any advice on elderly chihuhua and dental issues?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

I have a 14 year old Chihuahua, named Katie. She is in mostly good health, is heartworm negative.
She does have a heart murmer though. I bought Katie for my daughter when Katie was a pup and could
fit in the palm of your hand.

I never had her teeth cleaned in the years we have had her, partly because I
didn't know how important it is, and partly because I couldn't afford even my own dental care.
(No insurance since 2003). I've given her denta bones etc, but she would never chew on them, instead she has always hidden these treasures under the couch cushions etc.

My daughter commented that Katie's breeth smelled horrible.

Turns out that several of her teeth are discolored, her gums are irritated, some teeth may have to be removed.

The vet gave me antibiotics to give Katie before her teeth cleaning planned for
first week of January (because of finances).
The vet expects to remove some teeth, and she told me that Chihuahuas are notorious for dental problems.

Does anyone have any experience with this or comments?

How will it impact Katie if she has several teeth removed?
Is she better off to keep the teeth even if they are decayed?
Or will that decay cause other harm and or make her few good teeth bad?

Thanks for any help, please know I am doing the best I can for her.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

1. She is better off having them removed.

If they remain, they can become infected, rot her jaw away and contribute to heart problems. She will be able to eat food at first, but will be able to handle kibble before long. My failed foster Louie had 14 teeth removed and has no trouble eating at all.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

5. I meant to write "she will be able to eat soft food at first" n/t

[undeterred]

2. I know someone who took in a stray Chihuahua who was 8 yrs old

and on the first vet visit it was recommended to have all its teeth removed. Sounds drastic, but the dog did fine.

[livetohike]

3. Katie will do okay with teeth removed

I had a Lab/Shepherd mix (Ranger) who was 12 and had to have 13 teeth removed. The teeth looked fine, but his gums were infected. I brushed his teeth too, so all of that was surprising to me. His littermate never had any dental problems at all. Ranger did fine - no problems eating and he lived to be 16. I continued to brush his remaining teeth and everything was okay after that.

[roody]

4. It is terribly expensive, but my experience has been that

the dog feels so much better after it is done.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

6. thanks to all of you for your replies

I was feeling really worried about Katie, but now I am feeling
better about this.

It just seems so drastic to pull dogs teeth.


Thanks again, you make me feel more comfident in the vet's advice.
She's a great vet, but I needed some reassurance.

[roody]

7. I believe that I contributed to an earlier death of my beloved

Sheltie-Corgy mix, Sherise, because I did not get her timely dental care. She was truly the best dog ever, the most faithful and watchful. She died 3.5 years ago at age 11.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

8. UPDATE

A bit late.

I took Katie to the vet on January 2, left her there for the day.
The vet gave her anesthesia, an anti biotic injection, and took care of her teeth.

My daughter picked Katie up that afternoon.

The vet had to remove about 5 molars, (Katie had already lost a few several months ago).
Katie seemed either in pain or upset (she doesn't like being left at the vet) that evening,
but she seemed much better the next day.

We had her on oral antibiotics after the procedure.

Now Katie's breath is clean, total opposite of what is was before the vet treatment.
She is eating just fine, as well as before, and is quite happy.

I am glad I took her to the vet, had some teeth pulled and had the others cleaned.

It cost about $250.00

This is really important to their health.

[Longhorn]

9. Thanks for sharing this experience with us!

I have five dogs and a couple of them have dental issues. Your post has inspired me to get them taken care of. :hi:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

10. The other DU'ers experience helped me decide

The vet had said that there was a risk of jaw degeneration, further infection,
and even heart damage if I didn't get this taken care of.

Katie's gums really did look inflamed, and her breath was outrageous.

There's no telling how she felt, since she is a happy go lucky dog.

Animals just can't tell us what they are feeling sometimes.