Hi jetred,
From your post a year ago… this is exactly the type of information I'm searching for, "I know this might not be survivable for her but I can't find any advice on how to get a dog through cancer, what to look out for, when is she truly in pain, what spindle cell does over time and when is enough for her and time to set her free."
So I am wondering, what was your plan with Luna? How did you make decisions? What information did you learn that you think is important to know about the spindle cell cancer disease process?
I have a 15 yr old girl (aussie shepard mix) who is in good spirits, enjoys slow short walks, putting her nose in the wind, eating, etc all normally. We've had two surgeries already to debulk the tumor on her rear leg. One in 2013, and the second recently in June from which she recovered well for her age. Though it returned quickly (3 mos) and larger this time. It's now an open lesion. I am both astounded and perplexed at how she acts pretty normal given this! My vet (who is a new vet to us as I just moved) initially discussed end of life decisions and then also offered amputation as an option to consider. I would so appreciate any thoughts you have and/or hear more about your story.
Thank you.
What's considered baseline?
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Oakley is two and going for his annual checkup- I was always told to get a bloodwork panel done to use as a baseline for the future. Oakley has had pre op bloodwork at almost one before his neuter and will have another done this week for his upcoming teeth cleaning. Do these count or are they considered good baseline panels? If not, what should I be asking for?
Thanks
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The first one you did would be considered the baseline. Baseline to me is bloodwork that is done when in a healthly state…. and his BW that you are going to have done for his teeth, the values should be close to the same as the one before his neuter (does he really need a teeth cleaning at his age?)
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He does, he chipped a few teeth as a pup when he would frenzy himself in the crate and they accumulate a lot of plaque that brushing won't decrease. I use the CET enzymatic toothpaste through the vet but they do need to be done..
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Again, I swear by plaque off….
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I plan to be much more dentally conscious with him now that I realize he is prone to such issues. But in order for me to gain momentum I need to start fresh with his teeth- the cleaning/polishing will give me the clean slate and from then forward it's EVERYDAY brushing. Plus they can take a look at one to tooth closer (he chipped one of his larger top canines as a pup, that's the one I most want looked at, perhaps the cleaning will give me more insight as to the damage he did to it.
Those darn puppy days- thank goodness they're behind me! Plaque off is on my list for the new dental routine!
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I love it…. "plaque off".. I co-own a male that had perfectly horrible teeth... putting him on plaque off and brushing (and I just use water, once a week use a spray on the toothbrush) has really made a big difference. (have to also admit that he does not live with me, but his owner has now seen the benefit of brushing) While he still needs cleanings, it is so much improved, along with his breath... and my girls since puppyhood have been on plaque off, brushing about 3 times a week... once with the spray, rest with just water and their teeth are as white as when they came in at 6 months. I will admit that there are some pedigrees with worst teeth then others and need more attention. Been there, done that... and learned my lesson by NOT paying enough attention to their teeth.
And honestly, many a dog has chipped teeth with no real lasting effect over the years...
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I used that Virbac (I think) rinse from the vet with Spencer, and it seemed to really help. I didn't have to brush as often. I'm using Plaque Off with Ava– much cheaper and she doesn't even notice it in her food. Her behavior might not be pretty, but she has beautiful white teeth-- and I'm hoping to keep them that way.
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I used that Virbac (I think) rinse from the vet with Spencer, and it seemed to really help. I didn't have to brush as often. I'm using Plaque Off with Ava– much cheaper and she doesn't even notice it in her food. Her behavior might not be pretty, but she has beautiful white teeth-- and I'm hoping to keep them that way.
LOL, don't think it helps behavior, but I love it for teeth. And while I am one that says brushing is very, very important… I usually do not follow what I say... Yes, that would be BAD Mommy....... so this has been a blessing for me...
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I tried the plaque off but am going to have to try it again. I didn't notice much of a difference while they were on it and when they weren't. Tucker goes down to see the specialist for his teeth at the end of the month (he has enamel hypoplasia) and this time I'm sure that they are going to have to do a cleaning. I have tried to do the whole brushing of teeth and it doesnt go over well, but after his teeth are all pearly white I will try again.
