Having Tooth Taken Out

[Pom]

Griffen has broken one of his canine teeth at the gum line. The tooth was already dead and would have had to come out eventually but it looks like it's sooner rather than later.

It's not causing him any pain, the gums not red or swollen but I would like to get it out befoer it causes any problems.

Unfortunatly this couldn't have come at a worse time, money is really tight.

So I was hoping to get an idea of what this would cost so I can budget (and maybe hit up MIL for a loan)

Griffens a 55kg dogue de bordeaux if that helps.

I've also managed to convince OH that since Griffen has to go under anyway it would be a good to get him de-sexed. Would it increase the cost greatly getting both done at the same time?

Edited March 11, 2010 by Pom

[poodlefan]

Ring your vet and ask for a phone quote. Prices vary a fair bit.

My 'wet finger in the air' guess would be $200-300

[Pom]

Thanks for that, I didn't realise vets would do a quote. I'll give them a call today.

[poodlefan]

Thanks for that, I didn't realise vets would do a quote. I'll give them a call today.

Oops missed the desexed bit.. add another $150.

Anaesthesia and vet time are what will cost you. For a larger dog, you'll pay more. Good idea to get both done at the same time - one less anaesethetic, one less risk.

Edited March 11, 2010 by poodlefan

[Teebs]

My 16kg Staffy had a tooth out, and it cost about $300 for her

[Greytmate]

I wouldn't get a canine out unless it was causing again. If I did, I would possibly go to a dental specialist vet, and that would mean no desexing at the same time. The canine tooth has a very long root and goes into a thin part of a dog's jaw compared to other teeth.

[Starkehre]

OP's dog's canine is broken, right down to the gum line. This means if it is not removed fairly soon, there could be an issue with all sorts of nasty mouth related diseases that then go into the kidneys and liver. It must be removed.

If you monitor the gums Pom, check for redness, swelling and gently give a little press of them around the affected area. If pressing causes the dog to have discomfort, then infection is most likely setting in. If it seems fine, you can wait a little longer before surgery. If it has only just happened and it is not bothering Griffen, then it may be fine for a month or 2. That may give you a bit of time to save up for the surgery.

I would also use a dental specialist for any tooth removal as because they are excellent at what they do, the surgery will be faster, therefore needing less anaesthetic. And that has always got to be a good thing.

Best of luck with Griffen, Pom. Ain't money a pain in the ****

Edited March 12, 2010 by dyzney

[Kirislin]

I recently had to get two whippets in at the same time. Tags tooth was only one of the itsy bitsy ones at the front and

Feathers was the one next to the itsy bitsy ones. It cost over $750 for them both. I reckon I could've just about tapped them out with a hammer, when I got the bill I wished I had. Nah just kidding about that bit.

[Fordogs]

A vet charged me 350.00 for a fractured baby canine. When I saw what he did I was extremely upset ( the puppy was only 4 months old,) vet did a huge flap to remove it when all that should have been necessary was to dig it out.

Never went back there.

Canines are very difficult to remove there is as much tooth under and into the jaw as above therefore an adult dog probably will require the flap that this vet did on my puppy.

My old girl damaged a lower canine a number of years ago and it has never given her any trouble the vet says while it is ok leave it alone.

[poodlefan]

A vet charged me 350.00 for a fractured baby canine. When I saw what he did I was extremely upset ( the puppy was only 4 months old,) vet did a huge flap to remove it when all that should have been necessary was to dig it out.

Never went back there.

Canines are very difficult to remove there is as much tooth under and into the jaw as above therefore an adult dog probably will require the flap that this vet did on my puppy.

My old girl damaged a lower canine a number of years ago and it has never given her any trouble the vet says while it is ok leave it alone.

"Digging it out" may well have damaged the root bed and aversely affected the eruption of several adult teeth.

As you say, canines go deep into the jaw.

[Greytmate]

More than one vet has snapped a dog's jaw trying to remove a canine tooth.

There are alternatives to removal, such as root canal work. I would only have a canine removed as a last resort. I have seen many dogs with broken canines, and they don't always lead to infection.

I have also seen preventative work done where the canines were sawn off rather than removed.

I guess you could have a consultation with a dental specialist and go from there.

[Pom]

Thanks everyone.

I've been checking the tooth every day to make sure it's not changing. There's still no redness and it doesn't bother him having it touched.

I'm going to book him in next week to see what the vet thinks.

I've had two vets tell me, when the tooth was whole, that it would have to come out eventually due to being dead, but unless it was causing him problems it could wait.

I'll up date when I have more info.

[Fordogs]

Actually poodlefan the vet did damage the permanent tooth bed and that tooth never erupted as the vet went all the way down into the bone. As a vet nurse I myself have removed many baby teeth with no problem, they are usually very easy to remove.

[Pom]

Just got back from the vet with an update.

The tooth is completely dead but not causing any pain. The vet said if we want to be certain it wont get infected we can get it removed (est of $400 - $450) but since all the other teeth are fine and he's not having any trouble with eating then it can be left as it is.