Old Dogs / Dental Surgery with Anesthesia

Keesha

Keesha

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Location
Canada 🇨🇦
https://toegrips.com/senior-dog-anesthesia/

Here is a good article about what could happen with older dogs having dental surgery. Below this article are some more heart wrenching stories to read about older dogs who were cleared for the anesthetic procedure yet never made it.

The other night we had to take our little Yorkie in to the emergency clinic. She had been having a tough time eating, scratching at her face and turning her head around in strange ways with her tongue stuck out. Every once in a while she’d squeal.

We figured it was either her teeth or collapsed trachea since Yorkie’s are prone to both these issues. We’d made a vet appointment to have her checked out but have been terrified that they’d recommend surgery to either pull her teeth or put a stint in her neck, both of which would require surgery.

In the past we have had her teeth professionally cleaned without anesthesia with great success but after getting her back from the vet hospital, it was strongly recommended she have some teeth pulled due to severe gingivitis and infection.

She’s 15 years old, walks at least an hour a day and is otherwise very healthy for an older dog but she does sometimes snore quite loud( due to infected sinuses or just that she’s an old dog ?)

We’ve used a holistic vet before who suggested we feed both our girls 50% meat ( a variety ) and 50% vegetables ( a variety ). This we were told is why her teeth are so bad as well as the fact that I don’t brush them which I agree with but the food has extended her life , without a doubt.
Like most dogs she hates her teeth being brushed and her mouth is so tiny it’s actually hard to do it but I’m going to start doing it again.

Have any of you had older dogs who needed this procedure done who were weary about the outcome and if so, how did you handle it?

Note: I fully understand that none of you are veterinaries so don’t expect professional advice here. I’m just interested in weighing the pros and cons of having dental surgery with an older dog.
Both my husband and I would be devastated to lose her.

Any suggestions besides going in to the vet to ask questions?
 

@Keesha, my little maltipoo has had this done a couple of times and recovered well. He's now about 15. The vet said some breeds are more prone to tooth decay, just as some people are, and maltipoos apparently drew short straw on dental DNA. Not sure where Yorkies fall on the spectrum.

Our dog apparently needs more teeth removed (this would be his third go-round) but we're putting it off because he doesn't appear to be in any pain.

It's not inexpensive to have this done - at least $400 each time. Also, next thing you know, other teeth will become problematic. Not saying the vets are eager to do this, but it's definitely an income generator.
 

StarSong said:
@Keesha, my little maltipoo has had this done a couple of times and recovered well. He's now about 15. The vet said some breeds are more prone to tooth decay, just as some people are, and maltipoos apparently drew short straw on dental DNA. Not sure where Yorkies fall on the spectrum.

Our dog apparently needs more teeth removed (this would be his third go-round) but we're putting it off because he doesn't appear to be in any pain.

It's not inexpensive to have this done - at least $400 each time. Also, next thing you know, other teeth will become problematic. Not saying the vets are eager to do this, but it's definitely an income generator.
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Yes yorkies are prone to tooth decay. My mother in laws Yorkie had no teeth at all. They all fell out.
Apparently, from my understanding, it has to do with their small mouth cavity.

I do know it’s expensive and am VERY aware that vet service is a business just like human hospitals which is why I want other opinions besides theirs and my own. Since I don’t really trust anyone, my opinion can be exceptionally counterproductive.

I think I’m going to call my holistic vet and ask if he has any recommendations.

While at the animal hospital the vet pulled out her back molar which she said was almost sideways. 😢Poor thing. I felt so guilty. Her mouth is so infected that her sinuses are also so I know this this needs dealing with and before we go.

Thanks Starsong.
Much appreciated ❤️
 
The vet will do tests to determine if she is healthy before doing the surgery. Of course, it isn't a guarantee.

I don't know where you live, but our area has vet specialists. There might be one for older dogs, or teeth or someone less general than a regular vet...not that there is anything wrong with regular vets but maybe you would feel better going to someone who only deals with this issue. Bad teeth can cause a dog to get a heart murmur and even congestive heart failure. Unfortunately I learned this the hard way with the first dog I ever had.

