Our Basenji boy, Dandy, is 15 and a half and cannot have his teeth cleaned by the Vet any more. Our Vet is recommending pulse therapy which is a program on which you give Clindomyscin 75 mg. twice a day for the first 7 days of each month. We just came off a two week round of antibiotics for a urinary tract infection and it helped his breath while on the antiobiotic. We are going to start this program the 1st of February. Has anyone else heard of this or better yet done or is doing it. I will report our results. I sure hope it works as the capsules cost over a dollar each. I am glad it is only one week out of the month as it is expensive medicine. At his age we will do everything we can to keep him comfortable because that is what our life is about. He is such a good boy and getting old is not for sissies!
Why can't they clean his teeth? I would like to suggest you consult a specialist at a university hospital, such as UPenn. While antibiotics can help prevent the infections, it won't stop plaque and tartar from forming. There are also, of course, side effects to all antibiotics. You said over a dollar a day– but even 2 per pill x 2 a day for 7 says is under $30. In a year, that's less than many here pay for cleaning once a year. You can get it online from places like http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9637 for 99 cents a capsule and probably cheaper in bulk elsewhere though so you can cut the cost a lot by ordering them.
DAILY brushing (plaque hardens in less than 36 hours making it impossible to just brush off) may help keep most the problems away. It doesn't take a lot… I count to 20 on each section, can be done in less than 3 mins every night. (I have a dog with an autoimmune disorder, gets abscesses/gum inflammation from plaque so I have had to do it for years).
I have to congratulate you on your senior dog. Sounds like both your family and he are lucky to have the other.
Thank you for all your thoughts. At Dandy's age and somewhat frail condition our Vet thinks the risk of cleaning would outweigh the benefit. I trust his judgement and frankly am not sure our boy will be with us much longer. As long as we can keep him comfortable we are good and don't need to add any stressful procedures. Thank you again, senior dogs are certainly an adventure and challenge.
How is his bloodwork? I have had several elderly dogs have surgery even Fanconi affected ones and make it though great but their bloodwork results were all within normal range though.
Jennifer
I hadn't heard of pulse therapy. Sometimes, there are limited options for a frail senior dog, and you just have to weigh all your choices and go with the one you think is best for your situation. So much of elder care is hope and love and trying to do the right thing. It's hard… but the old dogs are so special and loving. Every day is a gift, and I hope Dandy has many more good ones. Sending good thoughts to both of you.
Please let us know how this goes. i have a 16 year old with a bad tooth. unfortunately, he also has kidney failure (nonFanconi) so the vets have agreed that maybe the best thing is not to extract it.
I will let you know how this goes. Dandy has no serious problems with his mouth or teeth. Nothing loose or needing extractions. He eats very well and with all that considered a dental cleaning with anesthesia is not necessary at this time. The therapy will hopefully keep his mouth in tact for the remainder of his days. That is our objective and this is a desision we feel comfortable with.
Thank you all for your interest and well wishes.
Candy, I seriously would add in tooth brushing though, to help keep it that way.
