The Zs had their dental today. Both came through with flying colors, although they are still a bit out of it this evening. They were given a pain injection just to take the edge off as both needed their gums scraped, so I imagine they're still a bit stoned. It's almost funny to see them like this.
One of the things the vet ran by me was a Dental Vaccine. On paper, it looks like a great idea. The vaccine is supposed to reduce the amount of bacteria in a dog's mouth, thus reducing the amount of tartar that builds up on teeth and consequently lessening the frequency of dental cleanings and the incidence of gum disease. I still remember what the vet told me when I first brought Rudy in as a puppy in 1992 "If you want your dog to live a long, healthy, life, the number one thing you can do is to take care of their teeth". So, on the one hand, this seems like a godsend.
On the flip side, I've never been one to jump on the "this is brand new" bandwagon. I passed on the flea vaccinations, preferring to stay with the existing flea treaments, and it turned out I was right to do that as the vaccination had complications. I passed on a new fangled heartworm treatment, preferring to stay with Interceptor (or Heartguard), and that turned out to be the right move as that one also had complications. Now, I'm presented with a dental vaccine. It sounds great, but I'm wondering if I just stay more vigilant with the teeth cleaning, would there even be a need? Max made it to past 17 1/2 years old on my "regular" dental care...and would the other shoe drop just as the other "new" items did?
Just curious if anyone else has heard of the dental vaccine and/or has opinions on it.
I'm pretty sure papbouv had the vaccine for Patches. She was really concerned right afterwards because of some of the stiffness that Patches exhibited, which was possibly a side effect. Hopefully, she'll see you post and give you her opinion on it.
Have you read anything about OraVet? It is a material that the vet puts on the teeth right after cleaning them that prevents plaque and bacteria from attaching to the teeth. Starting two weeks later, you have a gel that you put on at home once a week. This is done or can be done instead of brushing. It sounds pretty interesting, and I think I would try it instead of the vaccine. As soon as I can get Schatzi's dental done, I think I will use it with her. You can the info online by searching on Google for OraVet.
Gizmo was my 1st little dog she was a Papillon from her I learned little dogs can have bad teeth so she had fairly decent teeth until age 14 & 1/2 years old I brushed them and the vet cleaned them . I had Patches teeth cleaned when she was 2 years old my vet of 30 years talked me into giving Patches the dental vaccine I would not do it again to her. She came home acting all stiff and in allot of pain Gizmo never acted that way so I figured it had to be the dental vaccine.Patches sleeps with me in the big bed and she could not get comfortable was also crying I had a 1/2 of her pain pills left from her spay I gave it to her about 10:00pm when it kicked in she finely got some sleep. She was to go back in 3 weeks and get the 2nd half of the dental vaccine when the vet called to check on Patches the next day I told them what happened. I did not take her back for the other half of the vaccine I also brush her teeth almost everyday. At the price of vet care the dental I had done on Patches was over $200.00 so I will brush her teeth and try not to have any more dental cleanings done in the future or the dental vaccine.A shot should not make a dog cry hours later I even wondered if they dropped her or something.
Papbouv
Yeah...I think I would take a pass on that vaccine! With all we have been through with Penny's immune system, I would take any chances. Even if we hadn't had the issues with her I still wouldn't do it. When Penny had her last dental we did the OraVet. After her dental you are supposed to put it on ever week I think...or every month. Unfortunately we didn't keep up with it. We do brush her teeth though.
Guinness at 13 & 1/2 has lost about a dozen teeth. Trying to brush them is like trying to wrestle an ocelot or baby panther. I used to be able to papoose him in a towel and scrape plaque off his teeth, but now he fights until he's worked himself loose.
So I'm pretty much resigned to him becoming toothless. He is so small that his teeth start building plaque immediately after his vet dental. An at his age, I am VERY leery of him going under anesthesia.
Karen :dontknow:
As long as they are in good health, and you have a good vet, anesthesia isn't a huge risk, especially if they only "twilight" them. If I recall correctly, my Max had a dental at 16 years of age. They had to take out a whole bunch of teeth, leaving him with only two of his very front teeth on the top and on the bottom. He looked like a rabbit. By the time he was well past 17, the vet agreed that it would be too risky to try to put him under again, so at that point, we let it go.
The Zs are not bad when it comes to teeth brushing. Nail clipping is far worse. For us, the nail clipping is a two-person operation. Maybe D'niel can help you with Guinness' teeth?
Twilighting him - is that like "gaslighting" him?? LOL! :chairfall:
Or is it where the pupper drowsily bites down, grinds and gnaws s-l-o-w-l-y on the vet's fingers?
Karen :2funny: