Teeth Cleaning

Mite · 07-31-2011, 01:06 PM

It's a proceedure that is often overlooked but necessary. I found that my dog chipped a tooth and will need the tooth extracted. The cost is around $500+. I have been looking at the condition of her front & side teeth but neglected the molars. Setters have a lot of skin around that area so trying to view them was always a hassle. Now, its costing me.

Teeth should be cleaned yearly. The cost is around $200 but its alot cheaper than neglecting it.

sproulman · 08-01-2011, 02:31 PM

if you brush dogs teeth daily,cleaning is only necessary about every 4 years.
but who does that?i had tobys done last year and already his molars are full of plague.
using dry food helps but not cure.

Mite · 08-04-2011, 06:28 PM

Update: I got a call this morning from my vet confirming the appointment I had set for Friday. I had stayed up last night (night owl) trying to figure out how keep my finances sane. After the call, I finally decided to call around to see if they are indeed the cheapest. I didn't have much hope as their price is inline with what are listed on the internet. Then I found one vet who was close - called and asked for a ballpark estimate.

$147 to extract a tooth. Yeah, what about all the other stuff, blood panel, x-rays, anesthesia, etc.

"We don't do x-rays but the other stuff is included."

But what if her gums are infected?

"Then she will need a cleaning, that will be another $120."

Set me up an appointment. They tell me Monday will be the soonest.

I called the first vet ( Don't get me wrong; I respect them, they do an excellent job and are still my dog's vet and their prices are very competitive but $500 -$600?) Cancelled the appointment.

As I was about to go to sleep, the thought suddenly hit me; what if this vet pulls a fast one and overcharges me? The best way to prevent that is to get a hard copy estimate. Clothes back on, grabbed dog, and drove to their office. Spoke to nice lady behind the counter and told her if I could get a copy or better yet, if the vet would be willing to see my dog and write up an estimate. If the price was still in that range, I would even prepay it now.

They put me into a little room and the vet comes in and does a quick examination. Dog's tooth is basically gone but gums are not infected. Good. The rest of her teeth is actually in good shape, not much cleaning. Great!

"Is there any other health concerns you have a question about?"

Oh, her three year rabies is up.

"Ok, I'll write up a quick estimate." Comes back with paper: $176 (tax included + $14 rabies booster). They take her to the back while I paying in the front office. "We'll give you a call when she's ready"

What?! You are doing the proceedure today?

"Yes"

I picked her up and she was out of it from the after effects of the anesthesia. Drooping bloodshot eyes, barely made it out of the car.

Me, I've been awake almost 24 hours but damn do I feel good.

marquismarc · 08-05-2011, 04:42 AM

that first price is down right robbery! I had a dog that had stage 4 periodontal disease that had to have 13 teeth pulled and it was less than $500. Note: my dog had diabetes and a heart murmur so her vet refused to put her under to do any dental work and that is why her teeth got so bad. We got a new vet who was a heart specialist and that vet had the confidence to put her under for dental work. Glad your dog and your wallet are in good shape.

Doc E · 08-05-2011, 05:23 AM

Last Friday, my secretary took her 5 y/o Britany in for teeth cleaning.
Two minutes into the procedure, the dog died ! ! ! (anesthesia)

Our dogs get one (sometimes two) pig ears a day. My nearly 12 y/o dog has amazingly clean teeth (as does the 3 y/o).

I'd much rather give my dog a pig ear every day than risk anesthesia every year.

.

sproulman · 08-05-2011, 07:00 AM

here in my area of pa teeth cleaning is around 170 dollars.

in maryland at my sisters, its 500 dollars.
toby teeth need it every 2 years.if i would brush them daily, i bet he would not need it done so often.
as for pig ears,most are made in china and full of poison but i guess you can possibly find ears that have no chemicals in them, dont know.

Doc E · 08-06-2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sproulman

as for pig ears,most are made in china and full of poison but i guess you can possibly find ears that have no chemicals in them, dont know.

The ones from COSTCO are made in America and have no nasty chemicals in them.

.

Tazomazo1 · 09-02-2011, 01:36 PM

Yeah i tried the costco ones and they were fine. that place is amazing!!

simonatkins · 09-20-2011, 08:01 PM

Its much important for dogs also. Just like human, they need hygiene.

cayugad · 09-25-2011, 09:30 AM

I had a fifteen year old lab that never got a tooth brushed or a cleaning. I knew knew you had to. We had dogs on the farm that lived outside forever without teeth cleaning. In fact when I first saw a TV commercial for cleaning a dogs teeth, I had a good laugh. Until I talked to the vet that is. And she told me some dogs are worse then others, and it depends on what they are fed. His teeth were fine according to the vet. But he ate dry dog food, and would chew on a old hard cow knuckle (we called them) all the time, and would get the occasional pig ears, and stuff that helped him clean his teeth naturally. His teeth were a little discolored I admit, but seemed good and healthy. Maybe I was just lucky.