If you’re the parent of a senior dog, tooth extraction is probably something you hope never needs to be part of your dog’s oral health plan. However, sometimes it is unavoidable. To help put your mind at ease, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains why a senior dog might need a tooth extraction and what you can expect from start to finish.
When I am talking with clients about why their senior dog needs a dental procedure, it seems most are worried about two things—the anesthesia for the procedure and the fact that their dog may need some teeth extracted. As a dog mom, I get it.
And as a veterinarian with a huge soft spot for senior dogs, I know how vital dental care can be for their comfort and wellbeing. That’s why I want to help you feel a bit more comfortable about what goes into a dental with extractions.
What are the reasons for a senior dog tooth extraction?
Let’s start by getting right to the heart of the matter—why your senior dog might need a tooth extraction in the first place. As you know, dogs need their teeth taken care of just like humans do. This involves brushing the teeth regularly, ensuring they have safe chew toys for dogs, and scheduling professional veterinary dental cleanings as needed.
However, sometimes your dog’s teeth may become unhealthy or damaged despite your best efforts. This is especially the case if you have a small breed dog. They tend to be genetically prone to crowded teeth and poor dental health. Both of these problems increase the chances that a dog tooth extraction may be necessary at some point in a small dog’s life.
In general, senior dogs may need tooth extractions for the following reasons:
- Broken or chipped teeth (such as from chewing on wire crates or antler chews for dogs)
- Loose or wiggly teeth
- Unerupted tooth (a tooth that never fully came through the gums)
- A tooth angled in the wrong direction or in the wrong position
- Dog tooth abscess
- Advanced periodontal disease (i.e. dental disease in dogs)
- Dead or decaying teeth
- Gum disease
- Teeth that are near or part of an oral tumor
These are the most common reasons that your veterinarian might recommend extractions for your dog. But they are not the only reasons.
Extraction decisions are best made during the dental procedure
Often the vet won’t know for sure whether your senior dog needs a tooth extraction (or extractions) until your dog is under general anesthesia for the dental cleaning. Diagnosing many of the problems on the list above requires the vet to be able to X-ray the teeth and probe around them. And those things are only possible under anesthesia.
Next, let’s take a look at some clues that your dog might need a tooth extraction.
What are the symptoms of dental problems in dogs?
Sometimes you will be completely shocked that your dog needs a tooth pulled because he or she seems totally normal. But other times you may have seen some warning signs such as:
- Bad breath—This is probably the most common symptom that dog parents notice. And contrary to what some people may believe, bad breath isn’t normal for older dogs, or any dog. If your dog has “dog breath” it may mean he or she needs dental care.
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating—If a dog’s mouth is painful, he or she may not be interested in eating. Or, if your dog is still eating, you may notice him or her drop food or yelp or cry out when chewing.
- Bloody gums—You may notice blood on the outside of your dog’s lips, on the food or water bowl, or on your dog’s bones or chew toys.
- Plaque or tartar—If your dog lets you examine his or her mouth, you might notice a yellow, brown, grey, or black film on your dog’s teeth. Or, in advanced stages of periodontal disease, it may look like the dog has clumps of material or a shell covering the tooth.
- Swollen lymph nodes— Your dog’s submandibular lymph nodes (i.e. the ones under the chin) may become enlarged due to dental infection. (To find these lymph nodes, check out my dog lymph node location chart .)
- Swelling beneath your dog’s eyes—The upper tooth roots lie in the sinuses below the eye. Infection can travel up the root and create an abscess.
- Pawing at the face—Rubbing or pawing at the face can be a sign your dog is in pain from his or her teeth.
Don’t ignore the signs of dental disease
As you can gather from these signs (or perhaps attest to from your own experience), dental problems can be extremely painful. Sadly, many dogs suffer silently for months or years with dental pain. Sometimes a dog parent won’t even know how badly their dog was hurting until suddenly their dog is happily scarfing down his or her food and running about like a puppy again after a dental procedure.
Additionally, maintaining good dental health is important for your senior dog’s cardiovascular (i.e. heart) health. If your dog has a severe dental infection, it can begin to negatively affect your dog’s heart. Plus, dental disease can impact your dog’s liver, kidneys, lungs, and overall health.
For these reasons, it is better to address dental problems sooner rather than later. If you see the signs above or suspect your dog has dental disease, please make an appointment with your vet.
What can I expect at the vet visit?
At the appointment, the vet will start by gathering information from you about your dog’s dental health and symptoms. Then he or she will perform an oral exam, physical exam, and bloodwork on your dog. Finally, he or she will provide an estimate for whatever treatment he or she recommends.
Dental exam
The oral examination will help your veterinarian start to assess the degree of your senior dog’s dental issues. It usually gives enough information for the vet to decide if the dog would benefit from a dental procedure. However, an awake dog isn’t going to let the vet fully examine the mouth or take X-rays. This means the vet may not know the full extent of the tooth damage or which teeth (if any) need extracted until the dog is under general anesthesia.
Understandably, this need for anesthesia often raises the question “Is my dog too old for anesthesia?” To explain my line of thinking, allow me to quote one of my favorite sayings: “Age is not a disease.”
In other words, just because your dog is a senior, he or she shouldn’t automatically be considered “ill” or “disabled.” Senior dogs can still be very healthy and do well under anesthesia. Therefore, your dog’s age alone isn’t a reason to avoid anesthesia. Instead, you should speak with your vet about whether anesthesia is safe for your dog.
Physical exam and diagnostic testing
Prior to proceeding with anesthesia, the vet will do his or her best to ensure your dog is a good anesthetic candidate. This starts with a complete nose-to-tail physical exam to assess your dog’s heart, lungs, and other systems.
Plus, the vet will probably perform some blood tests for dogs such as a chemistry panel and complete blood count. These tests are helpful for evaluating the major organs as well as red cell, white cell, and platelet numbers. Sometimes the vet will also suggest other tests like chest X-rays or blood pressure measurements.
Together, these examinations and tests can help screen for common geriatric dog problems that might make anesthesia more complicated. Some of these conditions include:
- Heart disease in dogs and heart murmurs in dogs
- Abnormal blood pressure (i.e. hypotension or hypertension in dogs)
- Liver disease in dogs
- Kidney failure in dogs
- Seizures in dogs
I want to be clear that those conditions don’t necessarily mean your dog cannot have anesthesia. That is a decision you and your vet need to make together. It is often quite possible to make a safe anesthetic plan for senior dogs, even those with pre-existing conditions. Plus, dental procedures have a huge potential to greatly improve a dog’s quality of life. This often makes anesthesia a risk worth taking.
Estimate for the senior dog tooth extraction cost
Finally, your vet can give you an estimate for what the dental procedure and possible tooth extractions may cost. However, please know that this estimate can vary significantly depending on what the vet finds once he or she anesthetizes your dog.
When looking at the cost for a dog tooth removal and teeth cleaning, remember that it takes significant expertise, time, and equipment to do a dental procedure and extractions well. This may mean that a dog tooth removal costs more than you would have guessed prior to getting the estimate. But I assure you that it is worth every penny. Dogs often feel so much better after the vet extracts the painful, diseased, or broken teeth.
What can I expect while my dog is under anesthesia?
Understandably, knowing your dog needs to go under anesthesia for a dental procedure can be nerve wracking. But please rest assured that the whole veterinary team takes anesthesia very seriously. They will to do everything they can to avoid and quickly address any anesthetic complications.
Typically, the veterinary team will take the following precautions any time a dog, especially a senior dog, is under anesthesia:
- Ensure that any other conditions are well managed and accounted for when making an anesthetic plan. This may involve modifying the anesthetic drug protocol for dogs with heart issues like mitral valve disease in dogs, checking the blood sugar of a dog with diabetes, etc.
- Place an IV catheter to allow immediate access to the dog’s circulatory system should the dog need any emergency drugs. The vet will also use the catheter to give your dog IV fluids during the procedure. This can help maintain your dog’s blood pressure to provide adequate blood flow to the organs and tissues.
- Have a dedicated veterinary nurse monitoring your dog for the duration of the procedure. He or she will use specialized equipment to track your dog’s blood pressure, oxygenation, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and more. If any of your dog’s vitals become unstable, the veterinary nurse can alert the vet and they can spring into action.
- Continue to monitor your dog during the recovery period. A veterinary team member will check on your dog regularly and take his or her vitals. This is why your dog needs to stay at the clinic for several hours after the procedure.
Working with a veterinary specialist
As an added layer of safety, the vet may also want to involve a veterinary specialist near you in your dog’s care. This tends to be the case if your vet suspects your dog’s anesthesia or dental will be particularly challenging. Sometimes the vet will feel comfortable performing the procedure at his or her clinic after developing a plan with the specialist.
In other cases, your vet may decide it is best to refer your dog to a specialist. This is often a board-certified veterinary dentist if the dog needs fairly extensive or specialized dental work. If your vet doesn’t have a particular dentist he or she recommends, you can find a veterinary dental specialist on the American Veterinary Dental College’s website.