As for brushing teeth, my dogs love it and expect it. My Chihuahua, Roxie, who was quite old when she died never had to have her teeth cleaned and never lost a tooth. Any vet she went to always commented on how good her teeth looked.

Some dogs are more prone to having bad teeth. I think small dogs do.
 
Jeweltea said:
The vet will do tests to determine if she is healthy before doing the surgery. Of course, it isn't a guarantee.

I don't know where you live, but our area has vet specialists. There might be one for older dogs, or teeth or someone less general than a regular vet...not that there is anything wrong with regular vets but maybe you would feel better going to someone who only deals with this issue. Bad teeth can cause a dog to get a heart murmur and even congestive heart failure. Unfortunately I learned this the hard way with the first dog I ever had.

As for brushing teeth, my dogs love it and expect it. My Chihuahua, Roxie, who was quite old when she died never had to have her teeth cleaned and never lost a tooth. Any vet she went to always commented on how good her teeth looked.
Click to expand...
Thank you Jeweltea.
Yes the vets can do tests but sometimes even with these tests being cleared, some dogs still don’t make it which is why I added the link. It’s about dogs who had all the appropriate pre-tests done but didn’t make it. I’m sorry for your loss.

Did Roxie eat dry crunchie kibble?
That’s quite impressive. I wish my dog loved it. I think I gave up too soon. Oddly enough our schnoodle has gleaming white teeth but eats the same food as our Yorkie.
 
Our older Bichon had to have some teeth pulled a couple of years ago and they did put her out. Everything went very well and we are happy with the results. Rotten teeth are so, so much worse and can lead to all sorts of bad problems.

While your dog is out, have it checked for various growths and other things that can be addressed at the same time.
 
No, I couldn't feed Roxie dry food. She loved it too much and I think she ate it too fast. She always threw it up resulting in several vet bills before we figured out that she didn't have that problem with canned. My other Chihuahua, Jackie has had to have her teeth cleaned despite me brushing them so it does depend on the dog, even if they are the same breed.
 
Pecos said:
Our older Bichon had to have some teeth pulled a couple of years ago and they did put her out. Everything went very well and we are happy with the results. Rotten teeth are so, so much worse and can lead to all sorts of bad problems.

While your dog is out, have it checked for various growths and other things that can be addressed at the same time.
Click to expand...
Thanks Pecos. How old was/is your bichon?
I fully agree that rotting teeth can cause a lot of other problems. This definitely needs to be dealt with.
 
Jeweltea said:
No, I couldn't feed Roxie dry food. She loved it too much and I think she ate it too fast. She always threw it up resulting in several vet bills before we figured out that she didn't have that problem with canned. My other Chihuahua, Jackie has had to have her teeth cleaned despite me brushing them so it does depend on the dog, even if they are the same breed.
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Wow! That’s really interesting. We can’t get either of our dogs to eat dry food no matter what the brand. They just snub their nose at it.
That’s also very interesting that your two chihuahuas are so different. Perhaps the mouth cavity size doesn’t make a difference in all dogs.
Thanks 👍
 
When Mikey was alive he came to us with terrible tooth decay at age 4. We did not know how long he'd been abandoned but he certainly had been neglected. He had to have 3 teeth extracted straight off. Did very well, but had to eat soft food thereafter. After he died, we got Marley who we think, now, was aged 6 or 7, and here we go again. 2 tooth extractions and one was surgically realigned. She eats kibble and chews everything we give her. But, yesterday, when she woke up, as I was walking out of the bedroom, she got up from her bed and threw up. I went over and picked up a tooth. In the evening I give her a Denta-Stik chew to clean the plaque from her teeth and I think she pulled that tooth out with the chew, swallowed it and it made her sick. I looked in her mouth and did not see any evidence of trauma anywhere, so now I am perplexed as she's eating normally.
 
