Dental work on elderly dog - would you have it done?

ladyt25

ladyt25

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Just wondering if anyone has ever had their elderly dog's teeth done and, if so did it go ok? Mum took our 15 yo collie x terrier in for his annual jabs andthe vet said his teeth were pretty bad and he needed them cleaning and maybe a couple removing. They checked his heart and have taken bloods to check his liver and kidneys are functioning normally and all ok.

Mum thought about it and has booked him in now for Tues. I am a bit concerned putting a dog his age under GA - has anyone done it? How long does it take? I assume it's not too long a job?

Feel bad for him as he hates the vets so it will not be a fun day for him but we do wonder if his constant wanting to rub his head and some other things may well be due to him not being comfortable in his mouth :(
 
Yeah, see i am a little worried but they say his heart is good and otherwise he's in good health. Thing is, they never said anything last year about his teeth but sometimes he does seem to twitch a bit if something touches his face and he wants to rub his head a lot. It's difficult as he could have a few years left yet and i wouldn't like to think he'd be in discomfort but on the other hand you ask yourself if it's fair to put them through the trauma of it all?
 
Dental work is probably the only reason I'd put any older pet through GA. Toothache is a horrible thing and I feel its worth the risk because the potential for so much better quality of life is there. Longer life with sore teeth would be worse to me.
 
I would have it done. If left you could cause more problems from the bacteria from his teeth and this can affect his other organs. If his uncomfortable also then its not really fair to leave him. I know you are worried about the anaesthetic etc but they are safe (obviously not without risk). If your vet has done a full exam and bloods and all is normal then thats great. Ensure they put him on a drip through the anaesthetic to help with blood pressure and recovery. Good luck xxx
 
Would get it done if the heart has no problems at present and his organs are all fine from blood tests as long as they have him on a drip during the op to keep him hydrated i see no problems with getting his teeth done - far better that than the agony of rotten teeth and trying to eat with them - and a low grade bacterial infection running round his system because of the tartar build up.
 
Oh, that sounds positive then. I am sure they would do all that was needed and they will give him ABs afterwards they've said. I guess it's just the thought of the fact he's terrified to go in (god knows why he started getting like this - reckon it's ever since they gave him the chop!) and that coupled with the GA does make you worry. But, as you've said and the vet said to my mum, best to have it done now than be in a worse position a year down the line.
Just hope it all goes smoothly - it's never nice having to put animals through these things is it.
 
My dog is on painkillers for his arthritis, so the vet feels (and his behaviour tells me) that he'd not in pain. :) If his heart was better I'd risk it.
 
It is about weighing up the pros and cons isn't it. He has been given some medication to help with his arthritis and, although he can be stiff somedays and has an odd 'senile moment', on the whole he's pretty good for his age and can have some giddy periods!!! :)
It's such a shame when they get old really :(
 
Skippys Mum said:
Dental work is probably the only reason I'd put any older pet through GA. Toothache is a horrible thing and I feel its worth the risk because the potential for so much better quality of life is there. Longer life with sore teeth would be worse to me.
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Me too. We had Legend's and Wish's teeth done last year (L was 11, W was 13) and the difference in them afterwards was remarkable, it knocked years off them and made them into such cheerful dogs playing about again as they used to; it wasn't until afterwards that we realised how under the weather they must have been although the only sign was that they were a bit quieter which we had put down to just getting older. Felt really guilty about that. :o
 
God, we'll feel awful if he suddenly get ridiculously perky after!!

He has had some painkillers everyso often and my parents say he does seem a lot happier an livelier when he's had them. That was just to help with the odd bit of stiffness but does make you wonder if he's in some discomfort elsewhere. He seems to eat ok, if a little slowly but then he's never been a pig food wise.

I think it will go ahead and, fingers crossed all goes well and with any luck maybe he will feel better for it!

Thanks for your opinions.
 
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