Teeth Cleaning for Dog Needed, Any Info. Is Helpful!

Based on my experience, I can tell you that the vet uses general anesthesia due to the nature of the job. Imagine yourself not having a sort of pain killer during deep teeth cleaning. Now, imagine a dog with no anesthesia. You have to leave your dog early in the morning and pick him up later in the afternoon after a pick-up call the vet will give you. It is not cheap and I do believe it depends on the weight and size of your dog. I had it done once on my two little 5 and 6 lb. dogs and it was expensive. I wanted to do it again but one of my dogs has a heart condition that puts him at risk. Likewise, I do have other priorities at this moment and will not pay for it. However, I do recommend it. Your vet should evaluate your dog's gum and teeth in order to suggest such a procedure. It is a routine job for vets to perform teeth cleaning and they are qualify to do it.

I'm sorry I can't help you more directly with your question, but I want to let you know about something I learned the hard way. Anesthesia can effect your dog's hearing. After my 10-year old dog's last surgery, he went deaf. I never knew anything about the link between Anesthesia and deafness in dogs until after the fact. I don't mean to scare you, I'm sure it doesn't happen all the time . . . I just want you to be informed. If I knew then what I know now, I would certainly have prolonged my dog's surgery.

My dog weighed about 29 pounds (Pug) it cost $500 but that was in Arizona. I don't know if the prices are the same in this area. I thought it would make her breath less rancid, but it didn't change her stinky breath at all. She did need some teeth pulled. I heard it was good for their heart to get their teeth cleaned. I'm not sure how true that is or not.

Hi Kim, All the questions you are asking pretty much have to be answered by a Vet. I take my dog to Northern Pike Vet (On Northern Pike near 48 across from the DQ) they will do teeth cleaning but I warn you it isn't cheap! The Doc's at Northern Pike are great we have been taking our dog(s) there for years they will give you a written estimate before they do anything and they are very understanding about expense too. Best wishes.

As a licensed Veterinary Technician for just under 20 years, I have to say that I understand your apprehension at the use of general anesthesia for your dog (and cats and kids and everyone) but there is NO way to do an adequate job of cleaning and absolutely NO way to do an extraction on an animal without general anesthesia. The tooth roots are very long and even though a good Veterinarian will also use a local block, it's painful and even the best dog won't allow someone to do that while awake or even sedated.
Ask around to your local Vet's about what kind of pain management and anesthesia they use and MOST importantly, how will your dog be monitored while under anesthesia.
Good luck.

my dog is 13 yrs and yes i have had it done twice and they have to put them out. I used to work for a vet and they can't do it if they are not put out. Plus i brush (she doesn't like it) her teeth daily with doggie tooth paste. LOL i live in New Castle so tht is pretty far away for a vet any vet can do it and it cost me $125.00 and she is med dog around 35 lbs.but i think it is worth it.
good luck T.

Hi Kim

I used to work as a vet tech while in college. I'll tell you what I can to answer some of your questions, obviously you are concerned because you guy is old. A veterinarian is typically who cleans a dog or cats teeth. The animal is anesthtized because it would be too dangerous for person or pet to do otherwise. Before a vet would anesthetize a 12 year old dog, I would HOPE that they insist on doing a blood panel to check liver and kidney function, as well as the basic CBC to ensure that your K9 senior is in otherwise good health. An EKG is not an unwise test to perform as well, to tell if his heart is pumping well. If extraction(s) are needed it may be the case where the risks of infection would outweigh the risk of anesthesia. A tooth/gum infection can easily spread and be fatal. All that being said, the vet should examine your dog first - checking to see if the dental cleaning is the best course of action as well as do bloodwork and EKG prior to scheduling the procedure. None of this is cheap. Ask your vet about the procedure, what kind of anesthesia he will use, about how long he think's it could take and what he thinks is more a risk, the procedure or the teeth as they are. A good vet, will be upfront. I don't live near you so I can't recommend a vet. If you don't have a vet you like and trust, start asking everyone you see walking their dogs who is their vet. Good luck with your decision, I know it is a tough one.