Alternatively, if the vet feels that anesthesia is going to be the most challenging aspect, he or she may recommend going to a specialty clinic with board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists and veterinary dentists on staff. That way, a specialist is handling the anesthesia portion as well as the dentistry portion.
What can I expect during the dental procedure?
Once your dog is anesthetized for the dental procedure, your veterinarian can further assess your dog’s teeth. The first thing he or she might do is take dental X-rays of your dog’s full mouth. X-rays will allow your vet to look at the integrity of the teeth and the roots below the gum line. Since much of the destruction from dental disease occurs below the gum line, these X-rays are vital for evaluating the teeth.
Your veterinarian will also perform a visual examination of your dog’s teeth and gums. He or she will look for signs of decay, abscesses, broken and missing teeth, or pockets around the teeth. Pockets occur when there is a gap between the tooth and the gums. If this occurs, the tooth isn’t as solidly rooted in its spot. As a result, the tooth may be predisposed to infection, decay, or fractures.
If the visual examination and X-rays reveal any unhealthy teeth that are causing problems and pain, the veterinarian may recommend pulling those teeth. No one likes to think about their dog losing teeth. However, I can assure you that dogs often feel much better without these bad teeth.
Sometimes the vet or a veterinary nurse will call you in the middle of the procedure to go over which teeth need to be extracted and to give up an updated cost for the extractions. But other times it is isn’t possible or practical to check in with dog parents in the middle of the procedure.
Senior dog tooth extractions
During the tooth extractions, your veterinarian will give your senior dog nerve blocks much like your dentist would do. A nerve block involves injecting a local anesthetic near the nerve associated with the tooth being removed. Even though your dog is already under anesthesia, this provides additional numbing and pain relief which can last for several hours after the procedure.
The veterinarian will use his or her dental instruments (e.g. dental elevator or luxator, which helps break down the periodontal ligament holding the tooth in place) and drill to carefully extract any of the diseased teeth. Then the veterinary team will take post-extraction X-rays to ensure that the vet removed the entire root.
Finally, after the dog tooth extraction, stitches (i.e. sutures) are sometimes used to close the gum tissue. These stitches typically dissolve on their own during the dog’s tooth removal recovery period.
How many teeth can a dog have pulled?
Some dogs may just need to lose one or two teeth, but others may end up losing significantly more teeth. And sometimes in cases of severe dental disease, the vet may need to perform a full mouth extraction (i.e. removing all remaining teeth). While I know the idea of your dog losing 10 or 20 teeth (or all 42 of his or her adult teeth) may sound scary, it often makes the dog feel so much better in the end.
If your dog is doing well under anesthesia and the extractions are going smoothly, the vet may be able to remove all the damaged teeth during one dental procedure. However, there may be times when he or she wants to do a staged dental procedure (i.e. complete the dental over the course of two or more separate sessions). Your vet will let you know what approach is in your dog’s best interest.
Dealing with jaw fractures
Occasionally, the dog’s jaw may break before, during, or after the extractions. While the vet always uses the utmost caution during extractions, severe dental disease can weaken and destroy the bone in the jaw to the point that it loses its integrity. Plus, senior dogs with other health conditions can also be prone to weaker jaw bones. In the event of a jaw fracture, your veterinarian will contact you to discuss the next steps.
Teeth cleaning and polishing
A veterinary nurse will also perform a dental cleaning while your dog is under anesthesia. First, he or she will use an ultrasonic scaler to remove the plaque from your dog’s remaining teeth. Then the nurse will polish the teeth to get rid of any microscopic scratches created by the scaler. This makes the surface of the tooth smooth, which helps prevent plaque-forming bacteria from adhering as easily.
How long does dog dental surgery take?
The length of the dental procedure itself can vary depending on the level of your dog’s periodontal disease and the number of teeth the vet needs to extract. Sometimes it may only take 45 minutes or so. But with a lot of extractions or some difficult extractions (e.g. large teeth with large roots), the dental surgery may take several hours.
Once the vet completes the dental, your dog will need a few hours to recover from the anesthesia before he or she is ready to come home. The veterinary team will continue to monitor your dog carefully during the post-extraction recovery period.
What are the post-extraction instructions?
Once your dog has recovered fully from the anesthesia, he or she can go home. At the time of discharge, the vet or veterinary nurse will give you specific post-procedure instructions. It is important that you follow these instructions carefully to help your dog have the best and fastest recovery possible.
Some general guidelines include:
1. Administer pain medications as directed.
As you might imagine, extractions are painful. Therefore, your veterinarian will typically send your dog home with pain medications including a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and possibly a second pain medication such as gabapentin. Ensure that you give those medications exactly as directed so you dog receives adequate pain control.
If you feel your dog is still painful, please consult with your vet. Do not decide to give your dog extra doses of pain medication on your own.
2. Soften your dog’s food for a few days.
Your veterinarian will also provide directions about what to feed dogs after tooth extraction(s). He or she might recommend giving your dog softened food for a few days. This may involve adding water to the dry kibble or feeding your dog wet food. It is important, though, that you do not drastically change your dog’s meals. Diet changes can upset your dog’s stomach, and your dog may already be somewhat nauseous from the anesthesia.
3. Allow your dog to determine his or her activity level.
Unlike other types of surgery, your dog may not need to be exercise-restricted during the recovery period. Most likely your veterinarian will say that your dog can resume his or her normal activities following the extractions.
What can I expect during my senior dog’s tooth extraction recovery?
Following your dog’s procedure, he or she will likely be very tired when you get home. This is to be expected. Your dog just spent all day at the vet hospital and went through oral surgery. Plus, he or she might still be a bit groggy from the anesthesia.
If your dog wants to curl up somewhere and sleep the rest of the night, do not be alarmed. It is good to let your dog relax and rest. However, you do still need to wake your dog up to administer the pain medications and/or other medications as prescribed.
That night or the next morning (depending on your vet’s instructions) offer your dog water and some softened dog food. Keep in mind that since your dog received IV fluids during the procedure, he or she may not drink as much water at first. Also, he or she may not eat quite as much as usual at that first meal or two.
Watch for complications of a senior dog tooth extraction
The first three days following anesthesia are when you are most likely to notice complications. It is important you keep a close eye on your dog during this part of the senior dog tooth extraction recovery period.
Some of the senior dog tooth extraction complication symptoms to watch for include:
- Pawing at the face
- Decreased appetite
- Tilting the head at an abnormal angle while eating
- Drooling
- Sensitivity if the mouth is touched
- Facial swelling
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Being a lethargic dog
Most of these complication symptoms are due to the anesthesia or pain from extractions. Let’s take a closer look at some of the tooth extraction complications.
Nausea
If you have ever had surgery yourself, you might remember feeling very nauseous afterward. This is a common side effect of anesthesia. Therefore, your dog might experience mild vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite after surgery. If this continues for more than two days, I recommend scheduling a recheck with your veterinarian.
Pain
The other common complication, especially after extractions, is pain. Having a clean and healthy mouth is very beneficial to your dog. But he or she may be uncomfortable for the first couple days as your dog recovers from the tooth removal. There also might be substantial inflammation in your dog’s mouth.
Dogs may paw at their mouth in response to pain or abnormal sensations at the extraction site. This tends to be a indication that your dog’s mouth is really bothering him or her. Plus, pawing at the mouth after dental surgery isn’t good because it can break open the extraction sites. Thus, if your dog is rubbing his or her face on the floor, or pawing at the mouth after tooth removal, please consult your vet promptly.
Additionally, if you are seeing any other signs your dog is in pain, please speak with your veterinarian. Your dog may need additional pain medications or a recheck with the vet. But, as mentioned before, do not give extra doses of pain medication without consulting your vet.
Bleeding from extraction sites
Sometimes dogs might also have some extraction site bleeding. Very mild bleeding is fairly common, especially if your dog had severe dental disease. If there is profuse bleeding, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
Sleepiness or decreased appetite
Finally, remember it is normal to see some sleepiness in your dog along with some decreased eating during this time. But as your dog’s mouth heals and the anesthesia wears off, your dog should quickly return to normal. If he or she doesn’t or you have any concerns, please contact your veterinarian.
On the road to recovery
Once you get through those first few days of your dog’s teeth removal recovery, most dogs quickly start to feel better. They are usually less painful and can start to appreciate their fresh smile. Your dog’s appetite should return and he or she will probably get more spring in his or her step.
Often families are amazed at just how much better their senior dog feels after the dental. Veterinary dentistry really can be life-changing for your dog!
Your veterinarian will likely want to recheck your dog’s mouth about 10 to 14 days following the oral surgery. During that appointment, your vet will ask you how your dog has been doing at home. Then he or she will examine your dog’s mouth, with special focus on the extraction sites.
Most sutures (i.e. stitches) that vets use when closing teeth extraction sites will slowly dissolve over time. However, if there are any that are not dissolving, your vet will probably remove them at the recheck.
