Chis are notorious for having dental problems. You can get some gauze, wrap it around your finger and rub/brush his teeth with that since most tooth brushes are too big for Chi's - ask your vet to show you how to do it. They would rather you practice routine oral hygiene then have your dog in for more tooth pulling!! Good luck

Agreed, Chihuahuas do seem to be prone to dental calculus. Some other breeds like my Iggie are too. My folks had a dear one who was a dental nightmare. She had numerous extractions by the time she was a little old lady. I understand why you'd question the vet removing more than what was explained to you and I think my vet would have told me before the fact after inspecting the dog's mouth there'd have been a possibility of multiple teeth being pulled, but........

If the dog is like some of mine have been, it's not always easy for the vet to do a really good oral check-up because of the dogs lack of cooperation. I'd much rather have them do whatever they decided needing done whilst the dog was under and they got a chance to have a really good look AFTER the tartar was removed. Cavities can very well be hidden under the deposits. A good deal of the expense of this procedure is the bloodwork previous (if done), and the cost of putting them under and surgical aftercare. So, you actually may have gotten a price break by getting all of them done without three separate trips around the block. Just like mazer said, ask your vet tech to show you how to do daily oral hygiene for your little fella. Bad teeth can lead to all sorts of general health problems. Taking care of their teeth is money well spent prophylactically.

If the teeth were loose, then they were causing pain and would have eventually fallen out anyway. Also if they were infected it's best to have them out. I don't inform people when I decide the teeth need to go. After all, I'm the vet and I'm the one looking in the mouth while the pet is under anesthesia, so I know what is going on and what can be saved. I save teeth when I can, but many can't.

BTW I just extracted all teeth except the 2 upper canine teeth in a dog yesterday. They were all problems for a variety of reasons. He is already eating just great. Except the owner is out more like $450 because he also needed antibiotics, pain meds, and pathology because I didn't like his jawbone. I've managed some severe dental cases and the bill has gotten close to $1000. And I am *not* a specialist- they cost much more and can do a lot more to save teeth. All I can do is yank bad ones, sometimes a specialist can do a root canal, put on caps, and other things. But they will cost significantly more...

Any toy breed dog is going to have dental problems. Brushing the teeth daily with an enzymatic toothpaste can help. Also using a dental rinse. You can certainly delay the next dental procedure by doing these things, but you'll not be able to avoid it entirely. Toy breeds are just like that.

I don't know, it was just really hard for me to believe that a 2 year old dog is already needing permanent teeth pulled. I mean at this rate, he'll be toothless by the time he's 5 years old! Meghane, I appreciate that the vet knows alot more than me, but I'd be pretty upset if I went to pick up my dog and he was totally toothless except for 2 teeth! I think a quick call to the owner should be made in such cases. Something like that really alters the look of the dog completely (can they even eat regular food anymore?), and I would be devastated if someone did that to my dog without even notifying me before hand.

Well I really want to avoid any more teeth pulling with my pup, so please, I would appreciate the names of some specific brands of these dental rinses that are effective. Meghane, do you think the gauze wiping technique I've read about does any good? I just don't think I'm gonna have the patience to brush the dog's teeth every night. I have never heard of such a thing!

whenever my dogs have had their teeth cleaned the vet has always extracted any teeth that needed to go and I appreciate that because I dont want to come back 6 months later for the same procedure when those teeth start causing problems as well. I've never expected the vet to stop during the procedure to ask my permission for it nor would I want them to. I had an old dog that had a number of teeth pulled at once, some of the front ones included and her little mouth used to look lopsided from the missing teeth but I loved her anyway :)

I definitely think it's that kind of situation where the vet has to use their own judgement on the spot, they are saving you money and your dog from further anaesthesia by doing it all at once and once a tooth starts to go bad, they cant really save it anyway so sooner or later it has to come out

jockewing there are special toothpastes for dogs which are meat flavoured and you can get a little 'brush" for dogs teeth that is like a long rubber thimble that slips over your finger and it has rubber bristles on it for cleaning the teeth so it's like sticking your finger in the dogs mouth instead of trying to wrangle a toothbrush in there which is near impossible with a small dog.

