When Brodie is dozing in front of the TV I'd take my finger nail and
try to scrape some of that brown tartar off. If it scrapes off, I suspect his new diet will shine them up over time, or your vet could clean them. I think it will come off-there is a "chip" in the calculus on the back edge of the upper right canine, you can see a little triangle of "pearly white". If the material does not come off, it may be that the teeth are actually stained, either from your water, or possibly from administration of tetracycline when Brodie was a pup. His gums look healthy and I don't see any serious buildup of calculus at the gumline.

My newest company Shepherd had horrible teeth when we got him at 2.5 years old. My vet said his teeth looked like a 10 year old dog's. That said, I put him on Hill's T/D (tartar/dental) for the past 2 months and that did wonders! His molars are super clean and there is a trace of tartar on the canines (where they don't chew). He does not do well with brushing so I have him on a supplement called Plaque Off. The vet said it takes approx. 3 weeks to see the results of Plaque Off. I'll hold off judging until then. You can Google that product and the pricing is reasonable.

But first, I'd definitely try the T/D from Hill's.

Kansas K9

 Quote: Richard Seward

But first, I'd definitely try the T/D from Hill's.

Kansas K9

Top 8 Ingredients in Hill's Prescription Diet t/d Canine Original Bites Dry Food

Brewers rice: Cheap source of protein, waste product of brewers industry. Indicates poor quality white rice which can cause diabetes in dogs.

Ground whole grain corn: Contains all nutrients of corn but indicates the use of feed-grade (old, moldy), not human-grade (healthier, fresher), can cause allergies, weight gain, blood sugar imbalances.

Chicken by-product meal: Ground up carcasses, internal organs, beaks, feet. Concentrated.

Powdered cellulose: Suspected to include recycled cardboard.

Pork fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid): Can be rancid or 4-D (dead, dying, disabled, diseased) regardless of natural Vitamin E and C preservatives. Misleading.

Soybean mill run: This is the sweepings off the floor-cheap filler, poor source of protein.

Dried egg product: Cheap source of protein, waste product of egg industry, free of shell.

Chicken liver flavor: Poor quality of flavor additive, artificial flavors can be carcinogenic.



GROSSSSSSSSS!!!!! Totally inadequate nutrition.

Tim- here is the water additive my vet uses, and recommends. She's a very strong believer in regular dental work, and supports this product.

http://www.virbacvet.com/cet/products/category/water_additives/

That chem uses Xylitol which has a pretty good track record in human dental care. +

On the mechanical side, to get some scraping action on the canines, I've been thinking of just cutting a whole chicken in half and letting him gnaw his way through it. Not every day of course, but maybe 2 or 3 times a month.

Are there other gnawing options that can work the canines?

I thought that Xylitol was toxic to dogs? But then again, Virbac wouldn't put something in there that would be toxic,right?

I have heard to keep sugar free gum away from dogs, because it could be toxic.... Connie, where are you?

Ok, I just found this hmmm, wonder why Virbac has this in their product?
http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/toxicology/qt/xylitol_tox.htm

Very conflicting info, I don't get it?
read down where it says http://vetmedicine.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=vetmedicine&cdn=homegarden&tm=6&f=00&tt=13&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www2.aspca.org/site/DocServer/vetm0207f_095-100_.pdf%3FdocID%3D10462

It is toxic to dogs, i wouldn't use it. I had a bad incident about 8 months ago with my dog who almost died. Talking with the vet they told me sugarless gum with this ingredient Xylitol will at the least make your dog sick, at the worst, kill them. it is bad, I would not use it. sharon

I love the picture of your collie. I used to have 3 collies, I just love collies.
I have been looking for remedies too. Like this thread.
Sharon

According to the makers of that product:

http://www.virbacvet.com/images/resources/detailers/AquaDent_MiniDetailer.pdf

"Based on published studies of xylitol toxicity in
dogs and the APCC’s (Animal Poison Control Center)
experience, proper use of this product (according
to label directions) should not present a risk of
hypoglycemia in dogs. In addition, no significant
hepatic toxicity would be expected either."
Eric K. Dunayer, MS, VMD, DABT; Risk Assessment of Xylitol in Dogs and Cats, APCC-2006

Interesting.

Does it have any physical side effects? Taken internally, what are the ingredients.
Love, sharon