At this point, you can breathe that final sigh of relief. You and your dog have made it through the senior dog tooth extraction recovery period. Now, you can focus on promoting good oral hygiene and delaying the time until your dog needs another dental. If you have questions about how to do this, your veterinarian is a great resource.
Can’t I just pull my dog’s loose tooth at home?
After reading about everything that goes into senior dog tooth extractions, some of you may be wondering if there is an easier alternative. If your dog’s tooth is loose or broken, can’t you just pull it out yourself?
The answer is a resounding “No!” While dental disease may lead to old dogs losing teeth on their own, you absolutely should not pull a tooth at home. I say this for a few reasons:
- The tooth is probably painful. Even the best dogs can bite when in pain.
- If you pull the tooth, it is very likely that a portion of the root will break and be left behind. This is painful for your dog and can lead to infections and other problems.
- If your dog has one loose tooth it is likely that he or she needs a full dental cleaning and possibly other extractions. It is important to address the health of your dog’s whole mouth sooner rather than later to avoid more problems down the road.
- Dental work should always be performed under anesthesia for your dog’s comfort and wellbeing.
Let me say it again. Please leave dental work to your veterinarian or a veterinary dentist! Your dog will thank you.
Don’t let fear of a senior dog tooth extraction stand in the way of your dog’s comfort
I understand how difficult it can be to think about your beloved senior dog undergoing anesthesia and possibly having some tooth extractions. But I am here to say that it is worth it! I have heard countless stories from dog parents who were amazed by how much better their dog felt after the dental. And they often say that they wish they would have done it sooner.
If your senior dog is having tooth troubles, please speak with your veterinarian. He or she would be happy to walk you through the pros and cons of a dental procedure and answer any questions you might have about the anesthesia or extractions. Like any procedure, it does have its risks. But the reward is a happy dog with a pain-free smile who can get back to enjoying life to the fullest without dental pain getting in the way.
How has a dental and tooth extractions improved your dog’s life?
Please comment below.
My 13 yo Shih Tzu recently had 4 teeth extracted- the first two days you could tell he was so uncomfortable, even with pain meds he was an unhappy guy. A couple days later he acted like nothing happened! We are about 2 weeks post-op & he just seems so much happier! I was wondering how getting teeth pulled would effect their moods & behavior afterwards- but it seems to make him feel so much better! I see how it can just overall improve their quality of life. Thank you for this article!
Hi Ariana,
I am glad your senior guy is feeling so well and that his quality of life has improved. Diseased or damaged teeth can be very painful! Dogs are great at hiding their discomfort and will carry on with their normal routine despite the pain. It sounds like your boy finally found some relief and is enjoying every moment now that he is pain free. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Give your sweet boy a hug for me!
Dear Dr Buzby, my toy poodle girl is 15 years old and just lost a tooth, our wonderful vet gave her a thorough consultation and believes she is in good condition for a dental (that will probably include a lot of extractions- we have been quoted for worst case scenario). We are booked in for 2 weeks time when our vet returns from a break! I love your quote age isn’t a disease- I keep reminding myself of that. One question that has popped up for me that I will speak to my vet about before the op but wanted to get your thoughts on collapsing trachea and a surgical procedure / intubation? During our last annual check up our vet noted that the coughing we described when we pick our pup up/put her on the ground was related to age related tracheal collapse not her heart as her heart presented good! Could a surgical procedure make her tracheal collapse worse? Is this something we should be weighing up too? Not something either of us thought about as she doesn’t present with it unless she is handled in the wrong way. I know my girl is stoic and her teeth are causing her pain now so as much as I am anxious, I am excited to give her back quality of life … I just now have this new worry about her trachea and damage to that impacting on her.
Hi Sarah,
I understand your concern for your pup and think she is very lucky to have you taking such good care of her. I am SO GLAD you brought up this important topic! Yes, intubation can cause tracheal irritation which can make dogs with tracheal collapse struggle a bit after the procedure. Definitely discuss this with your vet. I don’t think it is cause for cancelling the dental but would want to include some extra medications to help prevent inflammation if possible. Hoping all goes smoothly for your sweet girl. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance!
Dear Dr Buzby
Thank you for your reply and advice! I spoke to our amazing vet team who said much the same as you did. They were ready with extra meds and protocols to support her trachea and she also had her bloods done before surgery and was on fluids pre and post op. She is now 25 teeth lighter (only 9 left ) but has bounced back so quickly! I can’t wait to see how she is in a few weeks. I am so happy that we did the dental extractions and I didn’t let my own fear get in the way, it was really scary and risky but we were told some teeth pretty much fell out during surgery because they were in such poor condition. We had no idea how much pain she was in! She never let on! This article you put together, your advice and personalised responses are so valuable. Thank you. 🙏
Hi Sarah,
Thanks so much for taking the time to give us this wonderful update! It is always great to hear how things end up, and I’m honored to have played a small part in helping you and your pup. I’m so happy to hear that her dental and extractions went well and that she has bounced back quickly! Give your sweet girl a snuggle for me!
Hi, my older mini schnauzer (13.5) has just had a dental clean and 17 extractions, 12 little ones from the front and some right at the back, she’s had all her teeth up till now, In the past she’s had a large mast cell tumour removed and her spleen for a benign tumour so I have anxiety about so much when it comes to her health. Her liver tests were abnormal, I believe this can be from dental disease, her kidneys function very good. She now seems so much bouncier, on and off the sofa, still food obsessed and 2 days post procedure doing great. I was so worried for another anaesthetic/procedure but happily it’s been a smooth run. Her breathe is also so much nicer and she seems happy!
The increase in energy is so lovely to see, long may it last!, Hope this reassures anyone worried, it can go really well and a happy dog is the dream for as long as possible :0)
Hi Gina,
This is such a wonderful story! I am glad your girl’s dental procedure was successful, and she is now feeling so much better. Thank you for sharing your experience with us as I am certain this will offer hope and encouragement to others. Wishing your sweet girl many happy days ahead. Keep up the good work!
Hello I am looking for a little advise. Under advise from our vet we had our senior pug (12) undergo her teeth removal. The vet said that the procedure went well, we since have done the medicine as prescribed but it is now 12 days after the procedure (medication ended about 36 hours since the last dose) but she is still very wobbly and drowsy even frequently collapsing (appears to be half losing balance half fainting) throughout the day. We had a follow up with the vet 3 days ago to which they said it is normal but we are still very concerned. Is this something we should seek someone else to look at?
Hi Derek,
I am sorry your senior girl is having these ongoing issues. I understand why you are worried and agree this is concerning. It may be that your pup has experienced a vestibular episode. If this is the case, then it should resolve on its own with time. But this is definitely not what would be expected after a dental procedure. Here is a link to another article with more information: Vestibular Disease in Dogs: Doggy Vertigo
I do think it may be best to get a second opinion. Hoping you can get the answers needed to find a clear path forward. Praying for healing and a positive outcome for your sweet girl.
My 16yo chihuahua cross 2.4kg is day 4 post op of 3 canine teeth. He has dementia. He seems to be really struggling and I’m wondering if I have made the right decision. He screams when not even being touched. He is eating, drinking and passing urine. He is in paracetamol and gabapentin. The vet is going to put in another analgesic. Just feel so bad.
Dear Theresa,
I am so sorry your little pup is experiencing such distressing symptoms. I am glad you are staying in close contact with your vet, and they are planning to add on an additional pain medication. How are things today? Hoping all is well and that your boy has made a full recovery. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Bless you both.
My senior Havanese pup of 15 and a half years recently had a tooth extraction procedure (24 teeth removed and 6 left). She did well during the procedure but in the weeks following was violently pawing at her mouth all day long so 2 weeks post surgery she was put under again to remove the sutures, in case it was the sutures bothering her. Sadly, a couple days after that surgery her agitation started again. It’s now been 1 month post initial extraction surgery and she’s still violently pawing at her mouth (she wears a cone permanently to prevent any damage). I’ve tried different anti-anxiety meds but these don’t seem to have an effect. Do you think it might be nerve or bone damage? Or is the surgical site just still itchy from healing and we have to give it more time? She has her pawing fits either after eating or after waking up from a nap. Thank you for any advice!
Hi Kat,
I am sorry your senior girl is still struggling with discomfort in her mouth. Without examining her myself it is hard to offer specific conclusions. Does your vet have the ability to take dental x-rays? If not, I would highly recommend you asking for a referral to a specialist. There could be changes to the underlying bone that need to be addressed. It sounds like your vet has done exactly what I would usually recommend. It’s so hard when unexpected complications pop up and despite our best efforts, we are still left with more questions than answers. Hoping you can get to the bottom of this quickly and find a way to offer your girl relief. Praying for healing and comfort and wishing you both the best of luck.
We are having the same issue with our 13 year old Morkie. Did this ever resolve? Any tips or tricks that worked for you ? It’s been 5 weeks & she’s still pawing.
