Opinions Please (cav With Mvd Undergoing Teeth Cleaning/removal)

[Akay]

Hi everyone

I have a cavalier with a high-grade heart murmer. He has had it for a while but he is comfortable and he is breathing well when he is sleeping and sitting. He does cough, and can't exert himself because he coughs even more and pants quite heavily. He has had a high level heart murmer for a long time. Because he has had it for so long we have always thought that he wouldn't have long to live, but at this rate, he looks like he probably has another 18 months left in him.

He also have bad teeth that need a clean and some need to be removed. I spoke to the vet about it and she basically said that there's definitely a risk of putting him under for the procedure, but she would still be willing to do it.

What are people's opinions? I know that bad teeth are very bad for a dog's health and under normal circumstances I would have had them cleaned already BUT I'm worried about him not coming out alive. What would you do?

edit: forgot to say that he's 12 years old

Edited October 6, 2009 by Akay

[Rappie]

If you understand and accept the risks involved with the anaesthesia, then treating severe peridontal disease is as important as treating any other disease. That said, this would be a situation that I (as a vet) would try to approach with as much information as possible before making plans and decisions.

I would like to have done general blood work (aged patient with at least 2 medical problems) and taken chest radiographs prior to considering an anaesthetic. If the dog need treatment for their congestive heart failure (coughing at rest, reduced exercise intolerance etc) then I would start treatment and stabilise the cardiac situation before contemplating a general anaesthetic. Then I'd consider starting antibiotics a few days before the dental treatment and continue after as well.

[Akay]

If you understand and accept the risks involved with the anaesthesia, then treating severe peridontal disease is as important as treating any other disease. That said, this would be a situation that I (as a vet) would try to approach with as much information as possible before making plans and decisions.

I would like to have done general blood work (aged patient with at least 2 medical problems) and taken chest radiographs prior to considering an anaesthetic. If the dog need treatment for their congestive heart failure (coughing at rest, reduced exercise intolerance etc) then I would start treatment and stabilise the cardiac situation before contemplating a general anaesthetic. Then I'd consider starting antibiotics a few days before the dental treatment and continue after as well.

Thanks Rappie, invaluable advice