@3basenjimom Agree, a vet visit. I have never seen a post on grinding teeth before so it’s very unusual.
Clean teeth
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@MacPack Holy cow, $25??? I am incredibly jealous! Anesthesia-free cleaning (not sure if with ultrasonic tools or not) start at $100 around here!
On this side of the bay it's $130. It goes along with the sky high gas and housing prices here.
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Sorry, MacPac, but every single vet school and research says the awake cleaning is not enough. Not going to overwhelm you with links but if my vet even offered such after all I have read and that they darned well should KNOW, I would be asking about another vet or taking them information to educate them. Cosmetic cleaning doesn't cut it.
UCDavis:::: Additionally, it is impossible to do a thorough cleaning with your pet awake. … may be able to remove the obvious superficial calculus from your pet's teeth, but he/she cannot get under the gums, where the cleaning is needed. We have seen many pets with 'clean' teeth that need to have many extractions because the underlying periodontal disease was not fully addressed.
From the American Veterinary Dental College
http://www.avdc.org/dentalcleaning.html
:::::Every professional dental cleaning starts with a review of the patient’s general health and any previous dental history. For a thorough, safe dental cleaning in veterinary patients, anesthesia is essential, as this permits a comprehensive assessment of the tissues, allows dental radiographs to be made when indicated, followed by the cleaning (scaling and polishing procedure) itself. So-called “anesthesia-free dental scaling” is not recommended by AVDC.::::::::::::So, really, pay more, get it done right. Or with young dogs do a real cleaning every 2 yrs at least.
The good news on tooth brushing is that after hours of searching (my dog has CUPS so we brush daily, have dental cleaning every 3 mos, and she is on steroids every 3 days, still gets some spots and needs antibiotics about every 4 or 5 mos
) – you don't have to brush like your own and you don't need to do it for 2 or 3 mins to do the job. The outer cheek side is what is critical, some on the tops, but you just need to disrupt plaque and the brushing alone does that. Yeah, some of the products do help, but not that much. I have four different types, lol, all with the sodium hexawhatever in them, mostly for taste and variety. But you don't have to have it.They said nearly 70 percent of dogs have gum/tooth issues by the age of 3 if their teeth are not regularly brushed. So I plan to have Cara's cleaned in Feb when she turns 3 even though I do brush hers a few times a week. Back when I fed raw, I never had a dog who lost a tooth, had bad breathe or needed teeth cleaned. Ever. Sigh. But even if Arwen could have raw, with her autoimmune problem, I'd still be brushing.
As for Plaque Off, it's cheap, won't hurt. But again, the company's OWN research says works 5 wks and then the plaque increases again. Unlike owners who really can't scientifically examine plaque amts, when they actually test and KNOW it doesn't keep helping, I'd rather use my money on something that does (like my 8 different tooth brushes so I am sure I get different effects-- lol can you tell how desperate this situation makes me?) I tried 2 bottles, didn't help at all for me.
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I fully admit I don't brush regularly an am working on changing that habit. His physical is in February so I'll likely schedule a cleaning if my vet doesn't object. Oakley has plaque that I'd like to get rid of and start fresh with his brushing and oral hygiene. Plus he chipped a long front canine as a pup from his bad crate days and that tooth has plaque as well. I know he's young but I figure it can't hurt. Teeth are important and I haven't done a great deal of paying attention to them. Kinda time to right the wrong I guess.
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Chelsea, February is "national pet dental month" and many vets offer discounts on dental services. That's when we did Bowpi's dental, and I took her around town to get several estimates as numerous vets were participating in the month's promotions, which was usually 20 ~ 25% off regular dental services (pretty significant when you're talking about $600 ~ $1000+ jobs!). Could be something to ask your vet about.
And Debra, no, while anesthesia-free dental doesn't replace the need for a full dental, if it cost me $25 a run, I would be happy to do it with a regular checkup! While keeping an eye on the possible need to do more, of course.
I'll go back and take a look again at PlaqueOff's published reports, which I saw that they post on their website, but I actually had a slightly different memory of its efficacy – though I could have misread it. My understanding is not that plaque "increases" after 5 weeks, but the beneficial effects sort of plateau after a certain period of time -- which has been our experience with it. It's definitely not a miracle cure to be used on its own, but since I did see the difference it made at the outset, I preferred to keep it in the regimen.
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I hope the 600-1000$ range is the west coast pricing! Lol
Oakleys teeth are mild, and I bet the vet would never draw attention to them. But I would rather have the "preventative" cleaning done now so I can start over with a fresh new slate regarding teeth brushing and such. They can't give me an estimate since they haven't seen his teeth but I imagine it will be on the very low end of necessary($)…irregardless, he will get one.
What the heck is another 500$ anyhow...lolOh, Oakley- if I didn't have him I swear I'd be rich...it's a good thing I'm not use to the finer things in life or I'd be screwed!!
Thanks to the OP for posting! Reinforced my drive to maintain Oakleys teeth and to do a better job with it....
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I asked my niece, who is a vet, about "awake tooth cleaning using ultrasonic" procedure. This was her response: "If the teeth aren't polished after the cleaning (and the cleaning in an awake dog could not possibly be an even adequate job), there are microfissures created on the tooth. The tartar will collect even quicker. I am surprised that a vet would ever do this."
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Eeefarm, I thought about buying a scaler to do Oakleys molars, just to scratch it off- but that was the exact reason I didn't…figured even more would stick to it after I roughed it up!
