One other note about chest 'dropping' (and why did dog people start using that term - it sort of conjurs up visions of dog parts falling off in the yard) One the the biggest problems in basenjis fronts right now is those that are too narrow and have a concave area between the front legs. I'm NOT advocating a front like a bull terrier but there needs to be some 'fill' there to have a good front but it's not the fill it is the actual structure of the bones in the shoulder and upper arm that - if not correct- actally pull the 'front' too far forward. A quick visual scan from the side - if the deepest part of the brisket is well behind the legs - the front is too far forward. We need to pay attention to the actual shoulder structure to make sure we are not continuing to double up on dogs with a short upper arm. That limits front reach, and creates a not efficient side gait. So go catch your dogs and do a quick check - measure from the top of the wither to the point of shoulder (the most prominant bone in the chest.) then from that point to the point of the elbow. They should be the same. if they are not - stand up your dog and put your hand between the front legs - if you hand is IN FRONT OF THE FRONT LEGS - great - if your hand is between the front legs the front on your dog is too far foward.
More than you ever wanted to know probably - LOL
What's considered baseline?
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Again, I swear by plaque off….
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I plan to be much more dentally conscious with him now that I realize he is prone to such issues. But in order for me to gain momentum I need to start fresh with his teeth- the cleaning/polishing will give me the clean slate and from then forward it's EVERYDAY brushing. Plus they can take a look at one to tooth closer (he chipped one of his larger top canines as a pup, that's the one I most want looked at, perhaps the cleaning will give me more insight as to the damage he did to it.
Those darn puppy days- thank goodness they're behind me! Plaque off is on my list for the new dental routine!
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I love it…. "plaque off".. I co-own a male that had perfectly horrible teeth... putting him on plaque off and brushing (and I just use water, once a week use a spray on the toothbrush) has really made a big difference. (have to also admit that he does not live with me, but his owner has now seen the benefit of brushing) While he still needs cleanings, it is so much improved, along with his breath... and my girls since puppyhood have been on plaque off, brushing about 3 times a week... once with the spray, rest with just water and their teeth are as white as when they came in at 6 months. I will admit that there are some pedigrees with worst teeth then others and need more attention. Been there, done that... and learned my lesson by NOT paying enough attention to their teeth.
And honestly, many a dog has chipped teeth with no real lasting effect over the years...
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I used that Virbac (I think) rinse from the vet with Spencer, and it seemed to really help. I didn't have to brush as often. I'm using Plaque Off with Ava– much cheaper and she doesn't even notice it in her food. Her behavior might not be pretty, but she has beautiful white teeth-- and I'm hoping to keep them that way.
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I used that Virbac (I think) rinse from the vet with Spencer, and it seemed to really help. I didn't have to brush as often. I'm using Plaque Off with Ava– much cheaper and she doesn't even notice it in her food. Her behavior might not be pretty, but she has beautiful white teeth-- and I'm hoping to keep them that way.
LOL, don't think it helps behavior, but I love it for teeth. And while I am one that says brushing is very, very important… I usually do not follow what I say... Yes, that would be BAD Mommy....... so this has been a blessing for me...
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I tried the plaque off but am going to have to try it again. I didn't notice much of a difference while they were on it and when they weren't. Tucker goes down to see the specialist for his teeth at the end of the month (he has enamel hypoplasia) and this time I'm sure that they are going to have to do a cleaning. I have tried to do the whole brushing of teeth and it doesnt go over well, but after his teeth are all pearly white I will try again.
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I've noticed Oakleys teeth were going to be a problem as early as puppyhood, like you said Pat: some lines are worse than others for this. He just seems to naturally have "plaquey" teeth. I'd much rather pay a couple hundred dollars now at 28 months and start a good routine from that than keep on with a subpar job on my part (fully admitted)…on his back molars he's starting to get that dark line just below the gumline- that's kinda when I said to myself..enough.. I'm sure the procedure will go flawlessly and it's a small price to pay for something that can have a big impact on health later on in life.
Lesson learned
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Pamela: too funny about Ava!
I'm glad that plaque off is working well for little miss spunky pants. The new plan is to brush with the virbac CET toothpaste and to routinely (not daily) use the plaque off. It'll take some work to combat that mouth of his! -
Plaque off is feed daily, you just put it on their food once a day.
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I tried the plaque off but am going to have to try it again. I didn't notice much of a difference while they were on it and when they weren't. Tucker goes down to see the specialist for his teeth at the end of the month (he has enamel hypoplasia) and this time I'm sure that they are going to have to do a cleaning. I have tried to do the whole brushing of teeth and it doesnt go over well, but after his teeth are all pearly white I will try again.
