Dental Care for Dogs and Cats

 Today is the day my 15 year old dog, Austen, goes to the Vet for his teeth to be cleaned.  It is way past due and I know he will lose some teeth, but at least he will be getting his teeth cared for properly.  Dental cleanings are truly very expensive in today's economy and many pet owners choose to skip them due to the cost.

Unfortunately, my Austen has a significant heart murmur and takes daily medication to prevent worsening of his heart muscles. Having a pre-existing condition, especially heart condition, makes dental care a top priority as infection in his mouth can travel into his heart and kill him (which I am not prepared to deal with yet).

He is my heart.  I love this dog very much and want to do everything I can do to help him stay healthy and happy for a few more years.  Since he is a small dog (14 lbs.) he should be able to live to 20 years if well cared for.  Not only do I give him daily medications, I also have him on special Veterinary prescribed food and treats.  We walk every day to keep his heart strong. I am doing as much as I can for his physical health and this has to include dental cleanings and care.

He had his pre-surgery lab work done and his labs are even better than my own! That made me happy to know that what we are doing is working.  Good lab results gave the vet a go-ahead for anesthesia during his dental cleaning.  Since he is a heart patient, the vet used anesthesia that is gentle on his heart. 

I followed the pre-op instructions and withheld food that morning, although I did get him to take his medication prior.  We made that short trip to the vet and the tech came out to get him.  As they were walking away, I began to cry.  I just wanted to grab him back and go home because I was so worried about him and this procedure.

I didn't grab him and left instead.  When I got home, I was a basket-case of nerves and anxiety, but I knew he was in very capable and competent hands and he really needed to have his teeth cleaned.

While I fretted, of course I researched online about what was happening to him and what to expect when he came home.  Here are some of the things I found out:
In the article, "Pet Dental Health Facts and Fiction", there is a list of several myths about dental cleaning and dental health for your pets.  Each of these fictions is discussed at length in the article.

1. Fiction: Dental disease is only a problem of older pets.

1. Fiction: It is impossible to effectively brush my pet’s teeth.

1. Fiction: I can save money and get just as good results with non-anesthetic dental cleanings and they are better for my pet because they do not involve risky anesthetics.

1. Fiction: I would know if my pet had a serious dental problem or painful mouth.

1. Fiction: My pet can live with bad teeth, it just gives him/her bad breath.

1. Fiction: I just give my dog bones and chew toys to chew on and that naturally cleans his/her teeth.

In another article, "9 Little-Known Facts About Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats",
the author talks about things you may not know about dental disease in animals. 

One such nugget of information is, "As many as 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease by the time they’re just two years old[1]." This fact blew my mind. I did not know this! The other 8 facts are just a mind-blowing so be sure to read the article.

In another article, "Tips for Better Dental Health in Dogs", the author gives 10

great tips on ways to keep your dog's mouth healthy.  One of the list is an in-depth technique for brushing your pet's teeth at home.  I found this article to be really helpful and I plan to initiate some of these steps when he feels better.

Then I found this article, "What to Expect During Your Pet’s Dental Procedure"

that gives you a very thorough look at what happens during your pet's dental cleaning.  It was good to learn exactly what my baby was going through so I will be better prepared to take care of him afterward.

And finally, in this article, "How to Care for Your Pet After a Dental Procedure"

I learned exactly what I was to do for Austen when I got him back home.  It was really nice to have this information so I would know what was normal and what was not. 

Reading these articles helped me deal with my anxiety and when Austen was ready to come home, I felt I was well prepared.  The vet called and said to come get him around 4pm and I flew to the hospital to pick him up and bring him home.

He lost 7 teeth! That is all my fault and I feel horrid because of it! He was very groggy and all he wanted to do was sleep so I let him sleep in his bed next to me.

  I am so glad that is all over and I will not let it go so long in the future.  Yes, it is expensive, but if done regularly it is less costly.  Now, I have to get this paid for and schedule my other baby, Diva, for her cleaning next.  Pet ownership of elderly dogs is a never ending process of medications, special food and treats, and treatments, but I love my dogs and I am responsible to keep them healthy.