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OMW, if it cost 500 to do teeth here i"d be in horrible trouble. Fortunately even with blood work it is only $250, which I do once a year. The same vet with no blood work is about $150. I alternate with a local cheaper vet who is only 75 including antibiotics.. . so I only pay $550 a year for 4 full cleaning under anesthesia! I also have Arwen scheduled for Feb to take advantage of the dental month discount– sorry I didn't even think about mentioning that!
On the Plaque, I actually POSTED their study the first time I read about it. Will see if I can find it again.
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OMW, if it cost 500 to do teeth here i"d be in horrible trouble. Fortunately even with blood work it is only $250, which I do once a year. The same vet with no blood work is about $150. I alternate with a local cheaper vet who is only 75 including antibiotics.. . so I only pay $550 a year for 4 full cleaning under anesthesia! I also have Arwen scheduled for Feb to take advantage of the dental month discount– sorry I didn't even think about mentioning that!
On the Plaque, I actually POSTED their study the first time I read about it. Will see if I can find it again.
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OMW, if it cost 500 to do teeth here i"d be in horrible trouble. Fortunately even with blood work it is only $250, which I do once a year. The same vet with no blood work is about $150. I alternate with a local cheaper vet who is only 75 including antibiotics.. . so I only pay $550 a year for 4 full cleaning under anesthesia! I also have Arwen scheduled for Feb to take advantage of the dental month discount– sorry I didn't even think about mentioning that!
On the Plaque, I actually POSTED their study the first time I read about it. Will see if I can find it again.
Going to shoot myself, I hit post and lost about 30 mins of work.
Okay not going to do it again...
I found studies and in fact their own chart showing the plaque increased after 5 weeks.
http://www.plaqueoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Marina-Nordlund_study_L_new.pdfBut in HUMANS it continued to drop with, although (page 5,) it also said main improvement the first 5 wks. Bleeding decreased continually so obviously helping some even if not plaque after the 5 wks. Some significant differences in control group and PO with pH being much lower. They said higher could cause stones so that is good, but the TRUTH is you want NORMAL urine pH, not low or high. But the blood work was all normal for both groups so not really worried.
The human study: http://www.plaqueoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/POHuman_Study_Broschyr12s_high.pdf
So some mixed stuff, but if it helps some, why not? If it helps with bleeding, it must be doing SOMETHING good, so why not. And since even humans are using it, and it is basically seaweed, why the heck not? I may order some more.
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What is the best way to help my Basenji lose about 8pds. She weighs 33 at present, I feed her 2 times a day, 1 cup at each setting, should I cut one feeding out or just feed her less. I probably need to walk her more also. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
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Is there an age where a dog is too young for a maintenance teeth cleaning by the vet? In my case- almost two?
It may not depend so much on age as the bloodwork done prior to the cleaning should tell if the liver/kidneys are healthy for the procedure. You would think a dog before the age of 2 or so should not need it…...Uzie just got it done last Thursday. I was a wreck! He had plaque on his upper molars (previous owner's choice of food or bad DNA???) and at 3 y/o I thought I should get it done and from now on do my weekly (at least) brushing with an enzyme dog paste I found. He was not a happy pup at all!!!! All is good now....
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More excerise and less food…. my girls get less then 1/2 a cup twice a day... keep the 2x a day feeding but reduce the amount.. What are you feeding her? And yes, you need to get her out more
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We are lucky, my vet does an awake tooth cleaning using ultrasonic. Takes about 15 minutes, his 2 techs do it and gets all the plaque off. No polish or stain removal, but gets the crud off the teeth and gums. Dogs come back waggy with wet faces. When they find a problem the vet goes for a look and then you have to schedule anesthesia, but this de-plaquing with the annual physicals is….$25. If done separately, not with yearly, it is about $45 or $50.
No matter how old, if the teeth need cleaning , it will hopefully prevent gum problems. Some have to be done every couple of years, even with regular brushing. As Pat said, some just have bad teeth.
Anne, that sounds good, could you tell who your Vet is? email or forum.. I could drive there no problem!
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I truly hate seeing awake cleaning promoted when experts says it is NOT enough.
Please, read up on vet sites, check the links I posted Buddy's Pal. -
I truly hate seeing awake cleaning promoted when experts says it is NOT enough.
Please, read up on vet sites, check the links I posted Buddy's Pal. I did indeed, and thanks for the great info! makes perfect sense.
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More excerise and less food…. my girls get less then 1/2 a cup twice a day... keep the 2x a day feeding but reduce the amount.. What are you feeding her? And yes, you need to get her out more
Is that 1/2 a cup of dry food only?
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The amt of food isn't the issue since the calorie count can vary widely from one brand to another. If your dog is fat, cut back 1/4 for a week, then up to 1/4 more (so at 1/2) the next week. Add in green beans if the dog seems to think it is being starved to death. Or, if very fat, switch to Hill Science DIET food. I don't know anyone whose dog doesn't lose on that stuff, much as I hate Hills, until the weight is off then slowly add back the regular as you cut the Hills, but then bring it up to only 1/2 of what it was getting. Still losing? Add a bit more.
Arwen is 29 pounds and she gets 1/4 cp of Blue Buffalo 2x a day, plus treats 2x a day (predominately all meat based or salmon ears). Cara is 36 pounds and gets 1/2 cp 2x a day, same food, she just needs more to keep right weight. So it really varies by dog. Heck my male Rottie got only 3 cps total a day at 120 pounds and ACTIVE while is not so active mom got 4 and stayed a healthy 92 pounds.
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If your dog does not lose weight after cutting back on the food, have a complete thyroid test done. Do not cut back the food drastically but slowly week by week. I have used plain canned pumpkin as a filler. My three dogs get no more than 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups but they are on different foods.
Jennifer
