Regular teeth cleaning by vet?

[scats]

I’ve just been quoted £600 to have a feeding tube put in a tortoise under GA. The cost of vet procedures has gone astronomical.

We took Bess (mums dog) to the vet for anal glands the other day as I tried to express them and couldn’t. That cost £30 (I do it free on top of grooms if people ask). The next day we had to go back with her to get some of her allergy tablets as the blocked anal glands caused her itching to flare up. We were in there 3 minutes, got the tablets and the charge was £91.
It makes me realise what good value horse vets are!

 

[AmyMay]

I’ve just been quoted £600 to have a feeding tube put in a tortoise under GA. The cost of vet procedures has gone astronomical.

We took Bess (mums dog) to the vet for anal glands the other day as I tried to express them and couldn’t. That cost £30 (I do it free on top of grooms if people ask). The next day we had to go back with her to get some of her allergy tablets as the blocked anal glands caused her itching to flare up. We were in their 3 minutes, got the tablets and the charge was £91.
It makes me realise what good value horse vets are!

I feel so lucky to be with a small independent vets that are reasonably priced. I think £30 is more than reasonable for anal gland expressions (it’s about what I pay, and no way am I attempting it myself. I also don‘t want my groomer to do it). And whilst steep at £600, exotic care is always going to cost a premium. Daisy has had two extractions under GA both of which were under £200 (she’s a small dog with a mild heart murmur).

 

[Identityincrisis]

I have just been quoted £800 for my lurcher’s dental, how the hell am I supposed to afford that?? I feel dreadful saying that as he is my world. I’m also concerned about GA, are Lurchers as prone to issues as Greys?

 

[SusieT]

I have just been quoted £800 for my lurcher’s dental, how the hell am I supposed to afford that?? I feel dreadful saying that as he is my world. I’m also concerned about GA, are Lurchers as prone to issues as Greys?

Is he not insured?

 

[Identityincrisis]

Is he not insured?

No, he was an older dog when I got him, and dog insurance is scandalous!

 

[skinnydipper]

We took Bess (mums dog) to the vet for anal glands the other day as I tried to express them and couldn’t. That cost £30 (I do it free on top of grooms if people ask). The next day we had to go back with her to get some of her allergy tablets as the blocked anal glands caused her itching to flare up.

I think £30 is more than reasonable for anal gland expressions (it’s about what I pay, and no way am I attempting it myself. I also don‘t want my groomer to do it).

I know Daisy has a history of skin allergies so you may already know:

Skin inflammation caused by allergy can also affect the anal glands and cause swelling which narrows the duct and prevents the anal gland from emptying normally.

 

[AmyMay]

I know Daisy has a history of skin allergies so you may already know:

Skin inflammation caused by allergy can also affect the anal glands and cause swelling which narrows the duct and prevents the anal gland from emptying normally.

Thankfully we have been absolutely on top of her skin allergy, and she hasn’t needed her glands expressed for a few years. But then twice this summer she’s needed them done and has also been quite itchy (especially ears). So interesting point regarding swelling of the anal glands. Thanks.

 

[Bradsmum]

Reading with interest. I’ve had dogs all my life and none have had bad dental issues or anal gland probs. However, current rescue dog was 9 when we got him 3 years ago and has had to have dental descaling by vet twice and anal glands emptied 3 times . I’ve used Plaque Off to no effect, he has Paddywack which seems to have helped a little and I brush his teeth a couple of times a week - used to do it daily. If only there was a simple solution.

 

[scats]

Some dogs suffer badly with anal glands while others never have a problem. Obviously diet plays a big part but I do think some crosses are anatomically more prone to it. I express anal glands if asked, but if I have any difficulty at all, I refer to a vet. The placement of the glands vary so much from breed to breed and I do think this plays a part in how well they empty.
JD and Bess suffer, but Lily-Rose has never had a problem with hers.

 

[skinnydipper]

Some dogs suffer badly with anal glands while others never have a problem. Obviously diet plays a big part but I do think some crosses are anatomically more prone to it. I express anal glands if asked, but if I have any difficulty at all, I refer to a vet. The placement of the glands vary so much from breed to breed and I do think this plays a part in how well they empty.
JD and Bess suffer, but Lily-Rose has never had a problem with hers.

Agreed, I don't think there is only one cause for anal gland problems. Consistency of the material expressed is also a factor.

Only on AAD could we go from discussing mouth to bum seamlessly

 

[wren123]

At my vets the veterinary nurse has emptied my dogs anal glands free of charge much to my pleasant surprise. Mind you we were regular customers, my old dog having monthly librela and getting our yumove advance from them.

