Dog Community

Bibbon's broken tooth, vet visit and a little venting

Posted : 5/23/2013 5:05:28 PM

I was bracing myself for Ribbon's vet visit. I always suffer from sticker shock at my vets and knowing Ribbon had some teeth issues, had sustained a small scratch to her eye I wanted looked at, was due for her annual exam and this was her first visit since her "episode" in April - I knew it was going to be expensive. My regular vet was not there so I also knew I was going to have to explain myself again on why I prefer to minimize the vaccines to required and high risk. Sigh.

After the vet reviewed Ribbon's history we talked about her teeth. I said there was some tartar build up (although the brushing has almost eliminated it) and asked if it was typical in such a young dog. She said I would be surprised and proceeded to check her computer to schedule a dental cleaning. WOW!!! "You mean like a dental cleaning under anesthetic dental cleaning????" I kind of let that hang as she then had a look at the broken tooth. There was a spot of discolouration that looked like exposed pulp. I had noticed the spot a few days prior and wondered if she had broken off more of her tooth. The vet said she would like to refer me to a dental specialist who was a couple hours away and highly recommended him. I found it odd as I live in a city with like 5 million people. Isn't there a highly recommended dentist in Toronto? She then turned back to scheduling the cleaning. WFT? I said, "If she is going to have work done by the dentist why wouldn't I just have the teeth cleaned then?"

So now she has kind of lost me - but we move on to the scratched eye. The scratch happen a week ago while Ribbon was playing with one of her doggy friends. I didn't even know it had happened until later there was a bit of blood. Her eye looked red but I couldn't see any cut or scratch. I washed her eye and used an antibiotic cream for the week. It seemed fine but it never hurts to have it looked at. The vet without even looking at the eye told me she would put dye in both eyes and if there was any kind of a scratch the dye would be absorbed. WOW!!!! "Can't you just look at it first and see what you think?????" - which she ended up doing and said it looked fine.

Now I just want the annual done and her vacs thinking I will just speak with my regular vet tomorrow. As they are finishing up with Ribbon I go the to dreaded cash register. I got a hour exam/consultation, blood work, vaccine, urine & fecal test, heartworm and tic test etc. for under $400. Made my day!

Spoke with my regular vet and have decided to have a consultation with his dentist. My vet said I have 2 options 1. Wait and watch (which he does not recommend), says it could be fine for 5 yrs or 5 months. 2. Have a root canal. I know I can also have it extracted. Does anyone have opinions on these options or have any experience with root canals?

calliecritturs

Posted : 5/23/2013 5:44:13 PM

The only way they can tell if there is any sort of injury to the eye is with the dye -- I've had it done on the dogs numerous times, and ... unfortunately on me as well. Most lesions just can't be seen by the naked eye. In honesty an eye injury is "vet ASAP" for me -- because they can be so invisible and cost their sight pretty fast, so honestly you were lucky. The tooth? I've never had a root canal done on a dog, but I've seen numerous teeth extracted. So I really can't comment there. MY vet will simply mask them down for a dental -- but he knows them, they TRUST him totally ... but that way they don't have to be sedated (which runs into potential sedation/anesthesia problems). Not sure if any of that helped?

Freedom

Posted : 5/23/2013 5:55:35 PM

Willy broke a tooth last year, didn't know about it. One day I'm looking in his mouth and I see the HUGE BROWN BLOB. Off to the vet. That was tartar /plaque build up along the crack. He had the tooth - er, what remained of it - removed.
I don't know that I'd spend money on a root canal for a dog. I've never had the option. I'd really have to think about doing that.
My dogs are rescues, all of them have needed teeth out at one time or another. And again, due to them being rescues, it always requires anesthesia. And pain meds once home, as well as antibiotics.
My vet does the dental work, I'm not familiar with a vet dental specialist, so I guess I'm not being much help to you!

Jewlieee

Posted : 5/23/2013 7:27:33 PM

I have not personally had a root canal done on a y of my dogs but have heard of others doing it and the vet told them after that the dog would not be able to chew any bones and such because the tooth would be fragile. To me that would have been key info to have before having the root canal. Dogs need to chew! Anyway, I had the option thrown at me recently with abbies broken tooth: root canal, extraction, or wait and see. I chose wait and see. I don't see a reason to put a dog under and do unnecessary dental work if you don't have to. Once the wait and see approach expires I will do extraction. I have had dogs that broke teeth in the past and had them removed and the dog was just fine. So, extraction is the way to go Imo.

FrisbyPI

Posted : 5/23/2013 8:04:08 PM

I've gone the extraction route, too. I likely would not do a root canal on a dog. My regular vet does the dental and extractions, if needed.

I hope Ribbon is feeling OK!

JackieG

Posted : 5/23/2013 8:35:06 PM

Several past dogs of mine have had extractions. Rex had a cracked tooth sealed recently. It was less expensive than an extraction and was a small crack. So far so good. My regular vets have always done the cleanings and extractions, if needed.