The vet didn't say and I haven't looked.. been a tough month.
She had horrible breathe at 4, took her in.. cleaned, better briefly. We have had her teeth cleaned every 6 mos for 3 yrs, then in Feb, then in July then in late Nov. She has lost 6 teeth so far. I brush, spray, wipe, feed rmb (raw meaty bones), give dental chews. It really has me floored.
One of the sprays is an antibacterial, but it can cause..strangely.. plaque build up when then increases gum irritation. So we quit that one and moved to a different. But it seems one step forward, 1 1/2 at least back.
Btw, check around on cost. No exaggeration, to get the back tooth pulled I got estimates in a 20 mile radius ranging from $200 to $800!
Thanks for the prompt response and your advice Debra. I'll post again when I know more. Good luck with your girl.
Shona
I don't know the name of the particular disease, but there is an autoimmune disease which causes dental issues and bad breath, ulcerated gums, etc. The dog essentially starts to react to the plaque on their teeth, so you have to keep the dog's teeth very clean. Perhaps someone knows what the name of the disease is. I was just talking to someone yesterday who has a dog who has it. I'll email her to see what the name is. Hopefully, that is not the case with your dog.
What was the name of the auto immune disease? How old is your B? Did your B have really bad breath?
My B has terrible breath and he is only 13 months. His gum line looks irritated. The smell went away for two weeks when he was on antibiotics for Giardia but slowly came back seemingly even worse now. We plan to schedule a cleaning and x- rays. I'm afraid of what the vet will discover and I'm afraid of the cost!
Thanks.
Do you brush his teeth? The brush stimulates the gums. Bad breath is an indicator of infected gums. There's Petzlife Oral Care gel.
Hi All,
The auto immune disease is called "CUPS" Chronic Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis.
I brush my B's teeth, but not everyday. Daily brushing will be adopted after we remove the plaque build-up and decrease the inflammation. I hope his condition isn't CUPS!
Thanks again for your help.
Ty.. looked it up:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/23104.htm
Characteristics of chronic ulcerative stomatitis (also called chronic ulcerative paradental syndrome or CUPS) include severe gingival inflammation, multiple sites of gingival recession and dehiscence, and large areas of ulcerated labial mucosa adjacent to the surfaces of large teeth. The problem commonly affects Greyhounds, but it has also been seen in Maltese, Miniature Schnauzers, Labrador Retrievers, and other breeds. The characteristic feature is the contact ulcer that develops where the lip mucosa contacts the tooth surface, most commonly on the inner surface of the upper lip adjacent to the upper canine teeth. These lesions have also been termed “kissing ulcers” because they are found where the lips “kiss” the teeth. The underlying pathology is an immunopathy that results in an excessive local inflammatory response to the antigens in dental plaque.
Stringent plaque control through professional cleaning and excellent home oral hygiene may resolve the problem. Supplemental antibacterial measures, eg, topical chlorhexidine rinses or gels, also help. In severe cases, topical anti-inflammatory preparations to modulate the inflammatory response may provide comfort. Discomfort caused by the ulcers complicates efforts to brush the teeth and give oral medications. In the worst cases, in which discomfort is severe and the owners are unable or unwilling to brush the teeth, extraction of the adjacent teeth may be necessary to remove the contact surfaces on which plaque accumulates. Although this may aid in control of the lesions, it is not curative, as plaque grows on all mucosal surfaces in the mouth. In many cases with complete extractions, animals continue to develop lesions due to hyperimmune response to the plaque.
Well I am utterly disheartened. After cleaning/tooth extraction and almost 3 wks of antibiotics (prior to clear up then after preventative) in late November/early Dec, I waited 2 wks for her mouth to heal and started brushing routinely.
Last night she yelped, I got the flashlight and sure enough, cheek inflamed again. It is definitely looking like CUPS. 
Sometimes I am slow… it finally hit me.
Sayblee... autoimmune disorders. Arwen, her double niece (half/bro sis), autoimmune.
So we are putting her on antibiotics, tomorrow start steroids 10 mg, then 5 mg daily for a week, then 5 every other day then every 3 days.
Hi Again,
Hobbes received his first exam and cleaning today. He is 15 months old. The Dr. has diagnosed Hobbes as having CUPS : ( I'm so sad–he is so young! Hopefully we can control the amount of plaque build up and irritation. We go back to the vet in two weeks for a dental plan/ consultation. Wish us luck!
Hi Again,
Hobbes received his first exam and cleaning today. He is 15 months old. The Dr. has diagnosed Hobbes as having CUPS : ( I'm so sad–he is so young! Hopefully we can control the amount of plaque build up and irritation. We go back to the vet in two weeks for a dental plan/ consultation. Wish us luck!
Have you notified the breeder? This condition is consider to maybe have a genetic component. Or in the majority of cases it is believed that the dog's immune system is overracting to bacteria in plaque.
Either way, it is something that a breeder should know about their dogs and consider "not" breeding.
We have Arwen on a protocol, her problems began when she was 4. It has been hell but with the antibiotics to clear her gums, steroids to knock back her immune system, she is now almost 5 mos from last cleaning/extractions, and the teeth are looking good. I hate to have to probably keep her on low dose steroids, and I sure hate cleaning her teeth every night. But at least NOW I clean her teeth and she doesn't keep losing them and needing the vet to clean every 3 mos!
Pat,
Yes, I do plan to notify the breeder! He really did not have tarter build-up b/c we gave chews and brushed 1-2 times per week. He is just very sensitive to ANY bacteria! Hopefully we will be able to manage it otherwise, extractions may be in our future : (
BTW: The dentist mentioned that he has seen multiple cases of CUPS in Basenjis in Berkeley. He plans to ask his colleagues (on professional forums) about CUPS in Basenjis. I'll post any additional info.
Pat,
Yes, I do plan to notify the breeder! He really did not have tarter build-up b/c we gave chews and brushed 1-2 times per week. He is just very sensitive to ANY bacteria! Hopefully we will be able to manage it otherwise, extractions may be in our future : (
BTW: The dentist mentioned that he has seen multiple cases of CUPS in Basenjis in Berkeley. He plans to ask his colleagues (on professional forums) about CUPS in Basenjis. I'll post any additional info.
Wow, really… honestly in 21yrs in the breed, I have never heard of it other then maybe less then a handful of times. And I don't think there are that many Basenjis in Berkeley???
Would love to hear if you get information back.....
Pat I had never heard of it in ANY breeds, but now that I am aware this last 2 mos, have heard of a dozen cases talking to others and vet techs. Seems 3 of us here have it.
Pat I had never heard of it in ANY breeds, but now that I am aware this last 2 mos, have heard of a dozen cases talking to others and vet techs.
If there are Basenjis, I would love to know the breeding. And if there really are more then just a few now and again, it should be something that the Basenji Health Committee should maybe consider tracking. However need people that have Basenjis with this condition to step up and let people know.
I know of one, possibly two basenjis in Wisconsin which have it.
Pat I you know my dogs, but glad to send you the info. Since Sayblee had autoimmune issues from the time she was about 4 or 5, then died with lymphoma… now Arwen with this, no doubt autoimmune issue with this double aunt (halfbro/sis sire and dam for Awen) is genetic. Sadly I doubt the breeder cares. I'd say more, but not on public forum.
Pat,
My email is carter_shona@hotmail.com. Email me and I will send breeding info.
