Timber needs a root canal - 2 actually

[Sib.HuskyMom]

Some of you may remember last fall when one of my dogs Timber started experiencing separation anxiety after we had returned home from a lenghty vacation with them.
He was drooling very excessivly, and kept breaking out of his wire crate (which he had previously loved), no mater what we did to try and tie it shut. After about a week of this, we came up with another solution for the dogs - we built a doggy playroom in the basement, which they love spending time in and it gives them lots of room to play during the day, without giving them full access to the rest of the house. All was good....

But lately we've been having a real hard time keeping his teeth clean. I figured it way maybe genetics - I've never heard of an 18 month old dog that needed a dental cleaning, but we figured that's what was required. I brush his teeth every night, he gets recreational bones to chew quite frequently, he's gets bones with his raw food a couple nights a week, and I've even added tarter reducer to his water dish, but nothing seemed to be helping.

So we took him into the vet and she said that he's worn off almost all the enamal on his 2 lower canine teeth. That's why we couldn't get them to look cleaner. He even has some pulp showing through, but luckily, it's still nice and pink, and doesn't show any signs of infection. The vet said by looking at the wear pattern, she'd almost guarantee it's from when he was chewing on the wire crate. (I was concerned it might have been from the bones, but she said she didn't think so).

So he's been referred to a dog dentist. (can you say $$$$). Based on the converastions our vet has had with him, he feels confident that he can save both teeth, but they will require a root canal, and probably caps.
Can you believe it? Even I've never had that kind of work done on my mouth.

Poor Timber. If he was in his senior years, I'd say just pull them. But not at 18 months. I'll do whatever I can to save them. He goes in for bloodwork tomorrow and then surgury on Tuesday.

[luckypenny]

Never heard of that in a pup so young either .

What kid of recreational bones are you giving them and what kind of bones with their meals?

[Sib.HuskyMom]

Recreational bones are usually just bully sticks, or the occasional rib, as a weekend treat. Meal bones are usually chicken thighs.
We'll have to talk to the dentist to see what Timber's limitations will be after the procedure is done.

When we were talking to our vet, she said she's definitely seen her share of tooth injuries over the years. Some from bones, some from cages, some from who knows what . From the inspection that she was able to do, she seemed pretty sure it wasn't from the bones. But we'll have a better idea after Tuesdsay, since the dentist will be able to take x-rays, and examine things a lot closer once Timber's given an anaesthetic.

[luckypenny]

In the meantime, you may want to stick to chicken breast bones as they're much softer.

Does Timber by any chance chew rocks/stones?

everything goes well on Tuesday .

[hazelrunpack]

Oh, ouch! We've had molars cracked by the occasional rock-chewing episode, but we've never had any broken canines to deal with!

for Timber on Tuesday!

[TeriM]

Eek, poor Timber . I would advise doing lots of research before shelling out the big bucks for root canals. I have heard from lots of people that there is very limited success and often the tooth needs to removed anyway . Here is an example from Patricia McConnell's blog and comments that might be helpful http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com...ctional-tooth/.

[growler~GateKeeper]

Originally Posted by Sib.HuskyMom

So we took him into the vet and she said that he's worn off almost all the enamal on his 2 lower canine teeth. That's why we couldn't get them to look cleaner. He even has some pulp showing through, but luckily, it's still nice and pink, and doesn't show any signs of infection. The vet said by looking at the wear pattern, she'd almost guarantee it's from when he was chewing on the wire crate. (I was concerned it might have been from the bones, but she said she didn't think so).

Being the lower canines it probably is from trying to open the crate, years ago I had a Sibe who could open her locked crate door by wedging a bottom canine under the latch & pulling it up - I saw her do it too.

for Timber

[mummummum]

Timber ~ toofies are a royal pain.

My galpal's two Golden's had enamel issues due to gnawing on tennis balls.

I have terrible teeth/ gums and 35 (gack!) years ago my periodontist told me to use baking soda toothpaste and rinse everyday with 5% hydrogen peroxide/ water 1:3 mix. Where my Mum had dentures by 25, I (so far) still have most of my teeth! Clearly, asking Timber to gargle and spit isn't happening but, I'm wondering, is there any thing similar for dogs, OTC or otherwise?

[Sib.HuskyMom]

Thanks for the article TeriM. An interesting read, and definitely some points to consider. I did you a bit of research before talking to the Denist too.
Considering his age, I'd like to avoid extraction at all costs. Having 2 holes that large would inevidably cause issues over the years with his lower jaw. However if that's the only option, then so be it, and we'll deal with it.
That being said, their are different levels of root canals that can be done, depending on the condition of the pulp of each tooth. We'll have to keep our paws crossed . I know there are also different types of crowns available. Anything from the usual ceramic to cast metal. Timber enjoys to chew, but he's never been a really agressive chewer. We'll just have to play it by ear I guess and make a decision.

And LP, thanks' for the tip on giving chicken breast instead. I think I'll be avoiding bones all together for the next week or so , but that might be a better option for afterwards. We'll see.

[Sib.HuskyMom]

Update:
Surgery went well this morning. Timber is now home, still pretty groggy, but has his brother to take care of him.
After much discussion, and reviewing the x-rays, we decided to go ahead with the root canals, as opposed to extraction (which was the only other option).
There were plus and minuses to both, and only time will tell the outcome. To make a long story short, we would have had a much better prognosis if he was a little older (like 3 or 4 years old) and his teeth were more mature. But because that's not the case, it leaves him very much in the grey zone. The teeth may be fine for 3 years, 8 years, or the rest of his life - only time will tell.
However DH and I decided that we at least had to give it a shot to save the teeth. If we have to eventually extract them years down the road, then so be it. At least he has them for now, althought they're a little more "stubby" than they were first thing this morning .

for a speedy post-op recovery. It's going to be a pretty quiet evening around here.

[luckypenny]

Glad the surgery went well! Hoping Timber won't be feeling to much pain .

[hazelrunpack]

for a quick recovery for Timber! Glad to hear the surgery went well!

I'm feeling very empathetic toward the sweet little Dude--I have a tooth acting up and the next course of action will be a root canal We'll have to exchange notes when it's all over!

[growler~GateKeeper]

speedy healing Timber