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I've noticed Oakleys teeth were going to be a problem as early as puppyhood, like you said Pat: some lines are worse than others for this. He just seems to naturally have "plaquey" teeth. I'd much rather pay a couple hundred dollars now at 28 months and start a good routine from that than keep on with a subpar job on my part (fully admitted)…on his back molars he's starting to get that dark line just below the gumline- that's kinda when I said to myself..enough.. I'm sure the procedure will go flawlessly and it's a small price to pay for something that can have a big impact on health later on in life.
Lesson learned
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Pamela: too funny about Ava!
I'm glad that plaque off is working well for little miss spunky pants. The new plan is to brush with the virbac CET toothpaste and to routinely (not daily) use the plaque off. It'll take some work to combat that mouth of his! -
Plaque off is feed daily, you just put it on their food once a day.
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I tried the plaque off but am going to have to try it again. I didn't notice much of a difference while they were on it and when they weren't. Tucker goes down to see the specialist for his teeth at the end of the month (he has enamel hypoplasia) and this time I'm sure that they are going to have to do a cleaning. I have tried to do the whole brushing of teeth and it doesnt go over well, but after his teeth are all pearly white I will try again.
Like said, some lines have teeth problems, at least that I have found. But for those ones with issues with their teeth, it may not seem like it is doing much, however it does help. The boy I was talking about before that has teeth issues, it took about 6 to 8 months on the plaque off to see a difference. He too will be getting a dental today (and neuter)…. so it is not a cure all, but I think it helps.
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I thought it came in spray form??
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Chealsie, the kind I have you just sprinkle on their food. It's green, and I thought Ava wouldn't touch it, but I mix it into her kibble and she doesn't seem to notice. I keep it in the treat cabinet, so maybe she thinks it's supposed to be yummy!
Her big girl teeth are brand new and sparkly, so time will tell if that's enough. If I had to brush her teeth often, I'd lose a finger. She's the mouthiest dog I've ever seen!I used the Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse with Spencer and will probably finish out that bottle with Ava. You just squirt it into their mouth every day, and it helps stop plaque from forming. It made a difference with Spencer, and it was so much easier than brushing every night, which is difficult to do! Maybe the rinse would be easier with Oakley?
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It is a powder you sprinkle on the food, it is not a spray or in spray form.
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Like said, some lines have teeth problems, at least that I have found. But for those ones with issues with their teeth, it may not seem like it is doing much, however it does help. The boy I was talking about before that has teeth issues, it took about 6 to 8 months on the plaque off to see a difference. He too will be getting a dental today (and neuter)…. so it is not a cure all, but I think it helps.
Are you saying that Enamel Hypoplasia is hereditary?? I have found nothing to back this up, but if it is true I also don't want to breed something that could possibly be hereditary. The vet's I have talked to said it was probably from a fever when he was a puppy, or possibly a reaction to a vaccine. I just need clarification.
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I read it and also am of the belief that some lines just have naturally harder to take care of teeth than other, not necessarily that the condition you mention is hereditary. I'm not sure if Oakleys parents had naturally plaquey teeth but of the three dogs I've owned, Oakley is the first to have teeth that are hard to take care of/ keep up with…he started early accumulating plaque even when as a pup I brushed his teeth daily...since I started brushing less frequently thy have just gotten bad (on his back molars and chipped tooth)...
He's a high maintenance boy..lol...luckily the cleaning includes polishing and bloodwork for around 244 pre tax..so it's worth it before it gets out of hand..then it's brushing and plaque off...sprinkling it is way easier than a spray..whoop
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Now that I think of it I think I also read this wrong. I am aware that this line does have a higher occurance of teeth issues. I got in a bit of a tizzy over the enamel hypoplasia thing because I would not have put all the time and effort into getting his championship if there was a possibility that it was hereditary. Looks to be genetic in poodles maybe but I could find nothing about B's and like I said I don't want to breed into something like that. I saw all of my hard work and effort go down the drain along with all of the money if I knew I wouldn't be able to breed him.
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I commend you on being willing to not breed if this turned out to be the case; some who aren't as responsible would choose to do so anyway…I don't blame you either way for being upset over all your hard work possibly being jeopardized...breeding doesn't sound easy in any aspect!
