pgr8dnlvr

Well, I would and have definitely done dentals on my senior high risk dogs.

I my cases I had dentals done on an 8 year and a 10 year old, both great danes, so that is very old for their breeds. The second one lived to be 13 and only died due to degenerative myleopathy.

We do dentals on senior dogs very frequently, and as long as they are done properly with lots of supervision and having had all the proper pre-anesthetic work done, your risks are VERY minimal. However having extreme gingivitis creating open pathways for bacteria to enter the blood stream in a senior dog who often have weaker liver and kidneys to me. Is a MUCH bigger risk to shortening your dogs life than the anesthetics.

We have often had clients who were questioning how "old" their dogs were, and if there was any point in doing the dental since their dogs seemed "on the way out" anyway, come in exclaiming their dogs were suddenly way more active again and eating so much better.

If you are worried, maybe get a second oppion from another vet, but don't tell them your concerns. If they too immediately point out teeth, I'd for sure consider it... Just my 2 cents for what they're worth

I'm sure you'll make the right decision, EITHER way you go

Rebecca

ArreauStandardPoodle

We just had Holly's teeth done and she will be nine of Christmas eve, but nine is a long way from fourteen.

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mom24doggies

Thanks y'all. I've thought about using a gel or spray, but I'm just really bad about doing that kind of thing regularly. Her teeth aren't really too awful, considering her age. Her breath certainly isn't worse than my puppy's teething breath lol! I may take your advice pgr8dnlvr and get another vet's opinion.

Giving her raw bones is a good idea....any opportunity for her to eat will be gladly taken!

She definitely isn't on the way out, so maybe it IS worth it. Physically she is fine...only some arthritis and more easily tired. And she's almost deaf. Mentally....well lets just say that part of her is deteriorating. She's happy as a lark, but she doesn't remember how to do things and tends towards obsessive behaviors. Barking, constantly searching for food, stuff like that. I've had her checked by a vet complete with bloodwork and everything, nothing is wrong with her. I guess it's just part of being old. :-/ After all she is about to be 15!

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"Love is the emotion that a woman feels always for a poodle dog and sometimes for a man." ~George Jean Nathan