I need to have my dogs teeth cleaned but im terrified?

Question

Im afraid he may die while sedated. But I want his teeth to be healthy, im torn

my dog has a heart murmur

Answer 1

He'll be just fine. The vets know what they are doing....they do it all the time. Everything will be okay!!!!

Answer 2

Ask your vet whether he will consider doing the procedure under gas only. The vast majority of pets who die under anesthetics, do so from reactions to the injectable sedatives that are used in conjunction with gas, or in place of gas.

Isofluorane, sevofluorane and others are used to "mask" the dog down by putting a mask, or a diver's type helmet right over the head until they go under. Once unconscious, the helmet can be removed, and a mask put over the nose, and the procedure goes ahead.

Some vets are reluctant to do this as it is more work, if the animal becomes excited and struggles while being masked. However, the upside is that when the mask comes off, the animal regains consciousness immediately. With injectables, once it is in their system, there is nothing to be done should the animal have a reaction.

The second point you should remember about anesthetic deaths, is that they may be due in part to cardiac issues the animal has, that are undiagnosed. However, in cats we have found some breeds particularly sensitive to the injectables and only use gas for surgical procedures. Gas is also used for emergency C sections, as it is fast, and there is less to get into their system and cross the placentas.

Good luck. Your dog really does need clean teeth for their future health.

Answer 3

Heart murmur is not equal to hear failure. Many dogs have murmurs and live long, healthy lives. Your vet should check to make sure that he doesn't have signs of heart failure. A good test to check if your dog has heart failure is to take chest x-rays, something you may want to consider to know the status of your pup.

On the other hand, bacteria that lives in dirty teeth have the bad habit of moving and living into the valves of some dog's hearts, making his murmur worse and possibly evolve into heart failure. Nobody knows exactly how or why that happens, as this only happens in dogs and not other species.

If your vet feels comfortable w the procedure, and use safe, gas anesthetic, your dog should be ok. After the cleaning, ask your dr. to show you how to brush your dog's teeth w a special doggie toothpaste. You can also ask your dr. about prescription diets specially designed to control tartar. Hopefully, this will help you not having to do another prophy for a long time.

Answer 4

It can be a scarey thing but it needs to be done. The bacteria from the tarter and stuff can get in the bloodstream and cause damage to the heart and other organs.
Anesthesia is safe these days. Vets takes all possible precautions. They are on heart monitors and a tech is watching them the whole time. Also being that it isnt a surgery that is painful (like getting cut open for something) they dont have to keep the animal as deep with the anesthesia. They are kept light.
Also lots of vets (we do) offer pre-anesethetic bloodwork done to see if the pet can handle being put under. Have them do that as well.
Good luck. All will be well I promise.

Answer 5

This time of year (Dental Month) I perform 4-6 Dentals a day, and many are very old with heart murmurs. I haven't lost one yet (Knock on wood). Dogs do very well, but I do recommend using a vet you are comfortable with. Also check bloodwork, xrays, and start antibiotics prior to dental. Ask the vet how they monitor patients under anesthesia and express your concerns. They will work with you. Not doing the dental can lead to more problems, including making the murmur worse.

Answer 6

Dog teeth cleaning is something that vet hospitals do every day. But if it makes you feel better, ask for full blood tests, then they will be able to identify if the dog is at risk. Also chose a vet that you really trust! Some of the best hospitals are certified by the American Association of Animal Hospitals (AAHA). Every year they go to these hospitals and inspect everything! To be AAHA certified is a big deal and it makes me feel more comfortable taking my animal there!

Answer 7

Of course there is a risk with anethesia. People have the same fears when they have to be anesthetized. But don't put off an important procedure because of that. Just think of how better your dog's teeth and breath will be after it is done. Hopefully your vet is one who is experienced in doggy dental care; not all of them are.

Answer 8

Well let me ask u to look at this another way. Do you want to buy baby food for him the rest of his life and have him cry because he cant' chew any longer?

I have a little tiny 3# dog whose previous owner let her teeth go and she almost died from the infection caused by this. I had to have all her teeth pulled because some idiot did not take care of her. Now the only thing she can eat is baby food and bread soaked in milk. Trust me she begs for other things and can't eat it and is so unhappy because of it.

Get his teeth cleaned tomorrow please

Answer 9

Have the vet give her/him a physical and opt for having the blood work done that will tell the vet if all of the organs a processing the gases as they should. Then go with his/her recommendation.
Bad or dirty teeth and gum infection can cause just as many problems for dogs as they can for humans.

Answer 10

He isn't likely to die while sedated, but being sedated for something as needless as getting the teeth cleaned, especially if you get it done all the time is dangerous. It's better to be feeding the dog things that will keep it's teeth clean rather than having to pay the vet to clean them up for you.

I have never had to get my dog's teeth cleaned, my 8 year old female's teeth are perfectly clean and white with absolutely no plaque build up, no problems at all. Course they get applecider vinegar in their drinking water daily and that helps to keep their teeth clean.

Answer 11

express these concerns to the vet ask to meet the person that will put him under and get educated
these things do happen even in people, but on the other hand we never got our dogs teeth cleaned and before we had to put her down she had lost the majority of them and was in alot of pain
you can stop this by getting educated and a little bit of trust