Devastated I feel like I've failed my dog

[Saylorvie]

My 3 year old doggy went into the vets to have his teeth cleaned and came out with five teeth removed when he was a pup a doctor said if he only eats dry food we don't need to brush his teeth, he has never had wet food (we tried countless, he only ever wants to eat dry food - and stones and cardboard ) but his teeth were so rotten they have been removed. He's curled up on my lap recovering from the anaesthesia and I'm crying. I feel so guilty. I feel like I've been so caught up with my toddler, my newborn, my divorce, and I've failed him.

Am I over reacting? Or is this really bad? He gets cuddles and walks everyday, he's so loved

What breed op? We have Lurchers and vet said bad teeth are common. Ddog had 10 out 2 years ago! She had a poor life before she came to us.. Maybe pot luck like with humans!!

Mine had 13 removed! She was a rescue so different story. But she’s happy despite only a few teeth left and she’s not in pain.

FWIW I only feed wet food and don’t have the issue. I think finding certain chew toys like antlers are going to be best.

Please don't feel bad. My dog is 12 (getting towards the max age range for her breed) I have never cleaned her teeth, (I got them done professionally about four months age as they looked in need of a serious clean) and she's not had to have any removed. Just like people, I'm sure some dogs are more susceptible to teeth problems than others.

I'm surprised the vet hadn't noticed this on his checkups before it got to this stage at only 3. how regularly do you look at his teeth to see how they're doing?

This is why I feel so bad I googled it possibly to make myself feel better and all I saw were links about poor rescues having to have teeth out. Not supposedly well looked after family pets

He's a King Charles.

I've never cleaned my 8 yr old dog's teeth. He doesn't like the dental chews. It's just bad luck.
I do raw feed which is supposed to be better for teeth.

Could it be snacks that are affecting his teeth, do you think? Or does he chew something too hard?

It happens, a lot depends on breed I think. My poor 14 year old only has 10 teeth left and that’s despite him only having dry food and me brushing them.

@Saylorvie don’t forget the power of genes. Some humans are predisposed to certain issues and so are some dogs! It’s obviously not as well researched but it absolutely doesn’t mean that it was anything you could have done.

A quick google shows King Charles breed is susceptible to teeth problems more than other breeds!

I used to be a vet nurse. same as with people, sometimes it's just down to genetics or just bad luck. Honestly, he will be fine and you have done nothing wrong

He got overweight for a while, we didn't realise how he was picking up that my toddler dropped. He's slimmed down a lot now, nearly back at the size he should be. We've totally cut the toddler snacks. He has rice bones and dental chews a lot.

You’ve not done anything wrong, he’s just obviously not got great teeth naturally. It shines out of your post that you love him and look after him.

Thank you. Feeling a little less guilty. He's feeling so sorry for himself tonight I think I'll probably cry again though

Don't feel guilty he'll be fine, they often have overcrowded mouths and are prone to early onset dental disease. If you can find the time, consider starting brushing them going forward.

I had a CKCS who had the worst teeth. He ended up having most of them out. My JR is treated in exactly the same way and has excellent teeth. Sometimes it's just bad luck.

One thing though - there's some evidence that the dental chews can actually make teeth problems worse. It may be worth looking into other options. Mine gets raw bones (supervised)

Please don’t give antlers.

They cause a huge amount of broken teeth, and don’t have any cleaning ability.

OP it's not your fault. Some dogs are prone to bad teeth. One of mine has terrible teeth and has lost two as a result. Every other dog we've had has had strong teeth with no signs of decay. Like people, they're all different, so don't beat yourself up about it

Don’t beat yourself up. Cavaliers are prone to bad teeth.

Unfortunately many commercial dental chews are full of sugar and not great for the teeth - but don't beat yourself up for not knowing that, many owners have no idea.

Going forward I would switch to low-fat natural chews. I give things like beef trachea, buffalo skin, buffalo ears etc. as low fat, long lasting chews for teeth cleaning.

I also put a product called "plaque off" in his food. I'm not sure if that would work if he only eats dry but it made a huge difference to my beagles' teeth!

My mum had 4 King Charles and they’ve all had bad teeth despite her doing everything she should have been doing - and they’ve all been prone to putting on weight (they’re like little hoovers and will snuffle out every little thing dropped on the floor / grab whatever they can eat on a walk….!) I think it’s the nature of the breed and down to genetics to a large extent. Don’t feel bad. These things happen.

For him to need that doing at 3 means there’s not much you could have done about it, he’s got dodgy teeth.

I had a CKCS who had horrid teeth, we brushed them, got them all the chews and toys recommended to keep them clean and yet every time we went to the vet it seemed like he needed another one out.

You should be brushing the teeth. I think your vet gave bad advice there.

Cavalier teeth, it's a thing with the breed. I am a vet nurse and own 3 Cavaliers. Don't beat yourself up about it.

Don't feel guilty. The important thing is that you've taken him to the vet for the treatment he needs. He'll be fine and you clearly love him. He's a lucky dog

Dental chews are spectacularly bad for dogs no matter what the packaging says.

Don’t beat yourself up though, sometimes these things just happen.

My 13 year old lab retriever cross has just had 5 teeth out, and although he’s older it’s just one of those things.

He’s a retired guide dog so has no snacks, very few fatty or sugary treats, and generally just his food, and still he ended up with dental disease.