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Teeth cleaning for senior pooch

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • M

    Thanks for all your responses! We're going to go through with the cleaning. Our vet is very cautious and careful and will monitor Deedle's blood pressure throughout the procedure, so I think she will be okay. Also, I will invest in some PlaqueOff, and I vow to brush Deedle's teeth (how many times have I made that vow? Can't one of you come over and threaten me?).

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  • M

    Hi,

    I just wanted to post a follow-up in case anyone was interested! I took Deedle in for her teeth cleaning on Friday. They kept her very well hydrated to make sure her kidneys didn't suffer, and she did really well. They wanted to keep her an extra couple of hours so they could keep pumping fluids through her, but I had to go get her a bit early because, ahem, she was making "basenji noises" and indicated she wanted to come home! I got to the vet's office, and I could hear her CRYING and yipping and making all sorts of noises. Oh, boy.

    A couple of days later, and she seems pretty much back to herself. The doctor had to extract two teeth (one fell out while they were cleaning!). She said there was an abscess, so now Deedle should be much happier and more comfortable. I am going to start brushing her teeth in a couple weeks, plus I got the PlaqueOff stuff (such a tiny little bottle! I thought it was going to be a huge tub).

    Thanks for all your suggestions and help. I appreciated every word!

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  • tanzaT

    That is great news. I would suggest that you start just rubbing her teeth and gums with your finger… and you should be able to brush lightly before the end of the week. Get a nice really, really soft toothbrush for her.

    And I hear you about teeth falling out... that happened to my OJ every time he had a teeth cleaning. I am sure she will be feeling 100% better without the bad teeth and abscess!

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • T

    Went to the ProDen website and read up on it. Then I went to Amazon and ordered it! It was actually developed for humans before they developed the pet formula. I liked the sound of it so well, I may order the human version for me (I am a serious calculus/plaque producer who has had 2 oral surgeries)
    My furkids usually have no trouble with new foods so I don't anticipate any issues except when the girls are in season and the boys quit eating anyway…

    Terry

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  • tanzaT

    I have not heard of any dogs that had a problem with it being added to the food.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • ZenGrrrlZ

    Does anyone have experience with "no anesthesia" teeth cleaning? I'm planning to take my 12-year-old in for this procedure but would welcome second opinions.

    The Z-Pack: Zen and Ziggy

    In memory of Zoe and Zhara Baroo

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  • KipawaK

    @tanza:

    My advise is to have them cleaned, especially if she has always had teeth issues. Since her labs are good, should not be a problem, I would not think. Usually with seniors they put them on extra fluids sometimes before a procedure, during and after to help the kidneys.

    Then you can try using Plaque Off, I swear by this stuff… not expensive considering how little you use and you just put it on their food. However, that said, you should also brush daily... it really does make a difference.

    +1 on the Plaque Off. It's quite effective! I'm going to be getting some of their 'human' Plaque Off. What's good enough for the basenji is good enough for me.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    @ZenGrrrl:

    Does anyone have experience with "no anesthesia" teeth cleaning? I'm planning to take my 12-year-old in for this procedure but would welcome second opinions.

    I posted to this yesterday– Don't do it. The AMVA and the dental association say run from such procedures as you cannot get cleaned under the gums so while (like the spray stuff) it might make teeth above gums and breath better, does not do the job.

    Debra

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  • P

    Excuse my ignorance but what is no anesthesia teeth cleaning, please?

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Patty, basically they charge less, tout no anesthesia, and basically clean the teeth the best they can, above the gum line.

    Debra

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  • P

    No magic then, Debra? Paying a vet for what we can do at home! Or am I being too cynical?

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    PLEASE DO NOT!!! The AMVA and the dental veterinary society says RUN from ANY VET advertising no anesthesia cleaning. PLEASE, find a vet who knows what they are doing! The teeth may LOOK cleaner, but the MEDICAL issue is below the gums! http://www.avdc.org/dentalscaling.html However, performing NPDS on an unanesthetized pet is inappropriate for the following reasons: 1. Dental tartar is firmly adhered to the surface of the teeth. Scaling to remove tartar is accomplished using ultrasonic and sonic power scalers, plus hand instruments that must have a sharp working edge to be used effectively. Even slight head movement by the patient could result in injury to the oral tissues of the patient, and the operator may be bitten when the patient reacts. 2. Professional dental scaling includes scaling the surfaces of the teeth both above and below the gingival margin (gum line), followed by dental polishing. The most critical part of a dental scaling procedure is scaling the tooth surfaces that are within the gingival pocket (the subgingival space between the gum and the root), where periodontal disease is active. Because the patient cooperates, dental scaling of human teeth performed by a professional trained in the procedures can be completed successfully without anesthesia. However, access to the subgingival area of every tooth is impossible in an unanesthetized canine or feline patient. Removal of dental tartar on the visible surfaces of the teeth has little effect on a pet's health, and provides a false sense of accomplishment. The effect is purely cosmetic. 3. Inhalation anesthesia using a cuffed endotracheal tube provides three important advantages… the cooperation of the patient with a procedure it does not understand, elimination of pain resulting from examination and treatment of affected dental tissues during the procedure, and protection of the airway and lungs from accidental aspiration. 4. A complete oral examination, which is an important part of a professional dental scaling procedure, is not possible in an unanesthetized patient. The surfaces of the teeth facing the tongue cannot be examined, and areas of disease and discomfort are likely to be missed. Safe use of an anesthetic or sedative in a dog or cat requires evaluation of the general health and size of the patient to determine the appropriate drug and dose, and continual monitoring of the patient. ) Periodontal problems affect more than 80 percent of dogs over the age of four, according to Hometown Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic veterinarian Jan Bellows. University of Penn http://www.vet.upenn.edu/RyanVHUPforSmallAnimalPatients/SpecialtyCareServices/DentistryOralSurgery/ClientInformation/tabid/814/Default.aspx#AnesthesiaFrequencyDentalCleanings Need for Anesthesia and Frequency of Professional Dental Cleanings Need for Anesthesia In order to perform a thorough periodontal examination, dental radiography, scaling and polishing, gingival curettage and root planing, the pet must be under general anesthesia. Anesthetic gas and oxygen are delivered through an endotracheal tube, thus ensuring pain-free procedures and also protecting the airways from aspirating fluids or debris. Owners of pets naturally are concerned when anesthesia is required for their pet. However, anesthesia-free dentistry performed by untrained individuals is inappropriate for several reasons, including: Significant safety concerns for the patient and operator. Insufficient cleaning of inaccessible tooth surfaces. No debridement of periodontal pockets. Oral discomfort and serious pain. Accidental aspiration of debris that can result in pneumonia and death. Furthermore, it is illegal for anybody but licensed veterinarians or supervised and trained veterinary technicians to practice veterinary medicine. Although anesthesia will never be 100% risk-free, modern anesthetic and patient evaluation techniques used in veterinary hospitals minimize the risks, and millions of dentistry and oral surgery procedures are safely performed each year. The American Veterinary Dental College adopted a position statement on companion animal dental scaling without anesthesia. Anesthesia is essential for veterinary dental procedures, to ensure that the procedure can be completed successfully. Fear of general anesthesia is a natural concern voiced by many owners when a dental procedure is recommended. However, the risk of chronic oral infection, for example, is far greater than the risk of an anesthetic complication. \ btw… have dog with CUPS, an autoimmune issue. I have to have her teeth cleaned every 3 mos. I wish I didn't know so much about it. :(