Using gas for teeth cleaning
Submitted by goatheaven on June 7, 2013 - 8:08amWell my 80 year old vet sold his practice last week and we have a new fresh out of vet school replacement. We are testing her out. She was talking to me about cleaning my 9 year old bulldog's teeth and she said with older dogs she liked to use gas over the nose as if there is a problem she can pull them out quicker. I do not know anything about this. What are your opinions on this? Thanks for your help.
Find another vet.. bullies shouldn't be under unless it's..
absolutely necessary.
Dave
I agree...Not worth the risk.
Get a new vet.
Get another vet
Any vet that would suggest this for a bulldog does now know the breed.
What kind of gas does the vet use?
nm
Lynn King CPDT-KA
Not sure
The vet did not specify. I told her unless Annie had trouble with a tooth we would not be cleaning her teeth. She is just too old to risk it. I think I am going to have to find another vet. This will be hard as we live at least an hour away from any more vets. We have one more vet in the area that I do not trust at all. He wanted me to put my first bulldog down at the age of 3 months for severe issues and I said no. Brutus lived to be 6 1/2 years even though he had issues.
I would not dismiss this vet
simply because of what they suggested. In order for a vet to do a thorough oral/mouth exam, the dog has to be sedated somehow. Unfortunately, problems in the mouth are not as obvious as we would hope they would be. Dogs can have cracked teeth/rotten teeth/gum disease and not show any outward signs.
In my opinion, oral health is very important, same as it is in humans. I have had cleanings done on my dogs. The vet has found growths, decay, broken teeth, gingivitis, extraction because of an abcess, all without my noticing any problems.
Having the procedure done is nothing to be taken lightly but neither is the possibility that your dog might be experiencing discomfort or pain.
Lynn King CPDT-KA
Yes agree .... will add
the tarter is not the biggest problem, as Lynn mentioned it is the hidden stuff that causes problems to the teeth and gums.
There are some tell tale signs of needed dental procedure. Black or darkened teeth, growths and bad breath are just 2 that are easily diagnose. They have to do xrays to look for cracked or broken teeth.
If you dog appears to have no discomfort, growths, bad breath or broken teeth, then I too would be very hesitant to have a dental procedure done on a 9 yr old dog.
BUT if there are signs that there are problems then it needs to be considered. Infection in the gums can easily lead to infection throughout the whole body.
So yes just like humans good oral dental care is important or overall health.
With that said I know nothing about gas for dog dental procedures.
I would want to know that this vet has extensive experience with brachychalic breeds using the gas.
My guess is the vet was talking about isoflurane
which has been used for all of my dogs for their dentals, all did well.
Overall health, pre-op bloodwork and personal choice are all part of the decision.
Lynn King CPDT-KA
Isoflurane is what my vet uses to .. not sure why I was thinking
something totally different. He uses propofol as an induction.