Missilesmom Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 (edited) We've had Missile for two years and he came with the usual bad teeth. He had a low cost (about $300) dental cleaning (with anesthesia) by a greyhound specialist vet the first year we had him. He came thru like a champ, but I have to say that I thought his teeth would have been "cleaner". He still had the smoker's teeth look and after a while the bad breath came back. Brushing has been extremely difficult. He basically doesn't let me get to his teeth. The best I can do is let him chew the brush with toothpaste on it. A few weeks ago I took him to a dental vet specialist in the area for an assessment, and to his regular vet (not the vet that did his first dental) because we thought he wasn't feeling well and couldn't figure out what was wrong. He just seemed tired, a little withdrawn and not having fun. The dental doc could not do a thorough exam because she said Missile was "painful", meaning his mouth hurt so much, he resisted the exam. No wonder he wouldn't let me brush. His regular vet identified a heart murmur. Level 2 on the 1 (low)to 6 (high)scale. Then we had an ultrasound to make sure nothting else was going on. He was cleared for his dental today. We are expecting extractions. He went under on propofol (injectable anesthesia) and will be given sevoflurine for the gas anesthetic. So far the vet bills add up to about $800 and we expect the dental to range from $2K to $2.8K. But you know, to me it will be worth it if my boy is better. I wish I had not gone the cheap way the first time around. He might have been feeling better sooner. Edited December 29, 2009 by Missilesmom Quote BABY, HE WAS BORN TO RUN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missilesmom Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 Vet just called. So far 4 teeth need to be removed. I am not suprised. A few are dead and some have severe bone loss. My poor boy, must have been in pain. They are going to finish the right side and then get to the left side of his mouth. Anyone know about how long the recovery might take? Ken is home but I am thinking I want to be home too. Quote BABY, HE WAS BORN TO RUN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 No advice, just sending prayers for a quick recovery for Missile. Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest UESBrindle Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I have no experience with extractions. In May we took William to a dental specialist because his gum line was receding, but he was able to keep them all for now. It took him about a day or two to come back to "normal" with the anesthesia. I do hope he heals quickly. I'm sure he'll feel much better after this is all done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missilesmom Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 Thanks for the good wishes. It's hard to focus while I wait. I think I'll go try to brush Bandit's teeth now. He's next for a dental exam after we are all through with Missile. Prayers for my sweet, sweet boy. Quote BABY, HE WAS BORN TO RUN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phall Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I'm thinking of you and Missile, Ann Marie. I hope the dental is done soon. I know what you mean - I'd want to be home too. Let us know what the final result is on extractions, etc. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missilesmom Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 OK, it's looking like 5 extractions total. We pick him up in about 90 minutes. He is doing well under anesthesia, they probably stopped it by now and he is coming out. Can't wait to see him and let him lean on me. I am going to get to see before and after pictures. Based on someone else's post, I said, "please don't give me his teeth." If anyone has post extraction recommendations, I'd welcome then. Maria, thanks for your email. ;-) Quote BABY, HE WAS BORN TO RUN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Just sending love to you and Missile! Energy had only four teeth when he was sent to The Bridge at 11.5. He REALLY had horrible teeth. You are doing the right thing by getting all of this done. Hugs and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Diamond had 23 teeth extracted at one time by a dentist. Onyx had 15 and Pearl 12. Each visit cost me an arm and a leg, but I much preferred the result. Their mouths seemed sore for a day or two but then they started eating regularly again. For the first day or two I made scrambled eggs, which, even with a sore mouth they all snarfed down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missilesmom Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 Wow. Now THAT gives me hope and perspective! Quote BABY, HE WAS BORN TO RUN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gretzky Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Just seeing this. Glad it's over and prayers that Missile has a quick, uneventful recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Good thoughts, big hug and prayers to Missile that all is OK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missilesmom Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share Posted December 30, 2009 OK, we're home and all seems to be well. 5 teeth removed and he's on the Tramadol as expected, plus a few other things. He's got that stare at you and not blink junkie look, which is fine by me if he is not in pain and we've got the problem taken care of. Ken and I got him out of the car (2 person deadlift) and put him down gently and his back legs just caved slowly. So we both leaned in and let him rest laying on the ground. Then he easily got up and peed one of the longest pees in history. I'll be sleeping with him & Bandit downstairs tonight. Just in case we need to "go out" in the middle of the night. I have to say how impressed I am with the Dental Vet that I went to. They were recommended by a friend whose niece is a vet surgeon in VA. I learned so much more about dental care and technique from them in the assessment and post op discussions than I had in 2 years of regular vet visists. They spent about 20 minutes with us debriefing after the surgery today before we got to see Missile. I have in my possession color pictures of his teeth for before and after and 2 contact sheets of xrays. They were really fantastic. http://www.veterinarydental.com/ In case anyone locally in Boston is interested. Quote BABY, HE WAS BORN TO RUN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TexasGreytMom Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 So glad that Missile is on this side of his procedure! What a trooper~! I'm sure he'll feel so much better soon! Happy for you both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riverbosun Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Just seeing this. I used a specialist too in Acton and was very impressed. Hope Missile is recovering quickly. Quote Barbara Majestic and Ranger "If you want to hear the patter of little feet I'll put shoes on my dogs." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I hope Missile had a restful night. Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fastdogs Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Glad to hear Missile is on the road to recovery. Hope things continue to improve quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ScottH Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I got your message late last night and just now got to check GT and saw this topic. I'm glad Missile is home and recovering. Five teeth sound like a lot less than others! I hope he heals fast and is feeling so much better. We all know how mouth pain is just such a drag on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Hoping Missile has been able to enjoy scrambled eggs and other yummy soft foods today. Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missilesmom Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Thanks everyone for your support. Missile hardly seemed to sleep on the first night. I had a small light on so I could keep an eye out for him. By day two he was much better, and now, day three, he is pretty much back to normal. Off of pain meds and he seems to be just fine. Soft foods for two weeks is the only other thing we are doing. Happy new year!!! Quote BABY, HE WAS BORN TO RUN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I'm glad to read that Missile is doing well! Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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