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Original poster

Dog with broken tooth

23 replies

girlsyearapart · 09/03/2010 07:52

Hi all,

my nearly 9yo Staffie has snapped his bottom fang-like tooth so it is now the same height as the other smaller teeth and is grey on one side.

He is apparently oblivious to it, I only found it on a routine teeth check.

Took him to vet who initially was 50-50 on taking it out but then said as it is not sensitive they will leave it.

Apparently the op to remove it would be quite a major one as the root will be healthy.

Anyway just wanted to know if anyone else has been in similar situation and can he carry on indefintely with his tooth like that..

Thanks.

OP posts:
beautifulgirls · 09/03/2010 10:37

As a vet I disagree with your vet. It should be removed before it causes a root abscess, which is a very likely consequence in the longer term. If you look at the broken tooth you will see either a hole or dark spot in the middle of the broken surface - this is the pulp cavity and is a direct route down to the base of the tooth. In time it is likely that bacteria will track down this and set up infection. By the time this causes a visible problem the bone around the tooth will be diseased and the risk of a fracture at the time of tooth removal is high. Your vet is right though, removing lower canine teeth is hard work, and if your vet is not so keen on dentistry it seems easier to leave it. Is your dog insured? If so he should be covered for a broken tooth to be removed. I would ask your vet to refer you if they are not happy to do this themself in that circumstance. At the very least your vet should have taken an xray of the root to establish if there was any change in the bone at this stage - if so then the tooth should come out sooner rather than later.
Hope that helps.

Original poster
girlsyearapart · 09/03/2010 16:52

yes you can see a dark bit on it.
We didn't have a 'proper'apt just a once over in the waiting room by the nurse who consulted the vet..

Think we'll go to the vet for a proper apt.

What are the risks for general anasthetic in a dog of his age?

Thanks for replying btw.

OP posts:
beautifulgirls · 11/03/2010 18:50

Sorry, only just come back to the thread. The GA risks in a 9 year old dog are not particularly high compared to any other dog, so long as he is in otherwise good health. The vet should give him a full check over, and may well offer blood testing prior to an anaesthetic to ensure he is healthy with regards to kidneys in particular but also check out a few other things just to ensure everything is as safe as possible. The majority of dental patients in practice will be quite elderly and it is a pretty much daily occurrence for them to be dealt with and they usually make a good recovery from anaesthetic. Some may be a little slower taking a few days to bounce back to normal, but that is only a small number.

Original poster
girlsyearapart · 12/03/2010 08:10

thanks.

Yes he insured so thankfully the money side shouldn't be an issue. I haven't noticed a difference in colour of the tooth and he is eating fine but is getting a bit more growly when I look at it.

Will book him in for next week.

OP posts:
Lizcat · 12/03/2010 18:07

If he is insured, there is another alternative you could have him referred to a veterinary dentist have the root drilled and filled, thus saving the tooth. My practice uses an two excellent dentists who have done a number of these procedures saving the need for the horrible extraction.

EccentricaGallumbits · 12/03/2010 18:19

check your insurance covers dental work. lots don't (as i found out when taking smalldog for a baby tooth out).

i have a cat with a broken tooth (and various other bits after a run in with a car) vet was happy to leave it while it wasn't bothering him and 2 years later he's still fine.

solo · 12/03/2010 18:23

My first dog had to have a couple of smashed teeth removed, both were the fangs it was a horrible time after the op, but she was fine once it was healed.

Original poster
girlsyearapart · 13/03/2010 09:27

thanks for the replies people.

The vet did mention that some plans don't cover dental... stupid insurance never covers anything you may actually need to claim for does it??

solo how did your dog do that and how long was the recovery?

OP posts:
solo · 13/03/2010 13:59

Exh was throwing stones into the sea and one didn't go as far as intended and my beautiful doggie jumped and caught it smashing at least the two fangs. I think she had one ground down a bit and the lower one removed. It was about 24 years ago and she was only about 2yo. I honestly don't remember how long her recovery was, but I do remember the foul smell from her mouth as the stitches rotted. I'm sure she was fine quite quickly, but she never carried her bowl the same way again

solo · 13/03/2010 14:04

I remember having the day off work to take her in and walking home just e and her collar and lead... I felt lost and when I collected her, she was wobbly and I cried! Pretty sure I went to work the next day and she was fine, so her recovery was good. She was a young and fiesty girl though and lived until she was 14. Still miss her

Original poster
girlsyearapart · 13/03/2010 14:06

Is that why he's EX H??

Looks worse in his mouth again today but still no probs eating. Can't even bloody remember which company he's insured with or find the policy..

vet monday I think.

OP posts:
solo · 13/03/2010 14:10

No...if only!
I would definitely get it sorted tbh, you don't want your dog in pain in the future and less willing to let anyone near the offending tooth.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 13/03/2010 17:07

Erm...I'm a vet, and my dog has had a broken lower canine since she was 2- she is now 10, and we've had no problems with it . I am reluctant to dig it out, although maybe I should have.

I wouldn't say it must come out- it is a fairly big undertaking to remove a canine, sometimes requiring bone flaps etc. Having said that I agree there is a risk of root abscess, but I do see lots of dogs with broken canines and I've never had experience of any of them developing root abscesses (just my experience, obviously!) Not saying beautifulgirls is wrong, btw!

thehillsarealive · 14/03/2010 15:51

i agree with joolyjoo - my last dog chipped the top of his canine tooth when he was young (1ish) and it was fine. He was 10 when he passed away and the tooth never troubled him once in his life.

Original poster
girlsyearapart · 15/03/2010 07:34

ooh don't know what to do now..

Will book him in as soon as vet opens for an apt this week. Keep you posted on what they say.

OP posts:
Original poster
girlsyearapart · 15/03/2010 20:08

well the update is both crap and bollocks ..

the nerve is exposed he needs the tooth out asap.

Went through all our stuff to try to find insurance but can't find it, rang bank to go through direct debits and it's not there. Think insurance has lapsed without me realising- I have so many direct debits and it was only a tenner a month or something..

I never stopped the policy so I just assumed the policy would continue but apparently they send yearly reminders. We moved 2.5 years ago so it was probably sent to the old house.

Argh I'm soooo cross with myself.

OP posts:
solo · 16/03/2010 01:09

Oh dear, I'm sorry to know that(all of that). I never had mine insured either...was expensive, but necessary. Hope doggy is ok soon.

Original poster
girlsyearapart · 16/03/2010 07:25

well the insurance has indeed lapsed but didn't cover dental anyway so I feel a little bit better..

To re insure him with the same company will be £35 a month compared to the £11 ish we were paying plus £70 excess and cos of his age would hve to pay 20% of vet fees so haven't bothered.

OP posts:
solo · 16/03/2010 13:00

Have you decided to go ahead with the surgery for him?

MrsJohnDeere · 16/03/2010 13:10

Fwiw my 7yo springer has just had a tooth out in similar circumstances and the insurance co refused my claim (even though they'd paid out for the exact same thing on another dog 3 or 4 years ago).

My dog was out of sorts for the rest of the day after he'd had the surgery but right as rain the next day. Cost about £180 (but that included an optional blood test).

Original poster
girlsyearapart · 16/03/2010 16:19

don't really have much choice have to go ahead but they have quoted £385 - without the blood test...

OP posts:
solo · 16/03/2010 16:31

Ouch!

Original poster
girlsyearapart · 22/03/2010 16:41

well update time- we took him to the RSPCA vet today and will get a date through for him to have tooth removed sometime after easter for 85-110 pounds

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