Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if vets always say dogs need a dental?

49 replies

CovidCorvid · 03/09/2021 14:17

It never used to be a thing but now it seems that everyone I know at every annual check up is told this. Obviously they're expensive and also a risk to the dog (I had a dog die having a routine dental a few years ago).

But I get if the vet is correct then it's a risk to the dog's long term health to not have it done. But I'm just not sure if I trust the vet. Friend of mine was told this 3 years ago, has never had it done and says the teeth are no worse now than 3 years ago (just a bit brown)

Is there anyway of telling if they really need doing or if they're just a bit stained? We had dogs when I was a kid and never heard of dogs having dentals....has care just improved or is it OTT?

If it needs doing I'll pay....but will be terrified of the dog dying. I'm putting off making a routine appt at the vets as I know they're going to say this.

OP posts:
sunflowerdaisies · 03/09/2021 14:32

We were always told this and we just said ok and did nothing (they had dentastix sometimes but not regularly). Don't let it stop you taking them for a check up though.

Ours both died of very old age and never showed any signs of being in any pain or discomfort from their teeth and were eating fine up until they died.

Laiste · 03/09/2021 14:38

All my pets always live to grand old ages (2 cats to 21 for eg, and our rabbit is currently 12) and while we always see the vet when they are ill and for their jabs we never get dental.

SpringersLoveSofas · 03/09/2021 14:39

Nope - my vet never suggests one, just says the dog's teeth are in good condition. (I do quickly brush his teeth daily, though).

Cabinfever10 · 03/09/2021 14:49

No. I have had dogs all my life and only ever had 1 need any dental treatment for a broken tooth (no idea how). The vet checks ddogs teeth everytime we are there

pigsDOfly · 03/09/2021 14:53

No last time my, now10 year old, dog had her yearly check up my vet said that her teeth were fine for now but we'll see how they are in a year.

She's due for her check up within the next week or so, so will see what vet says now.

Brollypackedforscottishholiday · 03/09/2021 14:54

Ddog snapped a tooth on raw pumpkin a few years ago..

Needed 10 out apparently.. £800!!
She now has a toothbrush!!

MrsElf · 03/09/2021 14:55

No - I’ve two the vet always exclaims how white and clean they look, one with slightly discoloured teeth, I’m sternly told to up the toothbrushing efforts, and one who’s on 3rd dental needed at 10 years old, but teeth always look pretty horrible even to me. All 4 get at least a whisk of the brush most days, and v similar diet/dental stick consumption…

MatildaTheCat · 03/09/2021 14:56

My dog is 13 and a couple of years ago it was suggested and I was inclined to say no but the vet said that getting it done as a one off might be a good idea while still in good health as infections and broken teeth were more difficult to treat in old dogs who were unfit for an anaesthetic.

As it happened there was, soon afterwards, a promotion to get them done for £99 which I took up. On the day they tried to talk me into paying another £100 for IV fluids as ‘he’ll be more comfortable’. They looked aghast when I said, no, just give him a drink when he wakes up 🤣🤣.

MatildaTheCat · 03/09/2021 14:58

I’d love to know how you all brush their teeth?? My boy will have none of it.

Anonaymoose · 03/09/2021 15:02

I can assure you there is not a vet or nurse in the country who enjoys doing dentals, apart from maybe the specialists. We certainly don't do them for the joy of it. Most of us are also hugely understaffed at the moment so would unlikely be advising something that doesn't need doing (someone will be sacrificing lunch to squeeze that extra dental in). Dental disease left unchecked can lead to systemic disease affecting organs such as the heart and the kidneys. That's why we recommend them.

magicstar1 · 03/09/2021 15:34

My girl has a few missing teeth at the bottom front, which were gone when we got her. Apart from that the vet says her teeth are in good condition and has never suggested any treatment. I'm in Ireland and don't know anyone who has been told to get dental treatment for their dog.

CaddieDawg · 03/09/2021 15:41

When we rescued our Ddog she was 10 and had awful teeth as a result of poor previous owner just feeding her any old scraps,she was overweight etc. They've always said to keep an eye on her as something might need doing, but given her age it's not worth the risk of doing any work unless she's off her food or in pain etc. Her teeth are awful at the back and if she doesn't have a dentastick or carrot to munch everyday her breath is a bit minging. She's 17 now though and no issues with her teeth otherwise.

