Tetracycline Teeth

[Guest FireHorse]

Our new boy, Trey, has the grayest teeth I've ever seen. They're clean--cleaned a couple weeks ago--but they're gray. The vet says that either he had tetracycline as a puppy, or his mom had distemper when he was in utero. Of the two, tetracycline seems more likely, although obviously, we'll never know.

 

My question is, does this impact the quality of his teeth any? Is there anything I should be watching out for-soft and easily broken, acquires crud easily and need cleaned a lot, anything like that? Or is this just a discoloration/stain?

Edited November 6, 2010 by FireHorse

[PrairieProf]

Wow, dogs get that too? Huh. I myself have childhood-tetracycline teeth and hate it. But it's just staining, doesn't cause any problems. My teeth do tend to get a lot of plaque buildup but I don't think that's related in any way.

[GeorgeofNE]

Just cosmetic!

[CaliforniaGreys]

Yes, it is just cosmetic. Same situation with Wayne, but he has strong healthy teeth and gums

[phall]

My Faye is the same way. Her teeth are grey - even after a cleaning. Her brother's teeth are the same way. Other than the color, her teeth are fine and no special care is needed.

 

Pat

[greysmom]

My Cash has the same thing. She's a blue brindle, so her teeth match her color. Not appealing, but they are otherwise in great shape. She hasn't needed a dental in seveal years.

[Chicocat]

Our new boy, Trey, has the grayest teeth I've ever seen. They're clean--cleaned a couple weeks ago--but they're gray. The vet says that either he had tetracycline as a puppy, or his mom had distemper when he was in utero. Of the two, tetracycline seems more likely, although obviously, we'll never know.

 

My question is, does this impact the quality of his teeth any? Is there anything I should be watching out for-soft and easily broken, acquires crud easily and need cleaned a lot, anything like that? Or is this just a discoloration/stain?

 

My girl Survey has tetracycline teeth. Her mother was on antibiotics when she was in utero. She gets very little tarter and although her teeth stay that telltale grey they appear to be very strong and don't require cleaning very often.

[Robin1017]

Robin is the same. He has yucky-colored teeth (almost brownish-green), but they're actually pretty healthy and stay clean pretty easily. He hasn't needed a dental in a long time...

[GreyTzu]

I have three with gray teeth. In our case, I'm not sure about the tetracycline as puppy and I know distemper was not an issue with the Moms. I am firmly convinced that our discolored teeth came from crappy well water as puppies.

 

Our guys teeth seem fairly healthy otherwise. I have definitely had a Grey with crappier teeth.

[Hubcitypam]

I have three with gray teeth. In our case, I'm not sure about the tetracycline as puppy and I know distemper was not an issue with the Moms. I am firmly convinced that our discolored teeth came from crappy well water as puppies.

Elvis are way past grey -- they are almost sort of swamp water green all over. I've really never seen such dark teeth. He had a dental in January.

 

Never thought about it but certainly am in agreement with the crappy well water theory. In the smaller communities in West Texas where rural residents use crappy well water from the aquifier as opposed to "city water" you can most certainly see the difference in humans teeth. In junior high kids were teased because of their "brown water teeth" or something to that effect. The mottled or discolored teeth branded one as a rural hayseed to the bullies.

 

If you want to water your dog at the National Greyhound Association kennels you're going to use a hand pump outside to bring up the water so it may be common on the farms too.

Edited November 7, 2010 by Hubcitypam

[Guest FireHorse]

Thanks, guys. I knew you would know!