Health Issues with Teeth (9 yr old spoo) - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

ArcadiaX · 11-04-2012, 08:37 AM

While clipping my spoo's face today I noticed 2 issues: 1. He has a reddish swelling on his gums that extends half way down over an upper molar.

It appears to be inflamed gum tissue. 2. There is a small reddish lump under his eye on the same side. I am taking him to the vet asap (it's Sunday, the vet is closed), but is it possible that they are related? Any thoughts? Also, I should mention that a good daily tooth brushing is about to commence. Right after the swollen gum recedes, of course. I am a very bad spoo mommy to let this happen

Carley's Mom · 11-04-2012, 08:51 AM

yes, they can be related. A vet visit is what is needed. He most likely has gum disease. He may need some teeth pulled. Once you get him well again and take better care of his teeth, he should be fine.

MollyMuiMa · 11-04-2012, 12:04 PM

Yup! Sounds like an infection....It happened to my cairn & she had to have a molar removed.....Glad to hear you're going to the Vet ASAP! Teeth can cause many problems for dogs so taking care of them becomes important.

Indiana · 11-04-2012, 12:09 PM

Because of the eye involvement, it sounds like an infection to me too. The vet will probably prescribe some antibiotics but maybe the tooth will be fine after, if there is no abscess. Sometimes you can tell an abscess if there are bubbles around the inflamed tissue.

ArcadiaX · 11-04-2012, 12:56 PM

Here is a picture (by cruddy phone). I don't see any bubbles, so I have my fingers crossed. I'd hate to have his molar removed, he probably needs it to eat... :( It just looks so painful, although it hasn't stopped him from eating anything yet.

Poodlemama99 · 11-04-2012, 01:31 PM

No he could still eat just fine without it. My Lila ate for 8 years with nary a tooth in her mouth. Well technically she had fangs but they weren't very useful for eating. Good luck though, poodles big and small seem to have bad teeth.

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ArcadiaX · 11-05-2012, 11:24 AM

We went to the vet. He determined it was an Epulis (fancy way of saying mouth tumor) and a tumor under the eye. He prescribed a Dental Cleaning ($277.00), with the removal of said Epulis and the under eye tumor ($155.00) while under anesthesia. Lou will require a full blood works panel done ($98.00), and they want to send the tumors out for a Histopathology (a "what is it" type test for $149.50). Plus, they would throw in a nail clipping for free, YIPPEE... For a mere total estimate of $784.00. Sigh... The vet said that the Epulis isn't related to gum disease, and is related to the eye lump. Possibly. He also strongly recommended CET Oral Hygiene Rinse, also included in the estimate for $26.50. I am thinking about forgoing the Histopathology ($150.00) and the CET OHR (a better price is available on Amazon anyway, around $17.00). I think that brings it down to $610.00. Oh, the vet also said that feeding Lou about 1/4 of a chicken liver a day would take care of any tear staining. It's the iron, I guess. DH wants a second opinion, but I am pretty sure it won't get any less expensive. And Lou NEEDS this done. So, I will just suck it up and do some overtime I guess... I love the big galut. He is such a very good spoo boy, and he deserves the best I can afford to give him.

Indiana · 11-05-2012, 12:44 PM

Thanks for the update! I was thinking about you guys.

MollyMuiMa · 11-05-2012, 12:52 PM

Sorry for the Dx but so glad you're on top of it! Take care of your Baby & keep us updated! :~)

petitpie · 11-05-2012, 12:55 PM

Let us know how Lou gets along.