Chew Bones & Broken Teeth

• 05-15-2008 6:28 PM

  TAOofGoldyShep Joined on 10-22-2006 Posts 1,315 Points 10

  Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact I noticed that Myrika has broken a couple of teeth, most likely from going to town on the chew bones. She doesn't seem to be in any pain even though she knocked off quite a bit. I forgot to mention it (and show them) to the Vet last time I was in there. Willow and Oakley chew hard and their teeth are fine. I think Myrika takes the chewing to whole 'nother level though. Is this happening to anybody else?

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• 05-15-2008 8:09 PM

  In reply to TAOofGoldyShep

  GypsyNBeau Joined on 11-29-2006 missouri Posts 366 Points 20	Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact Gypsy recently chipped the ends off of both of her canines.  It happened in one sitting.  I think it was my fault though and the bone was too hard.  She has never chipped a tooth before.  They don't seem to be bothering her any either.
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• 05-16-2008 3:02 PM

  In reply to GypsyNBeau

  sandra_slayton Joined on 09-10-2007 Ingleside, Texas Posts 3,195 Points 0	Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact One of the goldens on one of my golden retriever forums broke a molar in half and it had to be pulled.  she did it on a nylobone (?).  At least that is the thought as she does not get any real bones and has no heard toys and doesn't chew on things like rocks.
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• 05-16-2008 3:57 PM

  In reply to TAOofGoldyShep

  lisak Joined on 09-10-2007 Northern NJ Posts 282 Points 100

  Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact My dog, Kodi had a slab fracture on an upper pre-molar on each side - one in Sept 2005 and the other Sept 2007.  Both teeth had to be removed.  I don't know exactly what caused the teeth to fracture, but he no longer gets hard things to chew on.   Also, years ago, my vet said my 10 yr old dog had two cracked crowns.  He said they almost always abscess and he was right - at least about the one.  One morning I got up and the whole side of her face was swollen.  She had to have it removed.  I think the cause was bully sticks, but I can't swear to it.

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• 05-16-2008 4:27 PM

  In reply to TAOofGoldyShep

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 5,712 Points 4,170	Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact  Yep, Dakota has broken many teeth over the years. Now she only gets rawhides. No hard knuckle bones, no cow hooves, etc. She had to have 1 canine removed.
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• 05-16-2008 10:43 PM

  In reply to Jewlieee

  TAOofGoldyShep Joined on 10-22-2006 Posts 1,315 Points 10	Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact Thanks for the great replies. Jewlieee mentions rawhide - what is everyone using for chewing action alternatives?
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• 05-17-2008 2:34 PM

  In reply to TAOofGoldyShep

  HoundMusic Joined on 09-01-2007 Bronx, NY Posts 486 Points 0

  Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact      Two of my Beagles have/had broken carnassal teeth ... which are the worst teeth to break because the root extends all the way up to the eye, and is not easy to pull. My bitch had a broken carnassal from eating a beef rib - it broke in half and was so bad there was pulp exposed :(  It became infected ... she had a huge lump underneath her eye and it cost me $600-700 for antibiotics plus the extracted tooth. Now I have an 8y.o. Beagle with TWO broken carnassals from beef ribs/necks. They're not broken as badly so I'm holding off on getting them pulled. A few of mine also have some stress cracks from raw bones, so we obviously don't give anything harder than chicken anymore. When they do get raw, it's mostly muscle meat/beef scraps.      FYI, since I cut down on the amount of bones I feed, I've had great luck keeping teeth sparkling with baking soda mixed with warm water. It forms into a paste and I'll brush their teeth with that. It's very inexpensive, and really does wonders for cleaning the funk off teeth I find I've been using rawhides very often, and have never had broken teeth or other problems with a good quality rawhide bone.

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• 05-19-2008 9:28 AM

  In reply to HoundMusic

  TAOofGoldyShep Joined on 10-22-2006 Posts 1,315 Points 10

  Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact I like them to chew because they have a need to chew, not just for clean teeth, so I am on the hunt for some chewing alternatives that aren't so rough on their teeth. A softer Nylabone might do the trick. I really like your toothpaste idea, what parts of each water and baking soda do you mix? How do they tolerate the taste? We use flavored, enzymatic toothpaste but I like the idea of using baking soda better.