I guess I can appreciate the vet just doing it, but I would be so upset to get a toothless dog back when I go to pick him up! Especially a dog as young and seemingly healthy as mine. Thank god it was only 3 teeth.

It sounds like you were caught off guard by the additional extractions. I probably would be too on an animal so young. I have to agree that you have to just trust that the vet did the right thing for your animal once the animal was anesthetized and easy to examine.

My vet gives an up front estimate and they have a range for extractions, so they are clear that they are unsure how many teeth will need pulling once they start the dental procedure. It doesn't sound like your vet prepared you for the possibilities.

My new little cat is part Siamese and I am now beginning to understand that they are prone to chronic gingivitis. He is just 8 months old and his gums are already problematic. He just got his adult teeth, so it's not tartar build up that's causing the issue- he's got beautiful new white teeth with inflamed gums rimming them. He is obviously going to be a lifetime of vigilant dental care.

I spent a while looking around Amazon and reading reviews on pet tooth care products. Some of the oral rinses can cause yellowing of the teeth over time, and I'm not sure whether that really matters or not- our cat is not going to be a super model, but his teeth are so pretty I hate to discolor them... of course if it's a choice between discoloration and loss, discoloration is preferable. I've started using some products on him that are under the name Biotene. I think they are enzyme based and don't contain the ingredient that causes discoloring, however we've only been using them a short time so I can't say how well they work in long term maintenance. We are also using something else at the moment that's intended to clear up the initial gingivitis.

Good luck with your dental routine. We are still trying to develop ours. Fortunately this little guy is pretty cooperative for a cat (which is surprising because he's so hyper otherwise). I don't think the Biotene has an offensive flavor, he doesn't complain at all when I "brush" his teeth with that and a q-tip.

I just took my chihuahua (4 years old) to the vet for teeth cleaning and was told that she has one(1) tooth in the back that needed to be worked on to to tarter buildup. The cost estimated was $115 for the cleaning and $40 for any tooth extraction. I sign a form that stated to give permission to put the dog under and to extract any tooth. Well after the vet checking my dog mouth and informed me that there was one (1) tooth to be worked on, I left the dog at the office hoping it was the one tooth that was causing her to not able to bite into any treat. When I came back for the dog, the vet causally said he pulled ten (10) teeth out of the young dog!!! I was surprise and too shock to say anything at the time and after I paid over $550.00 and got home; I was so upset how can anyone do such a thing to my sweet dog that was so young without notifying me first. My dog is completely a different dog. She is not as friendly and withdrawn since her procedure. She can't eat or chew on any of her favorite chewies or bones. Her eyes are empty, not as affectionate as before and lost some weight, etc. ..The only thing the vet said after I told him, 10!!!!! was "don't feel bad, I pulled 5 from my dog. He said her teeth were loose and didn't know until he put her under and realized that there were 10 teeth loose!!!! Any comments????What should I do? I definitely don't have to go back to the same vet after 6 years. I need to find another vet...

This doesn't surprise me, the common statistic out there that I've read is that by two years of age 80% of adult dogs usually have some dental problems. Makes sense to me when you consider that most dog diets consist of eating dry kibble that can contain processed carbohydrates and sugars that probably can stick to the teeth and enhance build-up of plaque and tartar. Plus the physical act of eating dry kibble or canned food offers very little dental benefits.

Both of my older dogs (one of them is a toy mix) have completely avoided teeth cleanings and have white teeth because they are fed a Prey Model Raw diet. No processed sugars or carbohydrates, just fresh raw meat, certain raw meaty bones, and raw organs.

Raw meaty bones can be very helpful in cleaning the teeth by scraping the tarter off when the dog is trying to tear the raw meat off the bone and chewing on the bone. A full diet change really made a huge difference in my dogs teeth but even giving certain raw meaty bones to a dog who is commercial kibble or canned fed can help clean the teeth.

Hi. I have a female chihuahua who is almost two and last night one of her teeth fell out. I'm pretty sure it was one of her adult teeth. When I looked at it I noticed that is was completely rotten and was covered in tartar. It is impossible for me to brush her teeth, I feed her food from the vets that is supposed to help clean her teeth and I give her chews for her teeth so I have no idea why her teeth would be this way. I am very worried because I don't want her to have to have an anesthetic to have her teeth removed. I think a few more of her teeth are rotten and I am so worried because she is so young. Does anybody have any advice?