Like said, some lines have teeth problems, at least that I have found. But for those ones with issues with their teeth, it may not seem like it is doing much, however it does help. The boy I was talking about before that has teeth issues, it took about 6 to 8 months on the plaque off to see a difference. He too will be getting a dental today (and neuter)…. so it is not a cure all, but I think it helps.
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I thought it came in spray form??
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Chealsie, the kind I have you just sprinkle on their food. It's green, and I thought Ava wouldn't touch it, but I mix it into her kibble and she doesn't seem to notice. I keep it in the treat cabinet, so maybe she thinks it's supposed to be yummy!
Her big girl teeth are brand new and sparkly, so time will tell if that's enough. If I had to brush her teeth often, I'd lose a finger. She's the mouthiest dog I've ever seen!I used the Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse with Spencer and will probably finish out that bottle with Ava. You just squirt it into their mouth every day, and it helps stop plaque from forming. It made a difference with Spencer, and it was so much easier than brushing every night, which is difficult to do! Maybe the rinse would be easier with Oakley?
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It is a powder you sprinkle on the food, it is not a spray or in spray form.
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Like said, some lines have teeth problems, at least that I have found. But for those ones with issues with their teeth, it may not seem like it is doing much, however it does help. The boy I was talking about before that has teeth issues, it took about 6 to 8 months on the plaque off to see a difference. He too will be getting a dental today (and neuter)…. so it is not a cure all, but I think it helps.
Are you saying that Enamel Hypoplasia is hereditary?? I have found nothing to back this up, but if it is true I also don't want to breed something that could possibly be hereditary. The vet's I have talked to said it was probably from a fever when he was a puppy, or possibly a reaction to a vaccine. I just need clarification.
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I read it and also am of the belief that some lines just have naturally harder to take care of teeth than other, not necessarily that the condition you mention is hereditary. I'm not sure if Oakleys parents had naturally plaquey teeth but of the three dogs I've owned, Oakley is the first to have teeth that are hard to take care of/ keep up with…he started early accumulating plaque even when as a pup I brushed his teeth daily...since I started brushing less frequently thy have just gotten bad (on his back molars and chipped tooth)...
He's a high maintenance boy..lol...luckily the cleaning includes polishing and bloodwork for around 244 pre tax..so it's worth it before it gets out of hand..then it's brushing and plaque off...sprinkling it is way easier than a spray..whoop
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Now that I think of it I think I also read this wrong. I am aware that this line does have a higher occurance of teeth issues. I got in a bit of a tizzy over the enamel hypoplasia thing because I would not have put all the time and effort into getting his championship if there was a possibility that it was hereditary. Looks to be genetic in poodles maybe but I could find nothing about B's and like I said I don't want to breed into something like that. I saw all of my hard work and effort go down the drain along with all of the money if I knew I wouldn't be able to breed him.
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I commend you on being willing to not breed if this turned out to be the case; some who aren't as responsible would choose to do so anyway…I don't blame you either way for being upset over all your hard work possibly being jeopardized...breeding doesn't sound easy in any aspect!
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Ps- I just left the vets, Oakley got his annual exam, a four month supply of advantix, pre op bloodwork and his yearly fecal test…286$ later...lol!
He looks good,and healthy...I was quoted 233$ for the teeth cleaning including anesthesia...so it'll be an expensive month...I guess I'll just have to dream about new sneakers!
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Are you saying that Enamel Hypoplasia is hereditary?? I have found nothing to back this up, but if it is true I also don't want to breed something that could possibly be hereditary. The vet's I have talked to said it was probably from a fever when he was a puppy, or possibly a reaction to a vaccine. I just need clarification.
I don't think I said that Enamel Hypoplasia was hereditary, I said that there are bloodlines that have teeth issues, I didn't mean for that to be taken that this particular affliction was Hereditary… And I had one such line (and no I did not breed that line or that dog).
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I don't think I said that Enamel Hypoplasia was hereditary, I said that there are bloodlines that have teeth issues, I didn't mean for that to be taken that this particular affliction was Hereditary… And I had one such line (and no I did not breed that line or that dog).
Sorry Tanza, I totally read that wrong, my appologies.
Chelsea, good to hear Oakley is doing well. Be lucky that your vet bills for teeth cleaning are so cheap down there! Seems vet care here is so expensive.
