WWYD Elderly Dog's Teeth.

[BloodyHellHarry]

Any vets around for some advice? I have a lovely old dog. She's a border collie/ terrier cross and nearly 15 years old. She's pretty much deaf now and has arthritis (she's on anti inflammatory meds for this and pain killers), but she has a good quality of life and enjoys her walks, her food and playing with her toys.

We recently changed vets and at her annual checkup and vaccination the other day, the new vet said my dog has a lot of tartar on her back teeth and will need a general anaesthetic to clean them. Our old vet said GAs for elderly dogs are risky and to be avoided. My dog doesn't have any issues with her teeth so I'm torn whether to go along with the vet or leave well alone (the vet was quite forthright and told me to book an appointment, which I did, but now I'm thinking of cancelling). If my dog died under anaesthetic having tartar removed, when her teeth aren't a problem, I'd never forgive myself. WWYD?

Some vets are out to make money. I have a 16 year old terrier and she has tartar on her teeth but no actual problems with them. I wouldn't put get through a GA for a teeth clean.

I also have an elderly dog with teeth which aren’t brilliant. A friend is a vet and recommended pet toothbrush and toothpaste, daily brushing. It has made a difference and at the last vet visit his teeth were good. Vet friend has also seen it work so well that there was no need for GA after a few months of brushing. Try it - my dog is not a fan but the toothpaste must taste ok as he tolerates it!

I'm not a vet but if your lovely old dog is eating well with no discomfort in your shoes I'd be inclined to leave well alone at such an advanced age.

My dog will be 12 years old in a few months and at the last check up I asked the vet about her teeth and was told they could probably do with a clean and polish under GA but tbh I'm also unsure if it's necessary as vet didn't push it.

This^

We discussed this very thing at vets today. Elderly lab. Vet advice was that if he needs GA for a lump removal, we will clean his teeth at same time, but otherwise not.
if it’s not a problem, the advice was don’t risk it.

Thank you for your replies. I've taken the advice of the consensus and I'm going to cancel the appointment.

@LarkRize Thanks for your post. I do brush her teeth, every other day. Her front teeth are great but I can't access the back ones as she wriggles too much! I also put Plaque Away in her water and she has a chopped carrot after her dinner which apparently helps to keep teeth clean.

@Timeforachangeisitnot Interesting. Yes, if she needed a GA for a medical issue I wouldn't hesitate. I think I'm going to be moving vets again! (only left the last one as we moved areas).

If the teeth aren’t causing her any pain then definitely don’t put her through it. My daughter is an RVN and and her practice wouldn’t do it at that age.

Thank you @CockSpadget that's interesting about your daughter's practice. I won't be going ahead with the general anaesthetic.

Agree I wouldn't either. 12 year old poodle had to have a GA for a dental as she had a tooth abscess and it was nasty. She was fine after. Other than that I wouldn't have put her under. Agree it's often about the £££s

Oh and just to add, most pet insurance policies don’t include dental, even the all singing and dancing ones. An average doggy dental would be £7-800, especially in an older animal as they will need pre op blood tests etc.

No I wouldn't. Eating and drinking as normal then there is no issue.

Odd they suggested it.

I've had a dog had GA at 13 for an eye ulcer debridement as was fine but omg whatever happens to him upset his stomach and my carpets did not make it. Poor dog.

I had a cat who died after a dental procedures.

I wouldn't risk it.