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Teeth cleaning

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I'm paying about half that amount for Nemo's but I also live in Wisconsin.

  • My first beastie had to have teeth cleaned and two pulled and anesthesia and it cost me just under $300 – but that is really a function of where you are.
    Costs for a lot of things are much lower here in the Midwest (but that doesn't mean you should all move back here - you have much milder weather - I'm writing this with -16 deg F outside).

  • Holy smokes…that seems like a lot for a tooth cleaning. I have paid half that much for two cleanings with extractions. But as Wizard pointed out, things are often less expensive in the Midwest.

  • Thanks for all the feedback! There's a new vet down the street, and I could actually WALK Deedle there. It looks like a nice place, and I liked what I read about the vet. Maybe I will look into alternatives, but I'm not sure. Deedle has had teeth issues for a long time (we got her when she was 4. Before that she was chained up for weekends in a backyard with just a big bowl of food! So, she tried to chew through the chain and fractured some teeth. Poor thing), so I want to make sure she gets very thorough and good care. Her breath could scare away an army, though, I tell you!

    Really happy I discovered this forum.

  • @mariko:

    Really happy I discovered this forum.

    We are too!
    :)

  • We have had two of our B girls that have needed advanced oral care. First was cage biter and chewer and the second was a rescue whose mouth had been neglected for many years. We used a dental specialist both times and it was at least as expensive as you are describing. ( twice as expensive for removals and restorations in one instance ) We discussed going to someone less expensive but it all boiled down to who we trusted and which staff seemed most professional and caring. Either way you are doing a good thing and your pooch will appreciate it.

  • @wizard:

    weather - I'm writing this with -16 deg F outside).

    OMG, I feel your pain. it's -12 deg F and still dropping here. :eek: I'm almost afraid to let Nemo go outside.

  • This morning it was -20 F (-29C)! Luny did not want to go outside - I had to go out with him to be sure he peed - he didn't go far from the door either.

  • I pay $600 and get the IV, special anesthesia, etc., like you. I've had it done quite a bit cheaper without the extras. One thing to keep in mind though–is that letting the teeth go can really affect the organs. It's best to keep their teeth in tip top shape (especially when they're older).

  • Once you get her teeth cleaned it will be important to maintain good dental health. I can't say enough good things about this product. I use the gel to brush the teeth several times a week and use the spray on the other days. The results are UNBELIEVABLE. I will never use another dental product again.

    http://www.petzlife.com/

    My dog (only have a rat terrier now) doesn't mind the taste of any of the products but I don't like the 'fishy' smell of the salmon flavor so I only use the regular. If you can, try to brush the teeth, but if not, use your finger or a cloth to apply the gel to the teeth. This stuff WORKS!

    Deb

  • @nodakerdeb:

    Once you get her teeth cleaned it will be important to maintain good dental health. I can't say enough good things about this product. I use the gel to brush the teeth several times a week and use the spray on the other days. The results are UNBELIEVABLE. I will never use another dental product again.

    http://www.petzlife.com/

    My dog (only have a rat terrier now) doesn't mind the taste of any of the products but I don't like the 'fishy' smell of the salmon flavor so I only use the regular. If you can, try to brush the teeth, but if not, use your finger or a cloth to apply the gel to the teeth. This stuff WORKS!

    Deb

    Very interesting. I've had pretty good results with just brushing every other day (I try to do it every day), but I may look into this later on.

  • Welcome to the group. My boy has foul mouth also. I have an appt booked with the vet. I haven't asked price.

    G

  • Thanks Deb, I am going to give it a try….

  • I brush Congo's teeth and I can't use my finger to brush his teeth unless I want my fingers pinched. He is pretty good about it and I use a peanut butter flavor toothpaste and also a chicken broth flavor. I don't have to buy Denta bones and his teeth stay in pretty good shape if I brush them 2-3 times a week. It took a good month though before he would let me do it without a huge protest.

  • @tanza:

    Thanks Deb, I am going to give it a try….

    Pat, I've tried just about every product on the market and nothing has even come close to working like this stuff. We have a natural pet food/supply store in Fargo and they no longer carry any dental products other than PetzLife. They said once the word got around about this product that was all they sold while the other products sat on the shelf.

    [edit] I should also say that I use the 'Triple-headed' toothbrush also. The best invention ever!

  • I use a "human" battery powered toothbrush… no one minded it at all....

  • @nodakerdeb:

    Pat, I've tried just about every product on the market and nothing has even come close to working like this stuff. We have a natural pet food/supply store in Fargo and they no longer carry any dental products other than PetzLife. They said once the word got around about this product that was all they sold while the other products sat on the shelf. I have to thank Linda Seikert of Sinbaje Basenjis for alerting me to this fine product.

    [edit] I should also say that I use the 'Triple-headed' toothbrush also. The best invention ever!

    There was a local pet store nearby that carried PetzLife products. The employee there mentioned that he hears nothing but good things about this stuff and that they were completely out of the spray. $25-30 may seem like a lot for such a small amount of product but it's cheap insurance to keep your dogs teeth healthy.

