd save until I could do it. I'm a vet tech, and have seen what gum disease and rotten teeth can do to an animal. It really can make them old before their time, cause horrid pain (every had a tooth ache?) that they can't tell you about, and the disease and bacteria can spread to other organs. Get it done. (and yes, I know in the wild they don't get their teeth cleaned, they also don't live real long.)

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If your dog will let you, you can go to walmart or even petsmart and get a doggy toothbrush with toothpaste and do it yourself!

 

My dog LOVES his chicken flavored toothpaste!! The vet gave us a kit that came with a two sided brush (one side has a big brush, the other side is small) a tube of toothpaste, and a finger brush. I bathe him every week, then brush his teeth afterward, and he is really good with it b/c he loves the toothpaste. ;)

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I have to start working on my dogs teeth again. I had started, but then got lazy about it. Now that we just had to pay $1000 to have our cats teeth done and some taken out, I will make sure to make it a priority.

 

I agree with those that say you need to have it done. I didn't realize how much pain my cat was in before, now that he's had them cleaned and the painful teeth were removed (due to us not brushing, although I'm not sure that his former owners did either. We got him a couple years ago when he was 6) he seems so much happier now.

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I agree with those that say you need to have it done. I didn't realize how much pain my cat was in before, now that he's had them cleaned and the painful teeth were removed (due to us not brushing, although I'm not sure that his former owners did either. We got him a couple years ago when he was 6) he seems so much happier now.

 

We hear this ALL THE TIME post-dental about how happy and "like a puppy again" people's old pets seem after getting rid of those painful dental problems. Post-dental, pets often no longer seem "too old to bother"!

 

RE: brushing . . . This is a GREAT idea with a healthy mouth, but if the pet has established dental disease, WAIT until after the professional cleaning before beginning. Brushing seriously inflamed and infected tissues can be very painful, and it won't help either. On young pets (say under 2 or 3) whose mouths are likely still healthy, you can start any time, but on older pets, wait until after the vet has had a go at things.

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