 

[Maryann]

Petkin Liquid Oral Care that you put in the drinking water kept my old dog comfortable in his old age but his teeth still looked manky. The vet said he was too old for a big clean and would just have to keep having antibiotics for the recurring infections. Once on the oral care he ate normally and didn't get any more infections. He was about 16 when this all started and we lost him at nearly 21.

 

[Esmae]

I give my dogs raw bones to chomp on and they never have an an issue with teeth. Maybe I've been lucky.

 

[Jenko109]

Not too many years ago, places like Vets4Pets used to have dental offers. It cost £99 including anaesthetic etc!!

Most insurance policies do not cover dental, unless it's as a result of an injury.

My local vets were doing a 20% off dental offer recently. I got a quote as my lurcher has got a bit of smelly breath so figured she may need a dental. With 20% off, it was still over £600.

The prices do seem to vary quite drastically.

My dog recently cut her side open on a branch. The cost to stitch her up including pain killer and antibiotics has totalled over £700. This was at my local practice

A relative had a cancerous mass about the size of a tennis ball removed from her dogs leg around the same time at a different practice and only paid £600.

I assume removing the cancer which was within all the muscle and basically on the bone would have been more invasive, so was surprised it was not more.

 

[AmyMay]

I give my dogs raw bones to chomp on and they never have an an issue with teeth. Maybe I've been lucky.

And conversely, my little dog’s teeth just couldn’t cope with bones.

 

[MurphysMinder]

My insurers cover dental work as long as the dog has had a dental check up in last 12 months . Poor teeth seem to be very much breed related , in 60+ years of living with GSDs I’ve never known one have any dental work . Both my previous Lancashire heeler and the older of my current 2 have needed cleaning or treatment.

 

[CorvusCorax]

My dogs have always had great teeth into old age, but it's luck/genetics/breed as opposed to amazing care, I have fed bones and never brushed, but I don't think it's fair to use our own dogs as barometers.

 

[Clodagh]

I always used to feed bones but I’ve two now with broken canines and Brandy had to spend the night at a vet once after impacting on bone. It’s a pain they can’t have them any more. If i give them softer bones they go down in seconds, so I don’t risk those either.
Although only Tawny has bad teeth, the rest are gleaming white, and they are all treated the same.

 

[Spotherisk]

Rew would have no interest in bones, he’s not a chewer - even paddywack is often abandoned in the garden! He’s booked in for an assessment at the vets next week.

 

[Jenko109]

I find needing to clip claws is also somewhat breed related. I suppose it must be down to conformation.

My late BC x labrador never had her claws done. Not once in her life.

My current BC x GSD has also never had her claws done.

My two pointy faces have their nails trimmed every two weeks or so.

 

[skinnydipper]

I don't think it is anything to do with what you feed your dog or home dental care. I had dogs all eating the same diet with the same home care and only one required scale and polish and extractions , twice, and it wasn't one of the long dogs.

I think it is to down to the oral microbiota population of the individual dog, though I have no evidence to support this.

 

[druid]

For those finding quotes expensive (and UK veterinary care is generally more expensive than over here) it is worth maybe shopping around different clinics for something routine like dental work?

 

[Spotherisk]

I find needing to clip claws is also somewhat breed related. I suppose it must be down to conformation.

My late BC x labrador never had her claws done. Not once in her life.

My current BC x GSD has also never had her claws done.

My two pointy faces have their nails trimmed every two weeks or so.

I clip Rew’s probably every two to three weeks. He stays lying flat out on the sofa whilst I get on with it, the epitome of the lazy lurcher!

 

[Esmae]

I find needing to clip claws is also somewhat breed related. I suppose it must be down to conformation.

My late BC x labrador never had her claws done. Not once in her life.

My current BC x GSD has also never had her claws done.

My two pointy faces have their nails trimmed every two weeks or so.

I clip my whippet's nails every month, except for one who gets checked but he's big and heavy for a whippet and that is what seems to make the difference.

 

[Spotherisk]

I clip my whippet's nails every month, except for one who gets checked but he's big and heavy for a whippet and that is what seems to make the difference.

Mine is a lurcher, 52cm and about 17kgs but he doesn’t wear them down at all, he’s never on tarmac or pavements though

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I feel like I am constantly doing Ivy's nails. They definitely do not wear down from pavement walking. She'll tolerate the nail grinder in exchange for kibbles but it's not a job either of us particularly like!

 

[AmyMay]

I've not used either personally, just had people tell me them were using Canident and happy with it

My order has just arrived.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Nail growth is usually to do with foot conformation/the surfaces they are kept or exercised on.

 

[Widgeon]

My order has just arrived.

ooh me too, let's compare notes in a few weeks

 

[Cortez]

ooh me too, let's compare notes in a few weeks

It took a few months to show results, but really has worked on my gammy lot (and the cat, who had appalling gingivitis, terrible breath and had lost teeth).