My 15 year old chihuahua needs a full extraction. He does have a stage 3-4 heart murmur but is otherwise healthy. His vet is recommending he have all his teeth extracted, as they are worried all the infection will complicate his heart issues further. They have reassured me that they think he would do fine under light anesthesia but I am terrified of losing my baby. I am so torn on what to do.
Dear Carey,
I understand why you are conflicted and am glad you are not taking this decision lightly. Ultimately, you have to do what you think is best and lean on the expertise of your vet when needed. Hoping you can find clarity as you navigate this tricky path. Praying for a successful outcome for your sweet boy.
Hi,
Great article for us senior dog parents, very well composed and informative, personable and easily understood. I’m writing as I’d like to inform the audience of the great outcome my Polly had. Unfortunately my little chihuahua’s last remaining teeth needed to be removed, many were loose, and even after my careful dental care over the years, and yearly vet dentals, she just has such a small jaw and it just progressed.
She was 13 at the time, luckily with no further health issues.
Polly always seemed spry and happy to me and my husband, but the amazing difference! I can’t even say how much she perked up from what we thought was happy and healthy. She was literally a pup again. I realised she must’ve been in pain, and we all know how dental pain can be. How stoic our animals are, they hide pain very well.
I wouldn’t hesitate with my other dogs as they age to get any dental treatment required.
Polly highly recommends it 😊
Hi Donna,
I’m thrilled to hear that Polly has been loving life even more since she had her last few teeth removed! Thanks so much for sharing her story with us and for the encouragement and reassurance it offers to other dog parents who are in a similar position. All the best to you and Polly! ❤️
I have a 14 year old chihuahua who has one tooth remaining. Due to fishy smelling breath, the tooth in all likelihood needs to be extracted. My vet advised removing that tooth may fracture his jaw, so it was left when all others were removed several years ago. In my research, there does not appear to be any options other than go through surgery and manage a broken jaw if it occurs. Speaking with my vet but I don’t see what more can be done.
Hi Angela,
What a difficult situation. Unfortunately, as your vet mentioned and your research confirmed, extractions, especially of a large or well rooted tooth, can sometimes lead to a jaw fracture on small dogs due to them not having a ton of bone in the jaw to work with. If possible, I would recommend consulting with a veterinary dentist. Veterinary dentists have more tools and training at their disposal to perform complicated extractions and they would also have more experience with wiring the jaw should it fracture. I hope all goes well with the tooth extraction! Feel free to give us an update!
My 12-year-old (19 lbs) female miniature poodle had 9 teeth removed on July 16, 2024. She recovered well from the surgery. However, the next day, she developed a “head-shaking” behavior. Our vet checked her mouth (on July 30th and October 4th) and says that she’s healed well: There’s no sign of infection or trauma. He recommended Trazodone (25 mg twice a day) for a month hoping it would help her to get over what appears to be a post-surgery nervous tic. After a month of Trazodone, she’s still shaking her head several times a day but not constantly. She sleeps well and seems to feel fine. Our vet suggested three options: 1. Take her to a canine neurologist, 2. Try phenobarbital, or 3. Just live with it. She doesn’t appear to be suffering so we’re inclined to “just live with it.” I wish poodles could talk so she could tell me why she shakes her head.
Hi Maureen,
That is so strange! I am glad your girl doesn’t seem to be painful and is able to continue living a happy life. Hoping you will know if more investigation is needed and wishing you both all the best of luck. Take care and give your sweet girl a hug for me!
Thank you so much for all of the information you’ve shared. My dog had 22 of her 42 teeth extracted, what tips or advice do you have to help maintain dental health. She does not allow brushing, except for the groomer they seem to have success but thats a 4 time a year thing since we wash and care for her at home mainly.
Hi Emily,
This is a great question! There are many options when it comes to routine daily oral hygiene for dogs. There are sprays, wipes, and oral rinses. Several companies make dental cleaning chews that are approved by the veterinary oral health council. You can also utilize a water additive that prevents bacteria from attaching to the teeth and gums which prevents tartar and plaque buildup. I think a combination approach usually works best for most of my clients. Talk to your vet to see what they recommend for you pup’s specific situation. Ultimately, it may take some trial and error. I am hopeful you will find what works best for you. Best wishes and good luck!
I am so interested in these discussions. My 14 yr old yorkie had over 38 teeth extracted and it was a terrible decision to make but my vet said her mouth was so infected and when we had her cleaned she almost passed from the anesthesia so we took to a special dental Dr and anesthesiologist in a well known hospital and 7500 dollars later she had the surgery. She came through it and is eating , it’s almost a year and her head hangs down all the time and she looks so sad and I wonder if we made a mistake . Her tongue is very dry like metal and I wonder if something can be done for it. The odor is gone so I believe some pain is gone and she had other problems but the self questions will always be there. Wish you could help, but know there is probably nothing. She is on prednisone which I also hate and question but we listen to our physician s .
Her
Led
Hi Terree,
I understand your concern for your little pup and know what it is like to have all the “what ifs” running through your mind. It sounds like the dental disease was resolved and you did what you could to improve your girl’s quality of life. I do wonder if she may be starting to exhibit symptoms of dementia/canine cognitive dysfunction which is very common in senior dogs. Here is a link to another article with more information: Signs of Dementia in Dogs: Stages, Symptoms & Treatment
Hoping you can continue to keep her happy and comfortable. Wishing you both nothing but the best. ♥
try going on youtube VeterinarySecrets– Dr Jones. he has hundreds of videos that are short and he may have something that speaks to your concern. also…read the comments under each short video, there are hundreds of comments from other pet owners on sooo many subjects and it’s an education in itself!
After our 10 year old yorkie had teeth extracted for the last couple of. Months continues to have high blood pressure as well as low blood sugar
Giving her medicine for blood pressure
The falling down due to the blood sugar is hard to control even with sweet food when it occurs
All happened after surgery
Dear Keith,
I am sorry your senior pup has had a decline in her health since the dental procedure was performed. I understand how hard it can be to manage more than one issue at a time. It sounds like you are doing all you can to ensure your girl maintains her quality of life for as long as possible. Best wishes and bless you both.
Hi. We recently adopted a senior 5 lb Yorkie:) She had 20 teeth removed just before we brought her home a week ago! She just finished her antibiotics & pain meds. She’s eating great & drinking water & has good energy. Today, she started darting her tongue in & out & licking constantly licking stuff: my pants, the couch, etc. Is she in pain? It’s been 2 weeks since she’s had her dental but she’s recently come off her pain meds. Thanks.
Hi Christine,
I understand your concern for your little pup with this strange new behavior she is exhibiting. Honestly, I am not sure what is stimulating this constant licking. It may just be an OCD type of response, but I like to err on the side of caution and think it would be best to contact your vet. They can let you know if a recheck is needed or might be able to offer guidance on how to decrease her anxiety if that is contributing. Hoping all is well and wishing you the best of luck.
I am so glad I got this article from my google search! So much infornation given in such a warm and personable manner. You answered ALL my questions ! Thank you so much
Hi Alexandra,
Thank you for the kind words! I appreciate the feedback about the article and am so glad it was informative and helpful. Best wishes to you and yours. ♥
This is happening to my 17 year old Chihuahua right now! She has dental surgery, two weeks later she was doing that licking and pawing at her mouth, or towards the floor, and I took her back in and she had 4 teeth that had been missed the first time. Now, a week after those teeth were removed, she’s doing it again and I’m so so sad for her, and I don’t know what else to do…
Dear Andi,
I am so sorry your senior girl is experiencing these worrisome dental issues. It may be time to ask about a consultation with a veterinary dentistry specialist. Does your vet have the ability to take dental x-rays? Hoping for definitive answers and a clear path forward with treatment. Praying for healing and comfort for your sweet girl.
My 11 year old yorkie’s eye was damaged when extracting a back tooth. We don’t know yet if she lost vision.
Dear Angela,
I am so sorry your senior girl suffered this terrible complication. Praying her eye will be able to heal and she can maintain her vision. Bless you both. ♥
How do I get donation for dental care
Hi Jeanette,
I am not aware of any organizations that offer assistance with dental care. I would recommend you contact your local shelter or humane society and see if they have any information. There may also be specific breed rescues in your area that help with care for certain situations. Hoping you can find the answers you need to take care of your pup. Best wishes to you and yours.
Hi, my JRT is 18-19years old. She has severe dental issues and would require dental surgery to remove most of her teeth. Shes eating fine but we’re thinking she might be so used to the pain. Her blood work results indicated low RBC (4.69M/uL) and reticulocytes (191.8K/uL). Her creatinine is slightly on the high (2.0mg/DL) as well. I’m worried if she were to go under anaesthesia, it might be an issue and we might lose her.