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• 05-29-2008 2:55 PM

  In reply to TAOofGoldyShep

  TAOofGoldyShep Joined on 10-22-2006 Posts 1,315 Points 10	Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact TAOofGoldyShep: I really like your toothpaste idea, what parts of each water and baking soda do you mix? How do they tolerate the taste? We use flavored, enzymatic toothpaste but I like the idea of using baking soda better. BUMP!
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• 05-30-2008 12:23 PM

  In reply to TAOofGoldyShep

  AgileGSD Joined on 09-16-2007 Posts 450 Points 0

  Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact  I used to give beef bones all the time to my dogs. My two ten year olds teeth are badly worn down and my 9 year old has some cracked teeth. The younger dogs are fairing much better as I the hardest bones I give are beef ribs and not often. I feed raw so they still get chicken backs, turkey necks, chunks of tripe and other good stuff to chew on. Some dogs have naturally softer, easier to break teeth which is why some seem to have more problems than others. The best alternative for recreational chewing IME is stuffed Kongs.

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• 05-31-2008 11:20 AM

  In reply to AgileGSD

  BCMixs Joined on 01-10-2008 Virginia Posts 1,400 Points 25

  Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact  Indie is a powerful chewer and I have to keep a close eye on him with bones, I don't want any of your experiences!  But he also loves to destroy cloth things, so I buy fleece remnants at the fabric store and tie lots of knots into them, weave them with macrame knots, etc. and it keeps him occupied for a while chewing them into shreds, which luckily he doesn't swallow like the tennis balls he likes to destroy and will eat if left alone.  He also loves to chew on his Kong ball, which he hasn't managed to get a single bit off of (which is a miracle!) he walks around chomping on it like a big-haired Southern hairdresser!  LOL! 30 lbs. by Christmas, down 4 lbs., 26 to go!!!

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• 05-31-2008 11:38 AM

  In reply to TAOofGoldyShep

  snownose Joined on 09-29-2006 Michigan to Southeast Posts 5,178 Points 405	Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact I quit giving bones a long time ago....many years ago Luke( GSD passed away last year) broke one of his teeth by chewing a bone.....that was enough for me......my dogs get plenty to chew and my almost 9 year old GSD has marvelous teeth...... Not bad for an older dog, eh......
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• 06-01-2008 6:08 PM

  In reply to snownose

  BTmomma Joined on 12-07-2007 Groves, Texas Posts 817 Points 320

  Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact Bailey broke one of her puppy teeth and I didn't know it until her breath started to have a funny smell... i opened her mouth and was probing around the back teeth and sure enough, one was all the way brown... I already had a vet check up scheduled, so I showed it to him when we came in and he said it was cracked.  I assume it was from a bone because she doesnt chew on anything else... he didn't do anything for her tooth because it was a baby tooth and he said it would fall out... week later, that bad boy fell out and breath was much fresher!

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• 06-12-2008 11:25 AM

  In reply to TAOofGoldyShep

  DogPark Joined on 06-04-2007 Posts 185 Points 0

  Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact I am the same way- Mosby loves to chew and I know it is good for his teeth and gums but the harder bones so a number on him so I have been finding softer alternatives like the Kong for senior dogs (it's a bit softer than the original Kong), raw hides and dental treats like bright bites. I have looked at the tooth brushes and stuff but Mosby is really not a fan of me trying to brush his teeth...

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• 06-12-2008 12:32 PM

  In reply to DogPark

  TAOofGoldyShep Joined on 10-22-2006 Posts 1,315 Points 10	Re: Chew Bones & Broken Teeth Reply Contact We do brush their teeth and actually they are really good about it. They like the taste of the toothpaste, peanut butter. You kind of have to wrestle with their tongue a bit but they sit there with no problem. I bought a larger Kong which Myrika loves, as well as some Nylabone chews (the softer ones that don't cut up thier gums) which they all love.
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