Tooth Extraction

[Daxilly]

My 7 yo ACD has just broken off one of her pre-molars at the root. No idea how she did it, just saw blood on her ball and investigated why.

Vet said it will need a GA to get the root out. She also said that we can leave it but there is the possibility of problems later on.

The tooth is broken below the gum line, so no problems eating etc. She doesn't appear to be in pain.

Not sure which way to go. Would prefer to avoid surgery, but don't want more complications later on.

Advice needed.

Thanks

[Jumabaar]

My 7 yo ACD has just broken off one of her pre-molars at the root. No idea how she did it, just saw blood on her ball and investigated why.

Vet said it will need a GA to get the root out. She also said that we can leave it but there is the possibility of problems later on.

The tooth is broken below the gum line, so no problems eating etc. She doesn't appear to be in pain.

Not sure which way to go. Would prefer to avoid surgery, but don't want more complications later on.

Advice needed.

Thanks

PLEASE dont leave it. Can you imagine the pain you would be in with a nerve exposed!!!

Dogs do amazing things to hide pain from us so even when you say she doesn't APPEAR to be in pain she is!!

I saw Christine from http://www.sydneypetdentistry.com.au/ who is AMAZING just to get fractured baby teeth removed on my pup (that my regular vet said could be left). My pup was still eating and playing, but I could see after that she had been in pain and just soldiering on.

Christine is more than happy for people to ring her to discuss what their dog needs- so give her a ring if your not confident. A GA is worth having your dog not spend the next few weeks with a constant headache.

In reality this is NOT something you can leave.

Edited July 12, 2011 by ~Woofen~

[persephone]

She will be MUCH more comfy after the surgery ..plus , if there are any lumps or bumps you want biopsied/removed .. or a teeth scale etc - it would be a good opportunity to do it

[StarLapyz]

My 7 yo ACD has just broken off one of her pre-molars at the root. No idea how she did it, just saw blood on her ball and investigated why.

Vet said it will need a GA to get the root out. She also said that we can leave it but there is the possibility of problems later on.

The tooth is broken below the gum line, so no problems eating etc. She doesn't appear to be in pain.

Not sure which way to go. Would prefer to avoid surgery, but don't want more complications later on.

Advice needed.

Thanks

PLEASE dont leave it. Can you imagine the pain you would be in with a nerve exposed!!!

Dogs do amazing things to hide pain from us so even when you say she doesn't APPEAR to be in pain she is!!

I saw Christine from http://www.sydneypetdentistry.com.au/ who is AMAZING just to get fractured baby teeth removed on my pup (that my regular vet said could be left). My pup was still eating and playing, but I could see after that she had been in pain and just soldiering on.

Christine is more than happy for people to ring her to discuss what their dog needs- so give her a ring if your not confident. A GA is worth having your dog not spend the next few weeks with a constant headache.

In reality this is NOT something you can leave.

I second this. Christine is amazing and incredibly nice and helpful. Giver her a call to discuss.

If the pulp of the tooth is exposed then infection can get in there and end up cause MAJOR issues.

Much better to get it out so your pup isn't in pain and you don't have any future complications!

[Tilly]

Definately much better to deal with the problem now with surgery rather then down the track if infection sets in. Once infection gets in ... it is just too close to the brain.

[Daxilly]

Thanks everyone.

Deep down I knew I would have to get it taken out. She doesn't need any other procedures as her teeth are perfect apart from the broken tooth. If she did that would probably have made the decision easier.

She hates the vet and she needs to be carried in as she digs her heels in as soon as she realises where she is: usually in the carpark.

I hate her having a GA as I always think the worst. All surgery is risky, but this needs to be done.

Thanks again.

[Swizzlestick]

If your vet doesn't routinely do it, I'd ask for her to be placed on IV fluids too.

[Fordogs]

If she hates the vets that much why don't you ask if the vet would give her her pre med in the car ---- Less stress that way.

[atua]

I had a dog with a broken tooth (the big canine teeth on the bottom side) I rescued him out of the pound and it was already broken when I got him. I ended up getting it taken out and luckily I did because it had formed an abcess. He was a 5 year old Staffy. I am glad I opted for the surgery as I would have never known about the abcess. Best of luck with your dog.

[Jumabaar]

If she hates the vets that much why don't you ask if the vet would give her her pre med in the car ---- Less stress that way.

This is a great idea! My pup had her premed done in the quiet consult room as she had fallen asleep in my arms. They were able to use less of all the drugs because she was clam to begin with- which makes the anaesthetic a little safer

Fluids is also a good suggestion with older dogs.

[Starkehre]

About a year or so ago, I noticed my older Rott bitch has a broken molar.

I took her to see a dental specialist. He advised me it had to come out. Now, my girl came down with one of the most sever cases of IMT that all the specialist vets that saw her had ever seen.

We were one of the very lucky ones in that Dyzney survived and is now happily plodding along into mid/old age.

I ws terrified to allow her to have GA and surgery. We are aware that at any time the IMT can return and that drugs, trauma, vaccinations, stress etc can cause this. You can imagine how much I did not want her to have this tooth removed. But the vet explained how stoic she must be as this tooth was giving her hell. There was not much for me to see there and apparently it could have been this way for 6 months or so.

Whilst under anaesthetic the vet took xrays and discoverd she had another 3 teeth all hairline fractured under the gum line and that the broken one had formed a pocket of puss under the gum line also. I was horrified and really upset, but they all had to be removed.

The dental specialist was aware of my concerns. He followed up all her previous notes and ensured she was only given drugs that she had already been given that we knew were OK, and took extra care to ensure there was as little bleeding as possible.

All went fine, but it was a very scary time for me. And even for up to 3 months afterwards I was very vigilant checking her gums and sending her off for bloods, as IMT can show up that long after the cause.

Anyway, I guess the point to my story is it is very important to go ahead with the tooth removal, regardless of risk.

I am sure it will all be fine.