My senior adoptee goes tomorrow a.m. for a dental workup under G.A.

While he is "under," a cysty thing on his eyelid will be aspirated and probably removed. (I am reading a dog cancer book, and just found out that the eyelid is a common cancer site! Who knew?)

As concerned as I am about his age, I am so glad to be getting his teeth in order. He came to me after a life on crap food, and even though real food actually made his teeth look somewhat better within a year or so, which impressed me quite a bit, he probably has 7 years' worth of plaque (and then he had 3 years' worth of real food).

I hope that he does even close to this well:
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=228982#Post228980

I will be thinking about him,
and I'm sure in your care he will be fine in no time!

Hey Connie...True and I are sending our best to your guy and to you.

I'm sure all will be fine and completely routine. I know with your care no dog could be in better hands.

He's gonna be really really mad.

He has never been without his dog "family" since he came to me, and he doesn't like the vet, and he hates to have his head touched.

Three for three.

(This is the one who screamed when I left the house for his first several weeks, and I had to go tell all the neighbors that he was not being tortured.)

Not to mention no breakfast tomorrow. Another very bad first.

Sarah, do you know if he can have water in the morning? Or is that part of the fast?

Turbo goes for the same thing Friday.:smile:

Our vet told me no water, either.

I can't wait for his "clean slate".

His teeth where pretty bad before raw. He's had real food for a little over 2 years. It has helped a ton, but there are a few places that his closely spaced teeth don't allow for cleaning naturally.

The last vet talked me out of a dental because he said his teeth weren't "that bad". The current one said the same, but I insisted. I want as much plaque and tarter gone as possible. Even a little can't be as healthy as none.

Starting Friday I am going to be very proactive about helping him keep his teeth clean. Just a simple wipe with a towel on his problem areas. I don't think it will take much.

No water in the morning, Connie.

And if he's a stealthy guy make sure you close the bathroom door tonight. More than one dog I know has been driven to drink out of the toilet bowl.

Wishing Turbo all the best on Friday, too.

Edited by Sarah Morris (02/25/2009 11:04 PM)
Edit reason: ETA:

My dog had most of her bottom jaw cut off when she was just about 16 years old. (She had cancer). This requred a very long drive, several nights stay in the hospital including two blood transfusions plus the major surgery. Mind you, she was the most benign mannered dog ever, and always took everything in stride, but when I got her home she was like a puppy again. In fact I don't think she slept for two days; she was too busy!

I guarantee you, when your old dog comes home (and gets over being mad) he will feel sooo much better. Especially if he had a rotten tooth or something - you never know. I am sure the little guy will come through with flying colours.

I *WISH* more than anything that I hadn't waited so long to get my dog's surgery, and I'm sure you will find at the end there was nothing to worry about as well! Especially if you have a great veterinary team like I did.

My current vet does allow water before surgery. If you want to be extra cautious, you should withhold it. If in doubt, call them and ask, they will be glad to help you.

I did not give water, having read the posts last night. :-)

Same thing here, Michael. Raw improved them, but I want him to be have no dental problems. I can see plaque in there. Who know what's happening inside?

It will be a long day for me! This is a senior bracheocephalic guy, and general anesthesia is kinda scary with them.

He will need a cone too, for the eyelid surgery. Poor guy. Luckily, they use only the soft ones now.

But yes. It's a GOOD THING, all the way around. :-)

Connie, Michael, good luck on your dog's dentistry!

Luc needs his done, despite the raw. Teagan attacked away my fund and more for Luc's dental work last year, but I'm going to talk to the vet about pricing when we're there for Teagan's checkup Saturday (they gave us the first appointment and booked 2 appointments to minimize any aggression issues in terms of the waiting room, which is small, which I thought was so nice) - I'm thinking Luc will go in for his cleaning in the next couple of months.

I heard my dental staff offer another owner a dental workup plan of half up front and then two payments of post-dated checks (a month apart).

This was to get her in under the February special.

I would not be embarrassed to ask, if you are a long-time client. In fact, I will be giving half today and the rest next week. (I arranged it ahead of time.)

I admit that years ago, I didn't realize how important dental care was for dogs. Not until I started studying nutrition and common ailments did I discover how gum and tooth disease affects every system in their bodies, exactly like us. I have no idea why I didn't realize that, but I think it was because I had heard so many vets be so cavalier about it (like Michael said). Then reading about how how creating various breeds also screwed around with the teeth-jaw alignments, then feeding commercial diets .....