Homer's tooth

[JES72]

We notices last week that Homer's large upper molar was't looking to good. I took him to the vet today to have it looked at. It's got a crack and a chip but isn't causing any pain and it isn't infected so we are to just keep a close eye on it. It's his upper molar so a bit harder to check on.
Homer was an angel as always at the vet. Not our usual vet as she is on maternity leave.

He was really impressed with how well we've looked after Homer and the good condition he is in. I was impressed because he'd read Homer's notes on all his anxiety issues and meds and commented on how calm he was.

 

[MellowYellow]

Oh dear, those upper molars are so huge as well...

 

[JES72]

Thats why I wanted it checked out before it got any worse and would need removing. The vet said that dogs teeth grow a film over a crack to help seal it and that unless it got infected and wasn't causing pain to leave it. I love our vets.

 

[Charlie]

Do you think Homer might end up having that tooth removed eventually? xx

 

[JES72]

Eventually, I think so. But if we can keep it for as long as we can that would be better. He's already knocked out one of his front incisors and his canine teeth are a bit worn down. At least I can prepare myself for the eventual trauma, if necessary. Although he's he's eight now, he isn't an old toothless dog yet.

 

[Charlie]

Aww bless you Homer you're gorgeous. Try not to worry until the time comes, easier said than done, I know xx

 

[Natalie]

Monty had a cracked upper molar when he went for his annual booster last year. The first vet said he would probably have to have it out. Then we got it checked again, maybe a month later, and the second vet said it was fine to leave alone, and touch wood, it hasn't been an issue. We will double check again this year. Maybe he grew that film over it as you mentioned @JES72 .

 

[JES72]

Luckily Homer always thinks that a trip to the vet is worth the money spent. He certainly gets his moneys worth in tummy rubs and treats!
Funnily enough my brother thinks the same thing happens to his teeth. He never goes to the dentist, once when he did go he was told he'd need fillings but he never went back to get the fillings done, many years later his wife persuaded him to go to the dentist and they said nothing about him needing fillings. He's convinced his teeth sorted themselves out.

 

[Oberon]

That is a big chunk off his tooth. The dentin is exposed (the yellowish bit) meaning it’s sensitive to touch, cold, heat etc if the nerve still has any function. Looks like the pulp is also exposed (the dark spots) which means that there is a risk of infection as there is nothing protecting the tooth’s nerve and blood supply. Homer may have shown no reaction because the nerve is already dead. Either way, it’s a big infection risk. I don’t know why the vet would say he’d grow a film over it that’d protect it. That’s simply not true, unfortunately I’d be getting an opinion on Homer’s tooth from a veterinary dentist.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I would get it taken out ASAP. A tooth infection which we couldn't clear had serious implications for Moo.

 

[Shamas mom]

I'd get ready to take it out too. Shamas had his tooth like that, and it was only a matter of days from the point of "yes, he has a minor slab fracture, perhaps we'll save up and root canal, so he can keep that healthy tooth" to "Can anyone get him in to get this tooth out please? It's HURTING him!"

We first noticed it in November, and we had it out in January/February, if I recall the timeline?? It took that long because we had trouble funding the procedure and finally got a line of credit to cover it. But from the time it hurt to the time it came out was less than a week. For those couple of months, he didn't show any irritation until cold weather hit us. Clearly the tooth was sensitive

The trouble with pulling a healthy canine tooth is the time it takes. Shamas was under for 111minutes while they cut his healthy tooth into 4 pieces and removed it.

 

[Oberon]

Canines have a massive root....

 

[Shamas mom]

Canines have a massive root....

Yes, it's a lot of work to get them out. And about 1500dollars. Not all vets are equipped to do it.

 

[SwampDonkey]

It's specialist surgery a very big job. We got Moos out but it had already caused kidney problems. She lived for 6 months more but the damage done by the tooth infection and her inability of her kidneys to tolerate any anti biotics meant she died of sepsis. She had no strength to fight the infection and we couldn't find any drugs to help her.

 

[Candy]

I still remember that. Moo the Mighty and Magnificent was probably my first introduction to this forum (formerly The Other Place) and she was part of what let me know that I was in exactly the right place for Joy and me, and here we still Veryvery happily are. Dog bless dear Moo.xxx

 

[SwampDonkey]

Miss her everyday that cheeky little face peeping round the door at me when I got in from work. Worst dog ever best dog ever

 

[Shamas mom]

It's specialist surgery a very big job. We got Moos out but it had already caused kidney problems. She lived for 6 months more but the damage done by the tooth infection and her inability of her kidneys to tolerate any anti biotics meant she died of sepsis. She had no strength to fight the infection and we couldn't find any drugs to help her.

We lost a cat due to the infection in her teeth damaging her kidneys too. That's why I err on the side of early removal. I'd rather take out a tooth before it's infected than risk organ damage.

 

[Candy]

Miss her everyday that cheeky little face peeping round the door at me when I got in from work. Worst dog ever best dog ever View attachment 22135

The most troublesome dogs ever are always the best dogs ever. They're the ones who touch our hearts the most . Thinking of Moo and you tonight as I sit here with my sometimes troubled girl.
Pee Ess, not troubled now though. As peaceful as dear Moo is in your picture.

 

[JES72]

Homer has certainly been a troublesome dog who has needed a lot of care and attention.
it doesn’t seam to be bothering him and I don’t know how long it’s been like that. He was biting down on a chuck it ball last night on both sides, not favouring one side last night.
the vet did give us a quote to have it taken out for £600. The cost isn’t a concern, it’s more about putting him through the operation And missing a major tooth.
I’ll keep my eye on him and see if we can take him to a vet dentist.

 

[Oberon]

Dogs are really good at hiding significant pain, carrying on with normal behaviours...

We really have to treat injuries to dog teeth the same way we’d treat similar injuries to our own teeth... Unfortunately, non-specialist vets often don’t know much about teeth and wrongly suggest a wait and see approach - something a GP would never recommend for a human in the equivalent situation. So it’d be great to seek out a specialist opinion. Ask about the prospect of a root canal, which would remove all pain and infection risk while saving the tooth.