Quote: Ana Kozlowsky

Hi Natalya, I read the thread you are referring to and this was exactly my experience at the vet's - a long lecture and a lot of doubt as to usefulness of any dental repair for a dog fed a raw diet. After reading your thread I am freaking out again and definitely want to at least get an estimate for dental work from a *good reputable* dentist.

Ana,
The only change I have made to Oscar's diet since the root canal has been to stop feeding bones from large mammals (no cow, lamb, pig, goat bones - for RMB or recreation). Chicken and rabbit make up his primary source of RMBs, and I make up for lack of bone variety by feeding lots of different muscle meats. He gets NO recreational bones, just filled Kongs if I'm feeling generous. Oscar's tooth is still solid (the little seal that covered the top of the root canal came off within a year of the procedure, but I haven't felt compelled to go shell out another $500 to get it repaired because it's pretty much cosmetic).

It sounds like you've left your dog's fracture alone since you noticed it? And you included that photo, in which I didn't notice any pulp showing... so it may be just fine. The discoloration could just be plaque buildup and staining, though you're right to go have it looked at. Never hurts to get a professional assessment... I don't have any references for you, but there are enough members here from CA, someone very well might.

~Natalya

Wendy, you think the nylabone did this? I didn't know those things were that hard.

 Quote: Michael_Wise

Wendy, you think the nylabone did this? I didn't know those things were that hard.

Hey Mike,

yeah, i am 99% sure it's the nylabone. Now that's not to say that the Nylabone caused it. Im sure the tooth was compromised before that. It might've had a slight crack in it all along and chewing on the Nylabone (which is pretty solid, i bought the aggressive chewer one)didn't help. He just got the bone a couple weeks ago and i would say it's just as hard as any recreational bone. I just found a different nylabone the other day, it's a Flexi-nyal bone, a bit softer but is suppose to still stand up to some pretty hard chewing. Too bad i didn't find it sooner. but either way, the tooth would have to be looked at eventually.

He's still chews on that side, so im thinking positive.

didn't you have some troube with Turbo's teeth awhile ago? Or am i thinking of someone else?

No, Turbo had a cleaning a year ago. It was a long thread of Connie's where she also had a dog's teeth cleaned. I bet that's what you remember.

At least a tooth is not the end of the world, right? Could always be worse. I've heard of numerous dogs doing fine with an extraction if that is the route you end up going.

Are you still feeding raw? Any precautions there?

 Quote: Michael_Wise

No, Turbo had a cleaning a year ago. It was a long thread of Connie's where she also had a dog's teeth cleaned. I bet that's what you remember.

At least a tooth is not the end of the world, right? Could always be worse. I've heard of numerous dogs doing fine with an extraction if that is the route you end up going.

Are you still feeding raw? Any precautions there?

ok, i knew it was something for teeth.

and yes, a tooth (to me) isn't the end of the world. like i said, he'll still be handsome to me.
But we'll see what the vet say's. it maybe that he can keep the tooth, but if it means he wouldn't be able to chew, i might just get the tooth extracted anyway. That's a nightly ritual with him. After his walk and dinner it's the way he ends his day. Lying on his bed chewing on a bone . I'ld hate to take that away from him. It would be like someone taking away one of my nightly rituals...lol

finger's crossed.

oh, and yes...i did take the plunge raw for a weekend and found out unexpectedly that I was working for a week in ottawa, so i had to put the raw on the back burner as my BF would be taking care of him for the week i was away. So to make it simplier for him (the bf, not tucker) i put him back on kibble. High quality kibble, but kibble none the less. I'll take the plunge again, but want to wait until i have some vacation in the summer so i can make sure things go smoothly.

I hope it's ok to make the estimates public. Shouldn't it be ok if I don't disclose the doctor's information? I'll ask them tomorrow, just in case.

 Quote: Ana Kozlowsky

I hope it's ok to make the estimates public. Shouldn't it be ok if I don't disclose the doctor's information? I'll ask them tomorrow, just in case.

I tell people how much stuff cost me all the time.

If they don't want me to tell anybody, then I think they shouldn't charge me.