Dear Melissa,
I understand your concern for your girl and can see why you are conflicted about how to proceed. It is hard to weigh the risks verses the benefits in these types of situations. My best advice is to schedule a consultation with a dentistry specialist. Usually, these specialists are in a larger referral center that also has boarded anesthesia specialists. They are highly trained and have tons of experience with more complicated cases and dogs with a higher anesthesia risk. It is possible to give a dog IV fluids before, during, and after surgery to help protect the kidneys and make sure they are not damaged during anesthesia. I encourage you to talk through your questions and concerns with your vet. I am hopeful that you can partner together to make the best plan for your senior girl.
Our GSD is about nine years old (estimate given by the rescue shelter). A dental vet diagnosed him with a fractured upper canine tooth with exposed pulp. They recommend taking xrays to determine the condition of the roots and then likely an extraction. I am scared at the thought of removing the tooth, given how deep it extends into the jaw. Is a root canal, if possible, worth the extra cost in terms of recovery, less trauma, aesthetics, or other benefits? The vet was estimating about $5,000 when all is done, including a crown. I want to do what is best for our boy but find it difficult to know given all of the considerations, including the cost. Some of the other stories re poor post-surgery recoveries are also worrying. To make things even more difficult, I took my dog to another vet (at animal hospital that does dental extractions) for a second opinion, and this vet said the tooth didn’t seem to hurt the dog and if the dog were his, he wouldn’t do the extraction. He recommended watching the tooth until there were other signs, such as greater pain, swelling, really bad smell…. Does that sound like good advice? I am not sure and would appreciate some clear guidance.
Hi Carol,
I understand your concern for your Shepherd and can see why you are conflicted about how to proceed. Honestly, I would pursue the dental x-rays and then make a decision. Once you have the important information about the health of the root of the tooth, you will know if a root canal is still an option or if extraction is necessary. Dogs are great at masking pain and are able to appear completely normal even if dealing with some daily discomfort. If the pulp of the tooth is exposed, I am certain this tooth is painful and wouldn’t want to wait for it to get worse before taking action. Ultimately, you have to trust your intuition as you know your boy better than anyone. Hoping you can get the advice you need to find a clear path forward. Best wishes and praying for a full recovery for your sweet boy.
my dog is senior 8 yr old he has peridentonl dieasea I’m from india in uttrakhand here docter say proper dental cleaning full anesthesia n painkiller given by I’m worried about to much painkiller effect her kidney earlier my dog has died because docter give too much of painkiller for stone operation and last kidney has faild n my dog has died so this condition I’m worried too much painkiller plz hlp bt can I do for my dog so that this time ican save her life
Hi Beauty,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior girl. I understand why you are worried with the recent losses of your other two dogs. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any other way to resolve dental disease without a proper dental cleaning. My best advice is to have blood work done before the procedure to see if there are any abnormalities present that would increase the risk of anesthesia. If everything looks good, I recommend proceeding with the dental. My suspicion is that your other dogs may have had some underlying problems with their kidneys even before anesthesia was administered. Try to have an honest conversation about your concerns with your vet and see if they can make some changes to their anesthesia protocol if needed. Wishing you all the best of luck and praying for a positive outcome.
Our 90 pound old man (he’s almost 10 that we know of…we got him from the shelter 10 years ago) had to have an upper premolar extracted yesterday afternoon. . Sent home with clindamycin, gabapentin and instructions to give his daily deracoxib as well. He handled the procedure and anesthesia like a champ according to our Vet. He seems to be pretty normal aside from a little groaning/moaning in his sleep, but i’m attributing that to any remaining anesthesia. Poor guy just doesn’t understand why we aren’t letting him sleep with one of our kids as normal. I’m sure it would be fine, but I’m just being cautious as I’m sure an accidental foot to the jaw would be quite painful!!
Hi Brittany,
I agree, it is best for your senior guy to have some space for the first night and then hopefully he can get back into his normal bedtime routine. So glad his dental procedure went smoothly, and it sounds like he has some great pain meds on board. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. It’s so refreshing to hear the success stories! Take care and best wishes to you and your sweet boy.
my fur baby is 18 years old and has a appointment tomorrow to get all his teeth pulled out due to decayed teeth and I’m scared about putting him under anesthesia , he did do the blood tests and it came back that excellent , but this is a big tough decision on my part , I’m so scared
Hi Champagne,
I understand your hesitation and worry with your senior guy going through such a big procedure. What a blessing his lab work showed no abnormalities, and he has been cleared for anesthesia. I can only imagine how much better he will feel after his diseased teeth are removed and the dental disease is resolved. How did things go? Hoping all is well and your boy is recovering peacefully at home. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
I had my 15 year old dogs upper teeth removed I understand your fear. I am so happy I didn’t let my fear stop the procedure as she is feeling so much better. There is a spring back in her step and seeing how much better she is feeling was so worth doing.
Hi Lynn,
I am so glad your senior girl is feeling great since having her dental procedure. Thank you for sharing your experience and offering encouragement to others!
my 17..3 year old Lhasa apso maltese mix went through a dental with some extractions did really well. I had a Dental Specialst do the dental. the team hydrated .my dog before after and during the procedure. He did great. just make sure a blood test is taken.
Hello. I have a 14.5 year old 5 lb pomeranian who has a few loose teeth. I noticed her pawing at her muzzle so I took her in. She is scheduled for a dental but I am concerned as she had a mild bout of pancreatitis in November which she is doing much better now. Blood work was mostly okay in November they just saw the inflamation around the pancreas on ultrasound. I am going in a few weeks to discuss with the vet but I’m just curious your opinion if anesthesia is safe with her hx. She has always been very nauseous after anesthesia in the past and I don’t know if she was already having the pancreatic issues. Vet thought she always just had a sensitive stomach. Could it cause a flare up? I’m just super nervous. She is doing excellent now on a low fat diet and i have not seen additional pawing at her muzzle but vet says she needs extractions. Thank you
Hi Nissa,
I understand your concern for your senior girl with her history of pancreatitis issues. As long as the necessary pre-operative testing/lab work is performed and the results are normal, I would recommend proceeding with the dental procedure. While anesthesia carries a small risk, the potential negative effects of dental disease left untreated are very great. I think your plan to discuss all the details with your vet is a good idea. Make sure you are honest about your concerns and ask any questions you may have lingering. Hoping things will go smoothly and your girl will feel so much better after her mouth is clean and healthy. Praying for a positive outcome and wishing you both the best of luck!
Hi Dr. Buzby,
Do you ever recommend full mouth extractions (even if some of the remaining teeth are perfectly healthy) for your senior patients that have a history of dental problems/extractions and have an increasing risk of anesthesia as they age? For my own old guy, he only has about 10 remaining teeth, about half of them definitely need to be extracted soon but if the others are okay, I’d still rather take them out at the same time since I don’t feel good about continuing the annual routine of extractions we’ve been having to do the last few years with his heart murmur. Would vets generally be opposed to extracting healthy teeth even if the patient has a history of bad teeth? For example, if the patient has a history of teeth needing extractions, why would a vet want to leave a few healthy teeth remaining after extractions when it is most likely they will decay like the others? Reading some of the stories here about old dogs having painful teeth problems but not being able to undergo anesthesia is heartbreaking. It really seems like some could have been avoided if more vets were proactive with FMEs instead of trying to save as many teeth as possible (I’m not a vet, so I’m sure I’m missing some considerations).
Hi Douglas,
This is a very interesting topic you have brought up. I am sorry for the delay in response. I actually did reach out to a colleague, who is a dentistry specialist, with your question. She said this is a BIG discussion and she could not provide a quick response. She recommended you reach out to a dentistry specialist and discuss the details and options. I can tell you that I personally do not recommend extracting healthy teeth. Teeth that are not diseased are extremely difficult to extract and it can cause a great deal of damage and complications trying to safely remove them (even to the degree of fracturing the jaw). I am sorry you are facing such a difficult decision for your senior guy. Hoping you can get the answers you need to find a clear path forward. Wishing you both nothing but the best. Take care!
Thanks for the response Dr. Buzby! Yes, it is definitely a case-by-case basis to consider a full mouth extraction and one that should only be had with someone with the knowledge and experience needed to make the call. It is helpful to know that extracting healthy teeth comes with additional complexities and risk. My question was originally prompted from reading Dr. Hale’s article about one and done dentals: http://www.toothvet.ca/PDFfiles/WME_part_2.pdf, and his more silly article proposing extractions for all teeth for all pets: http://www.toothvet.ca/PDFfiles/WME_for_all.pdf. I guess I was curious whether Dr. Hale’s opinions are commonly shared in the medical community or if his approach is a bit more radical!
Hi Douglas,
I do think his opinions are a bit more radical, at least when compared to the circles I tend to run in. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the links to the articles!
My dog is 12 and has significant periodontal disease. He recently saw the vet and we scheduled his dental work, but the earliest they could do it is in two months. I had hoped we wouldn’t have to wait so long. He seems to be doing okay overall (energetic, eating fine), but I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do while we wait to keep it from worsening. I already give him a water additive and “PlaqueOff” chews.
