Tooth extraction concern

[planete]

Two years ago I took our newly adopted greyhound to our vets and was told he needed some teeth extracted. This was done but we were asked to bring him back to have one more tooth taken out as the vet had stopped operating after two hours due to safety concerns at being under for any longer. It took our dog several days to recover and when I looked at the tooth still to be removed and the gum around it I could see no cause for concern. I did not take him back for his second operation reasoning he could have it done later if it started looking iffy. Two years later the tooth is still there and no other vet has flagged it as a concern when checking his teeth. I went back over the vet's invoices and we were not billed for x-rays so the vet was going to remove this last tooth without any proof it needed removing.

I feel rather cross about this and would now require x-rays to be done at the time of any extraction to verify it was necessary unless obviously diseased. Am I missing something? Am I wrong to think the vet should not have planned to extract a tooth that is still sound two years later?

 

[Red-1]

I have had the same thing with mum's old dog. They wanted a GA and around 1K for teeth that were admittedly covered in tartar but were pain free. The dog is a woose and would really object if he were in pain.

I was constantly berated when they read his notes but, interestingly, only 6 months after the initial exam, a different vet examined him and thought his teeth were good for his age and no issues - that was before reading his notes!

I think it will be about 4 years ago. He has less tartar now, as a result of adding powder to his feed and and liquid to his water.

He is now 14 and some teeth are even a little wobbly. I recently quit the original vet as I was sick of being almost accused of neglect, not just for this dog but also for the 17 year old dog for whom I refused GA for removal of numerous fatty lumps.

The new vet agreed that the teeth were a little loose with age, but no infection and no pain. This vet said he would not have them removed either as they are not causing any issue. He would also not remove the fatty lumps on the other dog.

The first vet was part of a big chain who were always up-selling services. The second is an independent. The second also used to be a cow vet and is a lot more practical. It was not about money; they are now on pain meds for stiffness that cost about double what they were on before but are less likely to harm the organs of elderly dogs. It was about quality of life V risks. Also, the little dog is tiny with a little rat jaw and I believed that removing teeth would have weakened what is already very fragile. He still, years later, eats hard biscuits, plays with chew rope toys, throwing and tugging. Eats with no hesitation and seems happy and healthy.

 

[SOS]

You can not fully examine a dogs teeth unless they are under GA. This is because most of the tooth is under the gum line a bit like an ice burg.

Dental radiographs are best practice but not all practices can do them - you can’t carry them out very well on your standard X-ray machine as they require a specific head and plates. So if you can’t do radiographs you probe the teeth under the gum line to check for disease. If the vet who examined the dogs teeth under GA, thinks the tooth needed removing, it probably did as they have been able to look at it closely and check its condition under the gum.

It’s amazing how many teeth can look fine but be rotting away under the gum line.

Animals are very good at hiding chronic pain and are driven by instinct to eat and if you have ever experienced dental pain, you will know how horrific it can be. If you’re not sure whether to tooth should be extracted or not, go to a vet that does dental radiographs and get some done.

It’s something I feel quite strongly about. I’m all for selective management of older pets but I couldn’t cope with not keeping them pain free. But if the idea of pain isn’t enough. Dental disease also isn’t just “bad teeth” - it can lead to further disease such as dental abscesses, infected and fractured jaws and the extra bacteria build up in the mouth can cause systemic disease. Dogs with untreated dental disease have been shown to have a shorter life span, higher chance of liver, kidney and cardiac issues…

 

[planete]

You can not fully examine a dogs teeth unless they are under GA. This is because most of the tooth is under the gum line a bit like an ice burg.

Dental radiographs are best practice but not all practices can do them - you can’t carry them out very well on your standard X-ray machine as they require a specific head and plates. So if you can’t do radiographs you probe the teeth under the gum line to check for disease. If the vet who examined the dogs teeth under GA, thinks the tooth needed removing, it probably did as they have been able to look at it closely and check its condition under the gum.

It’s amazing how many teeth can look fine but be rotting away under the gum line.

Animals are very good at hiding chronic pain and are driven by instinct to eat and if you have ever experienced dental pain, you will know how horrific it can be. If you’re not sure whether to tooth should be extracted or not, go to a vet that does dental radiographs and get some done.

It’s something I feel quite strongly about. I’m all for selective management of older pets but I couldn’t cope with not keeping them pain free. But if the idea of pain isn’t enough. Dental disease also isn’t just “bad teeth” - it can lead to further disease such as dental abscesses, infected and fractured jaws and the extra bacteria build up in the mouth can cause systemic disease. Dogs with untreated dental disease have been shown to have a shorter life span, higher chance of liver, kidney and cardiac issues…

Thank you for explaining. This is exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for. I can have a chat about a potential problem with this particular tooth with a different vet as we are now with another practice and will also enquire about their x-rays facilities.

 

[AmyMay Again]

My dog has had teeth extracted and wasn't x-rayed beforehand. It never occurred to me to be honest that it should be done. Although I appreciate it makes sense. But I trust my vets assessment of her health and their need for removal.

 

[Umbongo]

As stated, not all vets will have dental x-ray. Teeth are better assessed under GA where they can be probed around and under the gum line. Dental X-ray is gold standard, as many teeth that look ok...actually have awful roots or visa versa. It may also be worth checking with your vets if they did dental X-rays, many may not invoice them separately as they could be "built in" to the dental charge.

I have worked in a veterinary for many years, and haven't come across many vets that actually like dentals. So I can assure you that most will not remove teeth for no reason, especially a large stable tooth in a greyhound which would be very difficult to remove....that would be many vets worst nightmare

 

[poiuytrewq]

Our dog was not xrayed before and to the untrained eye with a wiggly dog all looked good, he ate and seemed very happy but it was cracked. He struggled with and after the GA. I'm very glad we did it now and I know there was really no option but i understand your wariness.