Foster dog getting teeth pulled?

Question

I am in need of some help. I am getting a new foster that has really messed up teeth and will likely need them all pulled? Has anyone ever had to deal with this? She is still fairly young, but her previous owners have allowed all her teeth to rot to the point that they are causing her a lot pain, so I think she needs them all yanked.
Any advice here on how to care for her if you have had experience with this?
Thanks.

The shelter just spayed her days ago. I am upset that they didn't do it at the same time because now she had to go under anesthesia again, but I guess the shelters just do the bare minimum.

Answer 1

Shanna,

We had a foster dog who had 26 teeth pulled (she had two left)

Be sure they give you pain meds for the first few days. It broke my heart hearing this little dog whimper that first night. My husband slept with her in the kitchen.

In about a week.....

You are going to notice some dramatic changes in this dog. Her personality will begin to shine finally because for the first time in a long time, she won't be in pain. It will be truly amazing.

While her gums are healing, give her softened or canned food. Afterwards, she'll be able to eat even dry kibble just fine. She'll be able to "gum" pieces of biscuit-type cookies and stuff. Her tongue may end up hanging out one side of her mouth if all the teeth are pulled. No biggie, it will make her that much more endearing. Keep a spray bottle around with water in it so it doesn't get too dry.

She will be much happier once her rotten teeth are gone. Like I said, she will be a different dog and the changes will be miraculous.

Bless you and the rescue for saving this girl.

Answer 2

My last foster was a 9 year old with severe gum and tooth disease. He had a dental at the vet's and lost 8 teeth, then he was on antibiotics until the gum disease infections healed (I hope your foster is too, your vet should have explained all this to you). He healed well, no more horrible mouth odor from the infections and he can eat just fine with his remaining teeth. I adopted him to a home where the older couple is aware of the need for continued vet monitoring and possible further dentals for 3 "iffy" teeth (vet said, if it isn't broken, don't fix it - but needs watching). So, for the gums he will need antibiotics if they are still infected, so they can heal. Discuss this with the vet, if you haven't already. My ex-foster is in a caring home, very happy and healthy for probably the first time in years with no hurting teeth or gum infections - this all requires a good dental, some extractions, and monitoring by his adoptive home. Meanwhile, I give CET chews in the evening as treats, they don't swell like rawhide and they have an enzyme that cuts down on tartar build up. I also put CET Aqua Dent in the dogs' drinking water, and spray their gums with Vetz Life Aqua Care before bed. It all helps, but first you need to get the gums to heal, and that requires antibiotics from the vet. Note: Am also surprised that your vet didn't prescribe antibiotics. I would call him and ask if it wouldn't be a good idea, especially in view of the dog;s gums being in bad shape. Some supermarkets, Publix in my area, will fill the prescription for free - for dogs as well as humans.

Answer 3

My toy poodle Flower had to have her remaining 17 teeth pulled and we had to wait because she had heartworm. Yes she is a rescue whom I adore. She 6 1/2 years old and she had this done at the beginning of October and believe it or not she was eating dry food the next day, no I didn't make her I had made her blended dog food mixed with baby food and she ate that and then she was eating out of my other dogs dish. BTW this isn't unusual behavior animals recoup better than we do and once Flower had her teeth pulled she began to blossom, I make no excuses for the appropriate pun.

My advice is give her the meds the vet prescribes and enjoy the improvement in her health and the new bounce in her step

Answer 4

Happens all the time.

If the dog isn't fixed, they'll usually do it at the same time. They put the dog on pain pills and antibiotics and they typically heal up fine. Depending on how many teeth are pulled, sometimes the dogs end up just being able to eat wet food. Toothless dogs get along just fine with soft food and soft treats.

Shelters don't usually have the resources to do all the fancies. It would have been nice if they could have held off a spay so you could get both done at the same time.

Answer 5

Not with a dog, but a few times with cats. They were not all done at once. I believe every other tooth was pulled first time and the rest the second time. They had to have canned food afterwards, but they did just fine. One of them I kept. She lived to about 15 or so if I remember correctly. She was only about 5-6 when she had the teeth removed.

I can;t imagine it would be too much different with a dog.

Answer 6

Hi Shanna!! We have several dogs that come to our clinic that have little to no teeth. Honestly, this girl will be just fine.

Depending upon the shape of her gums will depend on her diet. She may need to eat wet food (or watered down kibble) at first as a transition to allow her gums to heal. If her gums are good and strong, she will be able to eat regular old kibble. In fact, all the toothless dogs (with the exception of one who also had severe gingivitis to the point where her gums needed graphing) at our clinic eat normal kibble.

I would not stress about it, it will most likely bother you much more then it will bother her! Once all those sore teeth are pulled she will feel so much better, it will actually be less painful/uncomfortable for her to eat!!! She will feel like a new girl :)

P.S. Congratuations ;) Too bad Venus and Bear cannot meet!

Answer 7

That's awful. How lucky your new foster is to have been taken away from such people. My rescue group has had to do this a number of times - small dogs are the usual victims of this kind of neglect - and I'm sure the vet will have some guidelines for you. Only soft / wet food from now on, I would think.
Thanks for fostering. It is a hard job, but it's very rewarding too!

Answer 8

That's horrible! :( I'm sure she'll feel much better having them out. The vet should give you some kind of ointment, or soothing lotion to smooth over her gums to relieve pain.

My grandmother had a Cocker Spaniel who had to have her teeth removed because of rotting teeth, and very old age.

She fed her mostly raw diet after that, and some moistened kibble. Most of the diet consisted of - boiled chicken, moist veggies and fruit, and other things. This is what her veterinarian suggested.

Answer 9

Having teeth yanked for a pup is just like a human. Provide relief for pain through medication and alternative methods such as teething toys for pups (I recommend the Chilly Bone to help ease any discomfort). Also, you will want to soften the food and then slowly try to increase the amount of dry dog food used to see how well the pup tolerates dry dog food. You may have to do a mixture of both but you will find out what works best for your foster pup!

Good luck and best of health to the pup!

Answer 10

I have an ancient min. schnauzer, and she has 3 canines left, and a few molars on one side. Other than that, she's toothless. And she gets along just fine. She's a happy girl, and she can eat dry kibble without problem. Not that she doesn't LOVE canned, or better yet, people food..... :O) Good luck with your girl, hope she does well.