So yesterday was tooth cleaning day for the puppies at the vet. This is not like a dental cleaning for you and me. Doggie dentals consist of full up anesthesia (well - would you want to stick you hand in a dog's mouth and try to scrape off plaque while they were still alert and feisty?) complete with all the potential dangers thereof. Dropping them off I managed to hold it together, barely. (Cassi has had this done once before and I cried so much people in the waiting room assumed we were putting her down.) Though I managed to fret about it for most of the day as I waited for the vet to call and let me know how they were.
When she finally called to let me know they were fine and in recovery (huge relief - thanks for your prayers!) she did have to mention that each of them had to have teeth extracted. You know, because we don't brush their teeth like we're supposed to.
Bad, bad doggie mommy.
The vet assured me that Shelties are prone to bad teeth anyway (ok, sure, tell me this now rather than when I have the puppy so I can try and develop good habits) and not to worry about it. Just to try and start brushing their teeth after they heal (approx. 2 weeks) and evaluate whether they need dental cleanings yearly. Um. $1100 yearly? (Am I an even worse doggy mommy for really not being excited about paying that every year for tooth cleanings? And why is it that you can't claim a dog as a dependent on your health insurance again?)
So...when they've healed up, those girls are getting their teeth brushed every dang day if it means I have to make a chart and give myself stickers. In the mean time, have you ever tried giving oral medication to a dog to help with her pain and inflammation when, oh, by the way, the pain and inflammation is in her mouth? Yeah, neither of them are super psyched about you reaching for their muzzle, which makes administering the dropperful of liquid medicine challenging (to say the least). Sadly, explaining how it's good for them and will make them feel better doesn't seem to make a dent.
On the up side, both Cassi and Meg were delighted this morning when we left for work and didn't take them with us.
3 days ago
Wow...$1,100 is a lot!! When we took Smokey in for a cleaning (and 3 extractions...and still, we don't brush his teeth...bad parents!) and hip x-rays, bloodwork, etc., I think that was $1,000 which I thought was a lot. We signed up for an annual "package" that includes the annual cleaning and all basic care and I think that's only $450/year. You might see if your vet offers such a deal?
ReplyDeleteI understand the concerns about the anesthesia...we were disheartened when we picked him up and he could barely stand, still drowsy from the drugs, mouth sore and hips in pain and wobbly...in other words, he was much worse off than when we dropped him off! I cried.
Gwynne, it was at least for 2 (so...~$600 per dog) but yeah, still felt a little sting in the pocket. I'll have to ask the vet about a package deal - I like that idea! :) Though I suspect if they had such a thing they'd've mentioned it. Still, very cool idea.
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only doggie mom sobbing in the waiting room though!