Infected Teeth In Older Dog

[Bogangles]

I'm so sorry to hear about Lucy. It is so difficult losing them at any age, I think. Our boy also passed away in April and it will take a long time to come to terms with it.

Michigan also is not far away.

[tbhounds]

Although Dr Couto is no longer at Ohio State the entire staff knows ghs. They have a beautiful new dental suite and a cardiologist on staff. You could make an appointment with the cardio dr and if your hound is cleared for anesthisia then, she could proceed to the dental unit. The nice thing about going to a University is all the specialist are there under one roof. Dr Couto is seeing appointmens a few day a month at Metzgers (State College, PA) --however, I'm not sure if they staff a cardiologist-you would have to call. http://metzgeranimal.com

If you decide to visit OSU I can fill you in on local hotels etc... Keep me posted :-)

[Robin1017]

The dentist at Angel in Boston is fabulous. But i don't know where you are located, or if that is ridiculously far.

[Bogangles]

Although Dr Couto is no longer at Ohio State the entire staff knows ghs. They have a beautiful new dental suite and a cardiologist on staff. You could make an appointment with the cardio dr and if your hound is cleared for anesthisia then, she could proceed to the dental unit. The nice thing about going to a University is all the specialist are there under one roof. Dr Couto is seeing appointmens a few day a month at Metzgers (State College, PA) --however, I'm not sure if they staff a cardiologist-you would have to call. http://metzgeranimal.com

If you decide to visit OSU I can fill you in on local hotels etc... Keep me posted :-)

Yes I would be interested in your offer of more information on how to find my way around. Thank you.

 

 

The dentist at Angel in Boston is fabulous. But i don't know where you are located, or if that is ridiculously far.

Hi Robin 1017. It is about 9 to 10 hours from here. I have heard good things about Angel. Have to figure out how I'm going to put it together to look after my dog.

[RedHead]

Did you get in contact with the Univ. of Guelph? Personally, I would try something a little closer to home to lesson the travelling time for your pup and the costs. They really are a great animal hospital, and when anyone needs specialized care they are always sent there.

[Bogangles]

Did you get in contact with the Univ. of Guelph? Personally, I would try something a little closer to home to lesson the travelling time for your pup and the costs. They really are a great animal hospital, and when anyone needs specialized care they are always sent there.

Yes, I have called them (thanks for the link which made it easier to find them). Dr. Garland is the one I would have to see but she is away until September. They have ultrasound there which would be needed for her heart but no cardiologist. Also they may recommend that the ultrasound be done elsewhere. Did you take your grey there for dental?

[RedHead]

 

Did you take your grey there for dental?

I haven't but several people from my adoption group have gone. They should be familiar with greys, they used to even have some housed there (I did my undergrad there and remember seeing them). It is a university, so they tend to have more specialized equipment and people who are highly trained in specific things. Too bad the vet will be away until Sept., just thought it might be worth a check-up there to get an opinion before you have to venture out on a huge journey. Ohio is great too of course, they specialize in greyhounds, but whether that would have any impact on how the actual surgery would differ, I don't know.

[Bogangles]

I haven't but several people from my adoption group have gone. They should be familiar with greys, they used to even have some housed there (I did my undergrad there and remember seeing them). It is a university, so they tend to have more specialized equipment and people who are highly trained in specific things. Too bad the vet will be away until Sept., just thought it might be worth a check-up there to get an opinion before you have to venture out on a huge journey. Ohio is great too of course, they specialize in greyhounds, but whether that would have any impact on how the actual surgery would differ, I don't know.

It's hard to believe but Labour Day is the weekend after this one and we'll be into September! I have also put a call in to OSU so waiting to hear back and don't think we could get down there as quickly as next week. Thanks for your input.