Hi Jennifer,
I understand your concern with this long waiting period. While I agree it isn’t ideal, as long as there are no obviously abscessed teeth or serious issues, things should remain fairly stable over the next few weeks. You are already doing a great job with using the water additive and PlaqueOff chews. If you start to notice any worrisome symptoms develop, contact your vet right away. They would probably prescribe an antibiotic just to keep things under control until the full dental cleaning and assessment can be performed. I feel confident that things will turn out for the best. Keep up the good work!
My 8yr old jack russel/pug had a dental surgery yesterday after we spotted one of her teeth had fallen out and her breath was bad. They ended up pulling almost all of her top teeth and a couple of her bottom ones (19 total). Me and my family are devastated and feel so guilty that we didn’t notice sooner.
My mum especially is wondering if we did the right thing, and is worried about her adjusting to normal life again after this. We would love some consolation to ease our minds and get an outside perspective that it was the right decision.
Thanks so much <3
Hi Erin,
Yes! You absolutely did the right thing! Dental disease is very painful and now with those bad teeth gone your girl will feel SO MUCH better. Resolving all the inflammation and infection in her mouth will also improve her internal organ function and likely extend her life. Try not to feel guilty for how things progressed. As soon as you realized there was a problem you acted quickly and made sure your girl received the care she needed. Your pup should adjust quickly, and you may never even be able to tell she had the teeth removed at all. You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work! ♥
Our 15 year old corgi has just been to the vet and they have informed us she has terrible gingivitis and that she may need all her teeth extracted. She has had the blood work done and is ok to go under anaesthetic. The last 6 months she has started to sleep a lot more and just age a little more quickly. I’m not sure whether it is worth going through such a big procedure. Will it make much of a difference to her quality of life considering she is sowing down?
Hi Fiona,
I am sorry your girl is experiencing the effects of severe dental disease and is requiring such a big procedure to improve her health. While there are no guarantees, I can definitely say that in my experience dogs feel much better once their dental issues are corrected. Dental problems can be very painful (even if your pup hides it well) and even cause changes to the internal organs. Many dogs gain energy and are noticeably happier after resolving their dental disease. Often times their blood work/internal organ function will improve as well. Ultimately, you have to make a choice in which you can feel confident and comfortable. Wishing you all the best and praying for a positive outcome.
My 13 year old Jack Russell cross is diabetic and on insulin twice daily. My vet has decided that she needs dental surgery because the bacteria from her bad teeth is affecting her health, as she frequently does not want to eat despite having always been very keen on her food.. This in turn affects the insulin dosage. She is otherwise happy and lively and does not leave my side 24/7. I am very reluctant to have her undergo anaesthesia and finding it very difficult to go ahead with the dental surgery. What would you advise?
Hi Jennifer,
I am always an advocate for dental care and think it is best to resolve the dental disease if the benefits outweigh the risks. As long as the proper testing has been done and there are no issues that would make anesthesia a bad choice, I would recommend moving forward with the dental procedure. If you have any questions about pre-anesthetic testing, please talk to your vet. They can go over the details and help address your worries and concerns. Wishing you all the best of luck. Take care!
My rat terrier/chihuahua. Mix has to have teeth removed.. the vet has already charged me 400$ running tests on her to check for heart worms and routine bloodwork. They want to charge another 500$ before extracting the teeth to see if her heart is strong enough for the surgery. Is this necessary to have her teeth pulled? It wasn’t at the last vet but that vet is retired now. My dog is 13 years old and has been in pain for months becaus im on a fixed income and can only pay for one test at a time til they do her teeth. Which idk how much more that’ll cost.
Hi Delisa,
I understand your concern about the extensive testing that has been recommended and the cost associated. Declining to have your dog’s heart evaluated is not something that would necessarily prevent a vet from being able to do a dental cleaning. But running some extra tests is a way to reduce the risk of heart related anesthesia complications. Ultimately, the choice is yours and if you would like to proceed without the extra diagnostics just let your vet know. Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions due to circumstances that are out of our control but keeping in mind what is best for the well-being of a beloved dog. Hoping you can get the answers you need to find a clear path forward. Wishing you and your sweet girl all the best.
my dog, chihuahua/jack Russell mix had 20 teeth extracted yesterday. the cost was $2125.00. two years ago, he had 13 teeth removed for $1300.00, he will be 15 years old in a few months. I cannot stand the thought of him being in pain, so I had to find the money. I paid half on care credit and half from my saving from tax return. I didn’t let them do the heart xray, considering his age. he could’ve potentially died from a severe infection, he was getting it done either way.
Hi Jane,
I am sorry it has been a challenge to come up with the funds needed for your dog’s medical care. I am glad to hear you were able to find a way to save for this important procedure. Hoping your sweet boy is feeling better and wishing him all the best for many happy days ahead. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
My 13 yr old chihuahua had 7 teeth removed today. She’s had other teeth removed in the past and did fine. This time I noticed a blood clot on her top gum. Later I saw she had blood on her bed and the blood clot looked bigger and was coming out the side of her little mouth. Some of the clot came out but I still see part of the clot still there and she has new blood spots on her bed from time to time. Do I need to be worried or is this normal? From what I’ve read it seems like it’s best to leave the clot alone for it to heal on it’s on
Hi Sherry,
I understand your concern for your little pup and this bleeding she is experiencing since her dental cleaning. Without examining her myself, it is hard to know if there is cause for worry or if things will resolve with more time. I think it would be best to contact your vet and tell them about this complication. They can decide if your girl needs to be rechecked and give you advice on home care. Hoping your sweet girl is healing well and wishing you all the best for a full recovery.
My 12 year old chihuahua mix, Charlie just had 16 teeth extracted yesterday, and so far he is healing up wonderfully. Just within 24 hours he seems much happier, obviously in less pain, and already begging for table scraps at the dinner table, (which he did not get). My only advice to someone suffering from the same fears I did is this… I wish I would have done it months ago. I feel guilty that I allowed my fears to impact his quality of life. I was so nervous he wouldn’t wake up after the procedure, or that something would go horribly wrong, but here he is, sound asleep on my lap, perfectly content.
Hi Nicki,
I’m thrilled to hear that Charlie is feeling so great after his dental and extractions. It really is amazing what a difference it can make for some dogs. Thank you for sharing your story and for the words of wisdom for other dog parents in a similar situation. I hope that in time the guilt you feel fades. It is scary to think about putting your beloved senior pet under anesthesia, so I understand your initial hesitation.
I hope Charlie keeps doing well and you get to make many more memories together.
My 11 year old westie, Lily, already had 12 teeth out 2 years ago. She had a respiratory attack when coming round from the anaesthetic, we very nearly lost her but she pulled through.
Sadly, the same vets have advised she needs more teeth out, she scratches at her chin and also licks a lot, she has bad breath which is why we got her checked out in the first place.
I am genuinely petrified to put her through this again, but I also don’t want her to live in pain.
I have no idea if the dental procedure is necessary or if she even is in pain. as she still eats her hard food, dental sticks, treats and everything else with no issues. She still plays with toys and seems happy. I don’t want to put her through this and potentially lose her if her teeth are causing no pain. The vets advised they couldn’t say if she would be in pain or not as dogs are good at hiding it.
What do I do?
Hi Leanne,
I understand your concern for Lily and how scary anesthesia can be. You are right to be cautious especially since she had some complications after her last anesthetic event. Is there a way your vet could take some dental x-rays to get an idea of how bad the teeth are? Don’t forget you can ask for a consultation with a dentistry specialist if needed. I like to rely on their expert opinion when dealing with more complicated cases. Also, it could be helpful to talk to your vet and get more details on the respiratory attack that happened previously. Your vet may be able to change up their anesthesia protocol to prevent it from happening again or there might be precautions that could be put in place to reduce the risks of another attack. I do like to try and treat dental issues before they turn into big problems. So, if your vet is thinking extractions are needed, you will probably end up having to make a decision at some point even if you postpone it for now. Ultimately, you have to go with your intuition and do what you think is best for your pup. Praying for a positive outcome for Lily and wishing you both the best.
I would consult with a dental specialist over an ordinary vet. Bluepearl has dental specialist. They are more qualified. Also be sure they hydrate your dog before, after and during the procedure.
My chorkie is 11 years old. Has tartar build up so bad that teeth are loose. Vet said she needs teeth extracted and a cleaning. She also has a mass on her back that she is going to remove, as well as two warts on her lips AND she is going to get spayed. She wants to do the spay so that it helps prevent cancer. Am I crazy for doing this? I am so scared. Last time she was supposed to have the surgery, I couldn’t do it and I turned the car around half way there. Vet said shes in good health. She had blood work done yesterday and still waiting for the results. I am just a nervous wreck right now
Hi Stephanie,
I understand your hesitation to have all these procedures done at once. There are pros and cons for every situation and as long as you are making an informed decision, I am not sure there is a wrong choice here. The negative aspect of having multiple surgeries done at the same time is your girl may be painful in several areas of her body and the anesthesia time will be longer. The benefits are there will only be ONE anesthetic event instead of multiple and once recovery is over you are finished! I am glad you had lab work done and hope it comes back with great results. Praying for peace of mind and comfort with your decision.
our 10yr GSD has an abcess. given antibiotics and pain relief. vet says jaw bones compromised. but wishes to remove teeth. also said we need to decide if it’s worth it at his age ??
he runs around like a puppy.
what can we expect from having his teeth extraction with compromised jaw bones ?