Feather9 · 03/09/2021 16:14

Yes every time they have their boosters and check ups they say they need their teeth sorted
One 14 and one 12 happy healthy and are eating well so can still chew
Quoted £600 plus each
Have been telling me this for years I decline every time and say when it causes them pain I obviously will get it done they are happy healthy and eat their food
I do think it’s a vets way of easy money making

Beamur · 03/09/2021 16:18

My elderly dog has bad teeth but the vet doesn't recommend a dental because she's unlikely to survive anaesthesia. I'm supposed to brush her teeth but she's not at all co-operative!

statetrooperstacey · 03/09/2021 16:29

I’m quite shocked at these comments, surely if the vet says your animal needs a course of treatment you get it done?! Otherwise why take them? What’s the point in an annual check up if everybody just says no thanks I’m not going to bother getting this treatment done that you’ve recommended because I know better. I paid fifty fecking quid for painkillers for my gerbil so if the vet said my dog needed iv fluids to be comfortable i would pay the extra for iv fluids. And I’m skint!

Sisterlyadvice · 03/09/2021 16:30

I work in a vets, they're never done unless needed (unlike when I go to my own dentist, who regularly recommends fillings I don't need).

My boy is a rescue and had bad teeth when he came to us which I think would benefit from a clean but he's a short nosed breed and an older gent now so my lovely vet recommends against.

Seconding the PP who says we're hugely understaffed at the moment, it's crazy.

Tinkerbellfluffyboots79 · 03/09/2021 16:32

Neither of my dogs has every needed dental work. Old dog teeth were really good but it does take work to keep teeth nice. Young dog is a bit young for bad or unclean teeth but also keep them nice and look after them as it is expensive. So if I was told they needed ‘done’ I’d know it was nonsense as I check them regularly and know if they needed anything

Myrrfect · 03/09/2021 16:33

Cats too

I was recently told it was necessary and was definitely scared into it. When I double checked was it essential (he’s 14 and not sure he’d recover well from something so traumatic) and how much (as didn’t think he needed it unless it was life or death) was quoted £900. When I cancelled they said it was probably more like £400, but I’ve lost my faith in that vet really.

I’ll get a second opinion but….

VexedofVirginiaWater · 03/09/2021 16:34

Don't know about dogs, but I think this happened with my cat. One year she had a dental procedure - in the end she didn't need any extractions, they just cleaned them.

The next year the suggested the same again. I agreed but I was dubious. Part way through the procedure the vet rang and asked what the problem had been (presumably because he couldn't find one). I said there hadn't been one, but one of his colleagues said it needed to be done. He then said it was often hard to tell until they were sedated. The next time they didn't suggest it thank goodness,

Original poster
CovidCorvid · 03/09/2021 16:36

do think it’s a vets way of easy money making

This is what a friend of mine says.

I’ve actually tried registering with two different vets today as I want to change vets. I think the trust has gone with my current practice…not only over the death of the dog having a dental but there was another issue with a cat just before lock down where they did a load of unauthorised treatment and insisted on payment when I’d already come to terms with having the cat pts.

Sadly both vets aren’t taking on new clients due to a vet shortage…

OP posts:
Myrrfect · 03/09/2021 16:40

I did have two vets that I trusted utterly, and went with whatever they suggested.

But the big chain bought them out and closed their surgery…

And weirdly they never suggested dental

Hoppinggreen · 03/09/2021 16:41

Mine has just been to the vets for a non dental related issue and the vet said “ his teeth look good by the way”.
So no, not all vets.

P0ntiacBandit · 03/09/2021 16:42

Nope. The vet did say that the Dog needs his teeth brushed, that's all.

RumJerrySailorRum · 03/09/2021 16:48

Our vets, agricultural rather than domestic, have never suggested our dog needs anything doing.

I know they check them as they comment every time that his teeth are good.

Weirdly, we had this conversation recently about dentists round here, they all seem to say we need to see a hygienist. Yet my dentist has never wanted me to see theirs

ZaraCarmichaelshighheels · 03/09/2021 16:49

Must admit I wonder the same, my vet says my dogs teeth need cleaning every year, she has had them done a few times now and yet again at the last check up she apparently needs them cleaning again. My groomer cleans her teeth every month with professional equipment, her opinion is they are in good condition for a 13 year old dog and she wouldn’t risk putting her under anaesthetic, she sees 2 year old dogs with worse teeth than my dogs, However I am torn because surely my vet is more qualified to say they need cleaning but if she died during the treatment I would be devastated and what if she gets seriously ill because of plaque on her teeth? I don’t know what to do for the best.