Thanks.

I have a 12 year old Chihuahua that needs all his teeth removed extracted and I'm worried about him being put under anesthesia I need some advice is he too old to be put under anesthesia I know rotten teeth can shorten their lives is anybody can give me any advice I would appreciate it

PJadams, there is a risk with anesthesia, but there is also risk with rotten teeth issue. When my vet first suggested a teeth cleaning, I thought it was the most extravagant and ridiculous thing to do. When one of the teeth on my doxie fell on my hand, I knew it had to be done. Interestingly, after the first procedure he seemed happier and perkier. I have done it once a year ever since and do not regret it. My doxie is 13 and anesthesia gets riskier with age. I say a little prayer for him and trust my vet will do the best. I was told of the possibility of having to do more extractions than scheduled and I seem to remember I signed something giving the Dr discretion in this regard. But as it becomes a "routine" practice, then the unscheduled

Thank you for your comments. I did make an appointment for next Tuesday.

Use good oral product like VitaHound Oral Care spray. It really works

Yes, first of all, Chi's are famous for having teeth problems. But, not brushing their teeth and keeping up with their dental care can lead to gum disease, which can actually be fatal from the bacteria and decay. There are 2 options available: There i a rubber over-the-finger thing that you can use (which I was using, but was getting to be too bulky to get into those back areas on my 2 Chi's), and small toothbrushes. Also, there are toothpastes that you can buy at Petsmart, etc. that come in flavors dogs like. You really do not have to brush their teeth EVERY day, but the more often, the better!!!! That will keep the incidence of plaque and bacteria down!!! I know it's worrysome to have your baby "put under" to have their teeth cleaned, etc., but that is the only way the Vet can get to the gums and under the gum line. As far as pulling teeth without first notifying the owner/parent, I find this absolutely unthinkable!!!!! I KNOW that my Vet would call me first!!! Oh, and don't EVER give them ANYTHING WITH RAWHIDE TO CHEW ON!!!! My previous Vet said 90% of his surgeries were due to the fact that the owner had given the dog RAWHIDE!!!!! Dogs simply CANNOT DIGEST RAWHIDE!!!!! THE RAWHIDE ACTUALLY JUST SITS THERE IN THEIR GUTS AND CAUSES BLOCKAGES!!!!! There are plenty of other chews that are available that dogs CAN digest safely and with NO problems at all!!! Just because something is for sale, doesn't mean that it is SAFE!!!!!

Hi.....I don't mean to sound mean or anything, but your baby is only 2, and I find it hard to believe that "it is impossible to brush her teeth!!!" YOU are the parent, they are the baby, and by 2 you should have already started a toothbrushing program. Try one of the 2 methods I talked about above. A spray or rinse is not above. About that one tooth that was so bad, it could be genetic or something. Anyway, it is NEVER too late to start a good brushing program. Let me know if I can help anymore!!!! Good luck!!!!

I don't disagree with anything above. That said, in over fifty years of dog ownership, I've never had a dog that required dental care, to include cleaning.

I have never brushed their teeth. Always fed a quality kibble and for decades have not fed any "treats" other than a few pieces of kibble.

Many of the years I had dogs the breed was (English) Bulldogs. Arguably, their teeth do not lend themselves to even contact with hard kibble as their teeth are generally not "straight."

I currently have but one dog - she is a 6 year old Greyhound that I got from the track in Tampa, Florida. I've had her for 1 1/2 years. Greyhounds right off the track are notorious for having bad teeth as they had been fed an exclusively soft diet while at the track. (My girl now gets a quality kibble with no treats,as described above.)

For the first time, I have added to steps to my dog's regimen as re to dental care. Once a day I give her a large Greenie, which she chews on vigorously for about 5-10 minutes. Cost like a buck a day!

I also have been adding a "splash" of a liquid additive called, Tropiklean Fresh Breath. Cost like peanuts a day.