[tbhounds]

Please send me an e-mail if you decide to make an OSU run tracy 734 @ aol com obviously w/o the spaces ;-)

[Guest OPointyDog]

We've had wonderful care at Veterinary Specialists in Rochester, NY. Not sure where in Ontario you are, but Rochester might be closer than some places you are considering. They have a cardiologist who comes in a few days a week. Not sure if they have a dentist, but it might be worth contacting them to ask for information and perhaps a recommendation for someone in the region since they share specialists in their network of clinics.

 

We saw their previous cardiologist with our cat, and they have an orthopedic surgeon who is fabulous and several internists who have been great with our dogs.

 

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Edited August 22, 2014 by OPointyDog

[greytpups]

I also second a visit at OVC. It's a teaching hospital so they have many specialists including a cardiologist. I got this from their website. Our 12 y/o had 2 canines removed recently without any trouble at all, albeit he doesn't have any pre-existing conditions. I have also heard many vets say the notion of anesthesia in older dogs is a myth. I assume it's much safer now and we did not hesitate (well may be a lot:) ) to relieve Ben of his dental pain we presumed he was in.

 

 

Interestingly, if you look at their website, they have a number of specialists in each area, not just one, plus residents and interns. I'd suggest contacting them or get a referral from your vet.

 

eta: I googled "garland, dvm" but did not get a result. Are you sure you contacted OVC?

 

Dentistry Procedures

The OVC Smith Lane Animal Hospital offers more complex dentistry procedures for pets that may require a little extra dental care

 

 

Cardiology Service

The Cardiology service provides referral consultations in cardiovascular medicine. Our priority is our patients and our clients, including the pet owners and referring veterinarians. Companion animals with symptoms of heart disease, or with potential heart abnormalities detected by their primary care veterinarian, may be referred to our service for cardiac diagnostics and therapy. In addition, we provide cardiac screening services to breeders. The service functions within the HSC, a teaching hospital, incorporating undergraduate and graduate teaching in its clinical activities. We also offer a number of clinical research programs, including clinical trials and screening programs for specific heart diseases.

We provide comprehensive cardiovascular diagnostic services including echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound), electrocardiography (ECG), thoracic radiography, Holter recording (24-hour ECG monitoring) with in-house analysis, cardiac catheterization, and angiography. We also offer a send-out Holter recording and analysis service to veterinarians whose patients are unable to visit the OVC HSC. In addition, we provide cardiovascular case advice to veterinarians. Available therapies include medical therapy for congenital and acquired cardiac diseases, and minimally-invasive interventional therapies including pacemaker placement and catheter-based correction of congenital disorders (e.g. intravascular occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus, balloon valvuloplasty for pulmonic stenosis). We are one of very few centers in Canada providing minimally-invasive interventional techniques.

Specialized Equipment

GE Dimension echocardiographic system, transesophageal echocardiography, GE ECG system, multiple Holter units for recording 24-hour ECG, in-house Holter analysis system, fluoroscopy, ADI digital intracardiac pressure and ECG data acquisition system, heart sound recording and analysis software.

What to Expect

The majority of patients seen by the cardiology service are seen on an outpatient basis. Depending on what diagnostics are necessary, appointments and work-ups can take as little as 1-2 hours or up to the majority of the day. Echocardiograms and other cardiac diagnostics are provided on the same day as the cardiology appointments. Some patients with more serious cardiac disease, or those undergoing procedures, require hospitalization in the intensive care unit where they continue to be cared for by our service. We provide ongoing care of our patients through scheduled rechecks, and emergency services are also available. Undergraduate and graduate students (residents) are a part of the cardiology team, being involved in the appointments, diagnostic processes, and patient care under the supervision of the faculty cardiologist. Prompt and ongoing communication with the primary care veterinarians who have referred patients to our service is a priority so that ongoing patient care is optimal.

Lynne O’Sullivan, DVM, DVSc, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology)

Edited August 22, 2014 by greytpups

[MP_the4pack]

Where ever you go, I do want to wish you the best of luck. It still will be a high risk surgery.