My maltipoo has always had to be enticed to eat. Food was never a motivator for him. If he doesn't feel like eating he'll turn his nose up at steak, chicken, salmon, etc.

If hungry, he'll eat pretty much whatever's offered, but generally only once a day, sometimes less often. You can only imagine what a challenge it is to give him meds he needs twice a day. (Gabapentin for nerve pain in his spine.)
 
Lewkat said:
When Mikey was alive he came to us with terrible tooth decay at age 4. We did not know how long he'd been abandoned but he certainly had been neglected. He had to have 3 teeth extracted straight off. Did very well, but had to eat soft food thereafter. After he died, we got Marley who we think, now, was aged 6 or 7, and here we go again. 2 tooth extractions and one was surgically realigned. She eats kibble and chews everything we give her. But, yesterday, when she woke up, as I was walking out of the bedroom, she got up from her bed and threw up. I went over and picked up a tooth. In the evening I give her a Denta-Stik chew to clean the plaque from her teeth and I think she pulled that tooth out with the chew, swallowed it and it made her sick. I looked in her mouth and did not see any evidence of trauma anywhere, so now I am perplexed as she's eating normally.
Click to expand...
Let's hope that Marley's problem was limited to only one tooth.
 
Keesha said:
Thank you Jeweltea.
Yes the vets can do tests but sometimes even with these tests being cleared, some dogs still don’t make it which is why I added the link. It’s about dogs who had all the appropriate pre-tests done but didn’t make it. I’m sorry for your loss.

Did Roxie eat dry crunchie kibble?
That’s quite impressive. I wish my dog loved it. I think I gave up too soon. Oddly enough our schnoodle has gleaming white teeth but eats the same food as our Yorkie.
Click to expand...
Same here. We had a German Shepherd/Lab mix during most of our maltipoo's life. They ate pretty much the same food. The MPs teeth were a problem, the GS/L's teeth were gorgeous. Go figure.
 
Lewkat said:
When Mikey was alive he came to us with terrible tooth decay at age 4. We did not know how long he'd been abandoned but he certainly had been neglected. He had to have 3 teeth extracted straight off. Did very well, but had to eat soft food thereafter. After he died, we got Marley who we think, now, was aged 6 or 7, and here we go again. 2 tooth extractions and one was surgically realigned. She eats kibble and chews everything we give her. But, yesterday, when she woke up, as I was walking out of the bedroom, she got up from her bed and threw up. I went over and picked up a tooth. In the evening I give her a Denta-Stik chew to clean the plaque from her teeth and I think she pulled that tooth out with the chew, swallowed it and it made her sick. I looked in her mouth and did not see any evidence of trauma anywhere, so now I am perplexed as she's eating normally.
Click to expand...
That would make me wonder. Was the tooth loose to begin with and the denta stick pulled it out? Maybe she ate too much of it which made her sick. They do have menthol in them which can be a bit irritating to some dogs digestive tracks. It’s probably great timing on your part that you gave her the denta stick when you did. Save yourself a couple of hundred dollars. We should have done the same 😆
 
I am glad she is being checked out by her regular vet. You will probably feel better about whatever they tell you should be done. I gave my 2 girls extra long teeth brushings tonight after reading this.
 
StarSong said:
My maltipoo has always had to be enticed to eat. Food was never a motivator for him. If he doesn't feel like eating he'll turn his nose up at steak, chicken, salmon, etc.

If hungry, he'll eat pretty much whatever's offered, but generally only once a day, sometimes less often. You can only imagine what a challenge it is to give him meds he needs twice a day. (Gabapentin for nerve pain in his spine.)
Click to expand...
Roxie would eat anything and everything. Jackie is extremely picky. She will skip meals sometimes and if anything is slightly different, she will not eat. She will not take pills either but fortunately she isn't on any right now. Our new dog is a Bulldog. She will eat anything.
 
I made an appointment with our vet today to get her teeth done. It’s obviously giving her problems including sinus infection and I think she’s healthy enough to handle it. Plus I think the salt from the ocean will really help her.
 

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