  • I have been using Petzlife too and it really does work. My dogs like it better than tooth brushing.

  • @Kananga:

    There was a local pet store nearby that carried PetzLife products. The employee there mentioned that he hears nothing but good things about this stuff and that they were completely out of the spray. $25-30 may seem like a lot for such a small amount of product but it's cheap insurance to keep your dogs teeth healthy.

    $25 - $30 seems like pennies to me when you compare it to the cost of a full dental under anesthesia. :) I can't ever anticipate having to another dental on our Rat Terrier again, nor any dog we would get in the future. There is simply no tarter build up with this product when used daily, or even a couple of times a week.

    Jack likes the taste too. At first he wasn't nuts about it, but it didn't take long for him to acquire it. He does not like the 'spray' in his mouth though. He's always been skiddish about a spray sound. If I had a pup I'd start in with the spray from the get go so they got used to the sound.

  • I just went to order my Petzlife product (thanks for the heads up Deb!) since there wasn't a retailer close to me. Oddly, it's cheaper through Amazon than from the company's website. :confused: Still, a bit pricey, but WAAAY cheaper (in terms of money and worry) than a full dental at the vet's.

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    PLEASE DO NOT!!! The AMVA and the dental veterinary society says RUN from ANY VET advertising no anesthesia cleaning. PLEASE, find a vet who knows what they are doing! The teeth may LOOK cleaner, but the MEDICAL issue is below the gums! http://www.avdc.org/dentalscaling.html However, performing NPDS on an unanesthetized pet is inappropriate for the following reasons: 1. Dental tartar is firmly adhered to the surface of the teeth. Scaling to remove tartar is accomplished using ultrasonic and sonic power scalers, plus hand instruments that must have a sharp working edge to be used effectively. Even slight head movement by the patient could result in injury to the oral tissues of the patient, and the operator may be bitten when the patient reacts. 2. Professional dental scaling includes scaling the surfaces of the teeth both above and below the gingival margin (gum line), followed by dental polishing. The most critical part of a dental scaling procedure is scaling the tooth surfaces that are within the gingival pocket (the subgingival space between the gum and the root), where periodontal disease is active. Because the patient cooperates, dental scaling of human teeth performed by a professional trained in the procedures can be completed successfully without anesthesia. However, access to the subgingival area of every tooth is impossible in an unanesthetized canine or feline patient. Removal of dental tartar on the visible surfaces of the teeth has little effect on a pet's health, and provides a false sense of accomplishment. The effect is purely cosmetic. 3. Inhalation anesthesia using a cuffed endotracheal tube provides three important advantages… the cooperation of the patient with a procedure it does not understand, elimination of pain resulting from examination and treatment of affected dental tissues during the procedure, and protection of the airway and lungs from accidental aspiration. 4. A complete oral examination, which is an important part of a professional dental scaling procedure, is not possible in an unanesthetized patient. The surfaces of the teeth facing the tongue cannot be examined, and areas of disease and discomfort are likely to be missed. Safe use of an anesthetic or sedative in a dog or cat requires evaluation of the general health and size of the patient to determine the appropriate drug and dose, and continual monitoring of the patient. ) Periodontal problems affect more than 80 percent of dogs over the age of four, according to Hometown Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic veterinarian Jan Bellows. University of Penn http://www.vet.upenn.edu/RyanVHUPforSmallAnimalPatients/SpecialtyCareServices/DentistryOralSurgery/ClientInformation/tabid/814/Default.aspx#AnesthesiaFrequencyDentalCleanings Need for Anesthesia and Frequency of Professional Dental Cleanings Need for Anesthesia In order to perform a thorough periodontal examination, dental radiography, scaling and polishing, gingival curettage and root planing, the pet must be under general anesthesia. Anesthetic gas and oxygen are delivered through an endotracheal tube, thus ensuring pain-free procedures and also protecting the airways from aspirating fluids or debris. Owners of pets naturally are concerned when anesthesia is required for their pet. However, anesthesia-free dentistry performed by untrained individuals is inappropriate for several reasons, including: Significant safety concerns for the patient and operator. Insufficient cleaning of inaccessible tooth surfaces. No debridement of periodontal pockets. Oral discomfort and serious pain. Accidental aspiration of debris that can result in pneumonia and death. Furthermore, it is illegal for anybody but licensed veterinarians or supervised and trained veterinary technicians to practice veterinary medicine. Although anesthesia will never be 100% risk-free, modern anesthetic and patient evaluation techniques used in veterinary hospitals minimize the risks, and millions of dentistry and oral surgery procedures are safely performed each year. The American Veterinary Dental College adopted a position statement on companion animal dental scaling without anesthesia. Anesthesia is essential for veterinary dental procedures, to ensure that the procedure can be completed successfully. Fear of general anesthesia is a natural concern voiced by many owners when a dental procedure is recommended. However, the risk of chronic oral infection, for example, is far greater than the risk of an anesthetic complication. \ btw… have dog with CUPS, an autoimmune issue. I have to have her teeth cleaned every 3 mos. I wish I didn't know so much about it. :(