Long Time, No See

[Guest ellieb]

I haven't been on GT in SOOOOO long. After my Indigo died in 2011 (osteo), I was too shell-shocked to be involved in anything grey. Then, I had some human health problems. Then, I lost one of the Fab Feline Boys after a 3 month battle with liver disease. It hasn't been a fun ride.

The household is still 4 humans but down to Maximilian (my 12 year old grey) and 2 Fab Feline Boys (ages 13 and 11).

Max had a puffy snout last December. Vet seemed to think tooth abcess. We did antibiotics and it went away. This past Sunday, his snoot looked like an American Bull Terrier on one side. He yiped when I tried to probe around in there. Of course, he is prone to the grey drama gene. Went to see Doc on Monday. Seems to think tooth, again. He is on antibiotics and we are doubling his Wobenzyme for 5 days. His appetite is fine.

This morning, he was rubbing at his face and yiped. When I looked there was some blood on his gums. Mind you...his teeth are AWFUL!! My docs and I are not crazy about the idea of putting an almost 13-year-old grey under for a dental.

The bleeding has stopped and he seems fine. I am supposed to call doc tomorrow...just to let him know how Max is doing.

Any thoughts?

PS...I really missed you guys.

[Batmom]

Dental. It's scary at that age but if his teeth are that bad, he's gotta be miserable. Sending hugs and best thoughts.

[Burpdog]

It is scary but if you don't, the infection can go to his heart.

 

Hopefully you have a vet skilled in greyhound medical care

[kudzu]

Sorry for all you've been through. Poor Max. That has to be very uncomfortable for him. Glad he is eating well inspite of it.

 

Have to agree with Batmom & Burpdog. It's time for a dental. I completely understand the worries of putting a senior through a dental. Had the same concerns myself when my old man, Luke, had such terrible looking teeth & gums. Antibiotics helped but didn't solve things. So I opted for taking him to a vet dentist who got rave reviews from other Grey folks. Was a nervous wreck the day of the dental. Happy when vet called to say things went well & he only needed one extraction. That was because of a small tumor on a ligament. When I got there she said he had stomatits which is why his gums were so bad despite all my efforts at dental care. When they brought him out it was like nothing at all had happened to him. There were no signs he had been under anesthesia. Leapt into the back seat without any help.

 

Over the next couple days he got more & more energetic & playful. He clearly felt better than he had for a long time. That was wonderful but also made me feel guilty for waiting. Obviously his mouth had really been bothering him & I just hadn't noticed.

 

It's a hard decision & mine is just one experience. However, having a bad mouth is miserable so give it some thought. Hope Max is better soon.

 

ETA: Luke had that dental at age 12.

Edited August 1, 2013 by kudzu

[Remolacha]

I'll add my agreement. It is scary, but if Max's blood work is OK, I would do it. Bad teeth can be very detrimental to their health, even fatal, and they feel so much better after! I am going to be scheduling a dental for Molly (11 in May) soon, I am nervous, but she needs it.

[Blaidd49]

Yep. Dental with all due precautions. He will feel sooo much better

[MaryJane]

If you are doing a dental with teeth possibly being removed, check into getting Amicar - this helps to keep blood clots formed so that you have less bleeding issues (which are getting more common in greyhounds). You would start it the day of the teeth extraction. Note, vets don't usually carry it and you have to get it at a human pharmacy and they usually don't have it in stock - could take 3 to 5 day to get it.

 

Hope everything goes well.