Hi Mrs. Denise,
I am sorry you are facing such a difficult situation with your senior Shepherd. The risk of extracting teeth from a compromised jawbone is there is the potential for causing a jaw fracture. Without examining your boy myself, I can’t make specific conclusions and would not know if the benefits are worth the risks. I encourage you to ask about a consultation with a veterinary dentistry specialist. They have tons of experience dealing with more complicated cases and can give you guidance on how to proceed for your pup. Wishing you all the best and praying for a positive outcome.
My dog, Hal, 13 years old, had several teeth extracted yesterday. He has a heart murmur, so the vet was extremely careful with the anesthesia. He made it through thank goodness! However, he still hasn’t eaten. He won’t even go near his food, or if I put it in my hand, he won’t eat it. It’s soft/wet food. I’m supposed to give him pain medication and antibiotics with food, but if he’s not eating the food, should I still give the medicine to him? It’s oral medication.
Thanks for any advice.
Hi Rob,
I am glad your senior guy made it through his dental procedure and is back home recovering. You should definitely reach out to your vet with this concern. They need to know Hal isn’t feeling his best and is avoiding his food. I usually will have my clients go ahead and give the pain medication even if their dog isn’t eating. Pain is the number one cause of inappetence after a surgical procedure. Your vet may advise you otherwise, but I feel like it is worth discussing. Hoping your sweet boy will start feeling better soon. Good luck!
Thank you! He’s doing much better now, eating more, and has been receiving his medication.
Hi Rob,
This is great news! Hoping Hal will continue to improve and make a full recovery. Thank you for the update!
Have the Vet give you an RX for Science Diet Urgent care food. It’s a mush wet food. My dog just went through full extraction and gobbled the food from day 2. I continued the food until day 14 then watered her reg kibble.
Good luck with your furry friend
August 21, I took my 13 year old Chihuahua to pull out two of her tooth 24 hours after that she started breathing fast, and today she still breathing fast. Vet told me she has high blood pressure. She’s not eating just drinking a lot of water. She can’t stand strong. I don’t know what to think no more, is she suffering, is she going to die, I’m a mess ,
Dear Ivette,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and these recent health problems she is facing. Without examining your dog, myself, it is hard to make specific recommendations. It would be a good idea to have her evaluated by your vet if they have not seen her since the dental procedure. It is also ok to contact a specialist or get a second opinion if you have lingering concerns or questions. I hope your sweet girl can stabilize and her quality of life can be restored. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Hi, my 12 tr old Papillion has recently had 7 teeth extracted and had a dental clean at the same time and he went from being very much in pain poor love to being a very happy dog again. 2-3 weeks later, he got ill again – another high temperature, stopped eating so I suspected another infection because very similar symptoms as before. Maybe the holes where his teeth were have got infected again. Back to vets and he’s now back on antibiotics and starting to get better again but he keeps licking his paws and rubbing his cheeks. Like a lot, like he’s really itchy or sore. He won’t let me look. It’s very worrying. – is this normal and just a sign that everything is healing or should I be worried? Thanks, Clare
Hi Clare,
I understand your concern for your senior guy. His pawing at his cheeks has me suspicious there is something going on that still needs to be investigated further. Did you pup have dental x-rays performed? If not, I would highly recommend discussing this with your vet. Hoping all is well today and your sweet boy has made a full recovery. Wishing you both the best of luck!
My 13 year old westie had 15 teeth removed at her last dental in July after a few days she started pawing at her face and hasn’t stopped we returned to the vet who thought some root may have been left so she had another procedure and had 2 further teeth removed (she has just 2 left) it has now been 4 weeks and there has been no improvement and she came round from her procedure now deaf in both ears our vet has no answers for us. We are devastated – do you have any thoughts please?
Hi Mandy,
Goodness I am so sorry for all your sweet girl has endured. What you describe has me puzzled and I am not sure I would know what to do myself. It might be a good idea to reach out to a veterinary dentistry specialist. Has your girl had dental x-rays performed? I am suspicious there could be something wrong with the underlying bone in the jaw leading to the discomfort your pup is experiencing. Deafness can sometimes be a rare side effect of certain medications but usually will resolve some on its own. I truly think I would defer to a specialist in this situation (possibly internal medicine?). I am hopeful you can find some answers and applaud you for continuing to advocate for your senior girl. Wishing you both the best and praying for a positive outcome.
My 13 year old bichon mix had 18 teeth removed in November and also developed deafness in both ears. My vet had only had one other case where this happened. We are still hoping his hearing returns, even just a little bit! He is much “noisier” since the surgery, Funny, snorkel noises and snores loudly.
Hi Meri,
I am sorry your little guy has developed some hearing loss since his dental procedure last November. Glad he still seems to be in good spirits, and you are making the most of his new quirky sounds. Best wishes and take care!
My senior dog also is 2 weeks into healing and not better. Pawing her cheeks and gums every second. It’s terrible, I’d have rather taken my chances not doing the teeth extractions. Not sure what they can do now. The vet seems at a loss and upping pain meds more and more.
Dear Andrea,
I am so sorry your girl is painful and having complications since her dental procedure. Please don’t hesitate to ask your vet for a referral or to schedule a consultation with a dentistry specialist. They have tons of experience managing complicated cases and may have some good ideas about how to proceed. Hoping you can find a way to restore your pup’s quality of life. Wishing you all the best and praying for a positive outcome.
Interestingly I myself suffered deafness in one ear for about 3 months prior to having a wisdom tooth removed. It seemed to be causing nerve damage. After 3 months or so it returned. Perhaps it’s something similar?
Worst case scenario; 11 year old male, 15 pounds, full set extraction, currently presenting with gum regression and visualization of jaw bone. The dog will have to be put down? Save his life via extraction $1,500? $3,000? More?
Hi Bradley,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation. I am not sure what the best course of action would be for your senior guy. What is your vet recommending? Extractions and a thorough dental cleaning can be nothing short of a miracle for dogs. But I also know that in some cases, saying goodbye can be the most loving option. If you are conflicted on how to proceed, you can always request a consultation with a veterinary dentistry specialist. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make a decision you can feel confident in. Wishing you both the best.
I have a 16 year old Pomeranian whose teeth are in pretty bad condition. I haven’t brought her in because at 16 years old I don’t know if I would be ok with having her endure anesthesia and an oral surgery. Her teeth don’t seem to bother her, she still eats and begs for food. I feel like a terrible dog mom but I just don’t want to put her through any stress. Am I wrong for not taking her to the vet?
Hi Noelle,
I understand your concern with anesthesia and how that might affect your senior girl. I do think it would be best to have her evaluated by your vet. Even if a dental procedure is not an option, there could be other things your vet would recommend that might greatly improve your dog’s oral health. Be honest with your vet and discuss your worries and goals for your girl’s quality of life. I am certain you can partner together to make sure your sweet girl’s senior years are full of joy and comfort. Wishing you all the best of luck!
Dear Dr. Buzby,
Thank you for this article and I came from your other article about senior dogs and anesthesia. I have an 17 year old poodle/bichon mix, and he’s doing surprisingly excellent for his age. However, in the past week or so, he has had really intense chattering of his teeth which we and his vet have attributed to his dental issues (he had most of his teeth pulled over 5 years ago but the one’s left are in bad shape and we now know are very much bothering him). We took him to the vet today, and they began talking about putting him down, which broke our hearts. Since he has heart disease, we were told that he can’t be put under anesthesia anymore. Upon his checkup today, they told us based on X-rays his heart has not progressed to heart failure yet. It is also my priority that he not be in pain, but he continues to have high energy levels, a big appetite, and seems generally very happy. Before his chattering in the last couple of days, he was still walking 2-3 miles on his walks. I can’t reconcile that our only option is to put him down when he seems to be so happy, with his teeth being the only real issue here. He was prescribed some different pain medications for now from the vet as we thinking about next steps. We are thinking to take him to the cardiologist again to get a more updated idea of where his heart condition is at to see if we really can’t get his teeth extracted. Any advice or thoughts you have for us would be much appreciated.
Hi Ann,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior guy. It sounds like you are headed in the right direction and are thinking along the same lines as I would with one of my own. I agree the first step is to get the cardiologist’s approval for anesthesia. If they think the dental procedure is possible, I would consider going forward with the extractions. If this is something your vet is uncomfortable with, you can always ask for a referral to a veterinary dentistry specialist. Of course, there are always risks and no procedure is guaranteed to be without complications. Since your sweet boy is still full of life and otherwise happy, I too would struggle with the thought of choosing euthanasia at this point. Praying all goes well and hoping for a positive outcome. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Hi Ann,
Just wondering what the outcome was with your 17 year old Pup? We are going through the same thing with our 17 year old dog and of course I want to make the best choice for our girl.