[Bogangles]

I also second a visit at OVC. It's a teaching hospital so they have many specialists including a cardiologist. I got this from their website. Our 12 y/o had 2 canines removed recently without any trouble at all, albeit he doesn't have any pre-existing conditions. I have also heard many vets say the notion of anesthesia in older dogs is a myth. I assume it's much safer now and we did not hesitate (well may be a lot:) ) to relieve Ben of his dental pain we presumed he was in.

 

 

Interestingly, if you look at their website, they have a number of specialists in each area, not just one, plus residents and interns. I'd suggest contacting them or get a referral from your vet.

 

eta: I googled "garland, dvm" but did not get a result. Are you sure you contacted OVC?

 

Dentistry Procedures

The OVC Smith Lane Animal Hospital offers more complex dentistry procedures for pets that may require a little extra dental care

I double checked and it's actually "Dr. Gowland" -- my mistake! Thanks very much for the article.

[greytpups]

Have you decided what to do yet? There must be someone else other than Dr. Gowland who can see her.

Edited August 22, 2014 by greytpups

[Bogangles]

Have you decided what to do yet? There must be someone else other than Dr. Gowland who can see her.

I have made an appointment for Sept 2 with Dr. Gowland. The person I spoke to felt strongly that under the circumstances she wanted us to see this vet. It seems like an eternity which it has been already. She is eating, not as much as I would like, but maintaining her weight -- she was weighed yesterday. We do have pain medicine for her.

 

Thank you for taking time to respond and for your help in making the decision as to where to go at this point in time and hopefully they will be able to take care of her "under one roof" for her heart and teeth. Any other advice would always be welcome. Also thank you everyone for replying to my post.

[Batmom]

Just sending some good thoughts for your girl. Glad she is maintaining weight .

[Bogangles]

Thank you.

[Bogangles]

Update on my girl's situation. We had an appointment with Guelph OVC and had to wait 10 days then they called to postpone for another four days. We could not wait that long so went to a vet in Toronto.

The ultrasound did take place on Friday. It was done by a cardiologist and I insisted on being present.

They say she has a 4-5 level murmur but as far as "heart disease" it is not terribly serious. I think like the at the very beginning stages. Her heart is not enlarged and they did take this knowing she is a greyhound. Her lungs sound clear but because she coughed they want to take X-rays of her lungs before going any further with dental surgery. So the X-rays should be done this week.

She has been on Clavamox and Meloxicam for almost a week and this seems to have helped a lot. Her jaw had swelled under one of the infected teeth and the swelling has pretty much gone now so hopefully she is a lot less pain.

I'm not sure who I can trust with the dental surgery if they find the X-rays are O.K. and, alternatively, if they are not they have not advised what to do.

This seems to be taking for ever and I am terribly worried let alone the fact that my dog is in pain even though the meds have helped considerably.

[robinw]

God luck, ok? GT's Maximum has had experience with a dental specialist in Guelph. Maybe she can give you contact info. Regardless, I wish you and your girlie luck and rapid healing.

[Bogangles]

God luck, ok? GT's Maximum has had experience with a dental specialist in Guelph. Maybe she can give you contact info. Regardless, I wish you and your girlie luck and rapid healing.

Thank you for your good wishes.

It might be Fraser Hale -- he is a dental specialist in Guelph. Not with OVC at this time anyway. He has been recommended a few times. He would want the results of these tests anyway before doing anything. He does not have an anesthetist but qualified RVTs. Will see how the X-rays go.

I see you have had your fair share of drama over the last few days -- so please to know that Xavi has survived his adventure. What a scare!

 

Edited September 2, 2014 by Bogangles

[Bogangles]

It might be Fraser Hale -- he is a dental specialist in Guelph. Not with OVC at this time anyway. He has been recommended a few times. He would want the results of these tests anyway. He does not have ananesthetist but qualified RVTs. Will see how the X-rays go.

I see you have had your fair share of drama over the last few days -- so please to know that Xavi has survived his adventure. What a scare!