Thanks
I am also wondering the same for our fur baby who is 17 years old too. 🙂
Our 13 year old tsuh zu has a history of gastrointestinal problems and her platelets drop. Once so low she needed transfusion.
Ewhat should playlets read to be safe to possibly have all her teeth removed.
Hi Direen,
I understand your concern with anesthesia and your senior pup’s history of platelet problems. I am not sure what level your pup would need to achieve for your vet to be comfortable with proceeding with a dental procedure. Each lab that evaluates blood work for dogs has a reference rage that is considered “normal”. One of the more common reference labs used in the U.S. is IDEXX. According to IDEXX’s reference lab, the normal range for platelets in a dog should be somewhere between 143-448 K/uL. I hope this helps a bit. If you have any lingering questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. Best wishes and good luck!
The worst thing that happened with our older Yorkie mix was that he lost his smile ! It may be a nervous tic, but a lot of yorkies smile at people ….and they love it!
He was a rescue and had several serious health problems .Probably older than they said. He has passed away now at close to 13 and we miss him dearly.
Hi Jen,
I love it when these little guys smile! I know you miss your sweet pup but what a blessing to have shared 13 years together. May his memory live on and stay with you always. ♥
Our 11 year old dog had a cleaning and tooth extraction when he was about 8 years old which resulted in severe thrombocytopenia (we did blood work beforehand and his levels were just barely normal and he needed the procedure, so we went ahead with it). We almost lost him, but they were able to stabilize him with meds and we were then able to wean him off everything within about 8 months. He’s been in remission since, but I think he might need another extraction (or at least a thorough cleaning). Can this be accomplished with his history of thrombocytopenia following a previous extraction (maybe by premedicating or using a different type of anesthesia)? Thanks for your time!
Hi Mindy,
I’m so glad to hear that your dog’s thrombocytopenia stabilized and he has been in remission. That must have been so scary, and I can definitely understand your concern with doing another dental procedure. Without being able to look at his medical records and examine him, it is difficult for me to say with any certainty what the safest course of action would be. Unfortunately, all of the causes of immune-mediated-thrombocytopenia/ITP (which is what I am assuming he had based on your description) are not well understood yet. This makes it difficult to predict what might trigger a relapse. Dental care is definitely important, so I would suggest scheduling a consultation at a university hospital or specialty clinic where the different groups (internal medicine, anesthesia, and dentistry) can all work together to formulate the best plan for your dog. Best of luck to you and him! I hope you are able to find a safe way for him to have the extraction and/or cleaning.
I need advice! My puggle is 13.5 years old with liver tumors. She gets an ultrasound every 6 months and is in dire need of a dental cleaning and I am sure she may need one or two extractions. Can she have such have this procedure done? I don’t want to do the wrong thing!
Hi Robin,
I am glad you are having your dog’s liver closely monitored. She is a lucky girl to have someone like you advocating for her health and well-being. Without examining your dog, myself, I can’t make specific recommendations about anesthesia. Situations like this are common with senior dogs and they often do just fine with dental procedures. It really depends on what your vet recommends. Once they do the necessary pre-operative lab work and testing, if the results are favorable, your girl may be a good candidate for anesthesia despite her other chronic issues. Please make sure your vet is aware of your concerns and voice any lingering questions you may have. You want to feel as comfortable as possible with whatever decision you make. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Wishing you both the best for a successful dental procedure and many happy days ahead.
1. Is My Dog Too Old For Anesthesia?
2. Is My Dog Too Old for Surgery?
I just had my cattledog/chow mix’s teeth removed, I feel so bad tho, he has dry socket on 2 of this front canines and the vet is closed for 4 days bc of a blizzard and Xmas, and all the emergency vets are 1.5 hrs away and I can’t get to them w the ice. I wanna warn people just to watch out for popped stitches and openings in the wound, even if your dog hasn’t touched them the licking can do it… (He’s on antibiotics and a doggy nsaid until I can get him over when they open)
Hi ghost,
I am so sorry your boy is having these painful complications when veterinary care is just out of reach. Glad you had some pain meds to help try and keep him comfortable until the ER reopened. How are things today? Hoping all is well and he has made a full recovery.
My 8 year old Chihuahua who is 6 pounds had dental surgery 5 days ago with 2 extractions and cleaning. She was eating well, playful, showed no signs of being in pain before the extractions. Today is day 5 post surgery, I have to encourage her to eat and she eventually does after much encouragement, she barely will drink anything, we used to take long walks, now she can’t go very far without sitting down and I have to pick her up and carry her home. Ive followed all instructions on the paper I was given, she had 3 once a day doses of Metcam which she took. I spent so much money on the surgery that I have to wait until next month before I can take her back to the vet as I’m on a fixed monthly income. My dog is now isolating herself away from me, she is urinating and having bowel movements, however, she isn’t the same dog anymore. She had an antibiotic shot after the surgery, I’ve examined her mouth and see no swelling or redness or bleeding. I just feel terrible because she was perfectly fine and never showed any signs of pain or not eating or drinking and was active and playful before the surgery. I have read by now that she should be back to normal, today is day 5, I wish I hadn’t had this done. Ive stayed awake with her several nights trying to comfort her but she walks away from me and goes on her own. If I just put her food out, she will not eat it unless I encourage her non stop, Ive been a using a syringe to give her Pedialyte every hour to help keep her hydrated. I’m just at a loss, I feel like I’ve failed her by having this done because she just has no interest in anything anymore.
Dear Charlotte,
I understand your concerns over these behavior changes in your Chihuahua. Since I haven’t examined her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. I am wondering if your pup was starting to show signs of early dementia prior to her dental procedure. Sometimes anesthesia can cause dementia to worsen or progress. I know a follow up vet visit is not an option at this time due to financial limitations but think this is probably the only way to get some answers. How is your sweet girl feeling today? Has there been any improvement? I hope you can get her examined by your vet soon and am praying for good news. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Wishing you both the best.
My Mini Pin, “Diego” is 13 years old. He has always been a good eater and never leaves kibble in his bowl. One evening he did not want to eat. I began to pet him and found his skin was hot to the touch. I took him to emergency and found he had 104 degree temperature. After they did blood work, they discovered his liver values were off the charts. They kept him overnight to try and bring his fever and liver values down. They were successful in bringing his fever down but not his liver values. After taking him to his normal veterinarian, he determined something he ate messed up his liver pretty bad. We found bird feathers in his dog bed, and figured he got hold of a bird. This happened 3 months ago. Since then, we’ve had to change his diet, and put him on a bunch of medication to help his liver recover. His doctor has done 3 more blood workups only to find his liver values have only come down slightly. He wasn’t sure what was causing Diego’s compromised liver. Now, forward to today; Diego came in from outside yesterday, and started rubbing his face on the carpet and pawing at his mouth. I thought I saw a string from one of chew toys in his mouth, but before I could yank it away, he had swallowed it, (so I thought). I took him to his veterinarian where they did x-rays, and an endoscopy. They had to put him under in order to look in his mouth, and decided his teeth needed to be cleaned as well, (which they did). Turns out Diego had 4 impacted and infected teeth which had to be yanked out.. I only wish I had understood the signs he was exhibiting sooner: rubbing his face on the carpet, pawing/scratching at his muzzle. I’m looking forward to his next bloodwork up to see if his liver values have come down to within a normal range. Thank you Dr. Burney and staff!!!
Hi Karen,
I am so glad you have such a wonderful partnership with your veterinarian! What a blessing they were able to discover the dental issues and address them quickly the same day. I am very hopeful you will see some improvements in Diego’s lab work when his liver values are rechecked. If you have a chance, please leave us an update once you get results. Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Wishing you and Diego both the best! ♥
My min schnauzer is 16.5 yrs. He has a tooth on bottom behind canine that is rotten, canine has a little hole at base and some bottom incisors are loose. He’s only had about 4 teeth extracted in life. For the past year, I’ve had 3 vets tell me he’s too old for anesthesia. He has a 4/6 murmur, had echo a year ago no required drugs, BUN is a little elevated, degenerative muscle loss in lower back, wears toe grips which really help. I believe because of the tooth he drools on that side while eating and sometimes gags – clear drool. I’ve been brushing 1-2xs daily and clean with an oral rinse….suggestions?
Hi Donette,
I understand the difficult position you are in with your little pup. While there may be reasons that anesthesia is not safe for your dog, age alone should not be one of them. Different vets are more or less comfortable with certain anesthesia events and procedures. If you want an expert opinion about your dog’s teeth, I highly recommend you schedule a consult with a veterinary dentistry specialist. They have tons of experience dealing with complicated cases. If the specialist says your boy is not a good candidate for anesthesia, then they will recommend the next best treatment option. You are doing a great job with the daily brushing and oral rinse. Thank you for the positive feedback about the ToeGrips. Keep up the good work!