With this dog I also have been adding Solid Gold Seameal (It's seaweed) to her kibble. Cost maybe 20 cents a day. I do this only because I found a Brit Veterinary Study that suggested seaweed fed to dogs may reduce dental bacteria by killing it.

The only reason I am posting is to share my concern for my current dog's dental care because of the total lack of support that she received for the nearly five years before she came to my home.

I am NOT advocating a course of treatment, but did want to mention that as seemingly important daily cleaning may sound, that there are people that do not do that and have had a positive result - in my case for over half a century.

My 8.5 year old Chi mix is at the vet today for dental work. We just received a call from the vet and they extracted 18 teeth. He also had a mass on his gums that they removed and are having biopsed. He's going to be one sore boy when he comes home later today. She told us only soft food for 7 days, which he's not a big fan of. My concern is getting the pain meds into him along with his two seizure meds he normally takes which are liquid.

This is Bingo last week when he visited the vet for his annual checkup.

Three of my chihuahuas had dentals at my vet. They had 6 or 7 teeth extracted each. The cost was between $550 and 630. I brought my 6 year old chi to the LA SPCA for a dental. She had 17 teeth extracted. The cost was $230. I would hate to see what my vet would have charged. She came home with antibiotics and pain meds. She ate some soft food that night. The vet there told me about a prescription dental diet. Said it cost a little more but really helps keep their teeth clean.

How do these dogs get to the point where 6, 7, 17, or 18 teeth need to be extracted?

I have a yorkie/Chi mix...she's had one tooth extracted, when she was two, it was a baby tooth..she's 7 now. I brush her teeth daily doing only one tooth a day, once I've done them all I start back at the beginning. she has the worst breath in the world. I expressed my concerns to her vet who looked at her teeth a few months ago saying they look fine but it wouldn't hurt to do a cleaning in a year or so. The vet told me its good that I clean her teeth daily as both these breeds can go from great oral health to bad teeth in the blink of an eye. in fact he told me he's never seen a dog of these breeds that hasn't had numerous extractions by this age.

So I think that just as some dogs are high risk for thyroid, cancer ect....the Chi's are prone to bad teeth.

I strongly recommend you clean your dogs teeth daily. They don't like this at least at first so do one tooth a day. Only takes a minute or two and can save your pet a lot of pain and saves you money.

My 4 lb chihuahua will be 11 in April. She has been under twice for teeth cleaning and last visit had two teeth pulled. I had to laugh at a previous comment regarding, "you are the mother, the dog is the dog, brush their teeth." If only it were that simple. Leea has never let me 'brush her teeth.'.. and I would never had held her down, or forced her to let me stick anything in her mouth to brush them. As we all know, vets can be very costly... I did what any good doggie mom would do, and provided her with plenty of chewie things throughout the years to help, and paid for the cleaning when it was affordable. She also has liver disease, and yearly blood work and special diet isn't cheap. After her visit yesterday, the vet told me all of her teeth need to be removed, she was able to "get a little peek" she told me when bringing her back to our room. I don't know what to expect as far as eating. She now eats only soft food anyway, which consists of meat, rice, veggies, ect ( home cooked ) ... so I don't think she'll have a problem going forward. I hope her little personality doesn't change and I hope to be able to soften her favorite treats and continue to take care of her the same way I always have. Because of her liver disease, anesthesia was always a risk, and I avoided it as often as I could. I'm nervous.. but I certainly am not worried about the way she will look, ( I've been told her tongue will hang out now, although I am worried that it will get dry... ;- / ) We all do the best we can for our little ones, and I just hope this ensures I will have her around for another 11 years. :-)

You should read and learn. However, you need to stop giving advice to others!

Salt dog, I never gave anyone any advise. What the hell are you talking about? YOU should probably read it again and learn to pay attention.

Read your own harmful post. Lots of advice. Including criticsm of , " YOU are the parent, they are the baby, and by 2 you should have already started a toothbrushing program." You go on to say your four pound dog THAT HAS HAD ALL OF ITS TEETH REMOVED "has never let me 'brush her teeth.'."

What kind of responsible ownership to you think you have applied to rearing this poor dog? With proper care a dog should live its life out without the need to pull all its teeth.

Again, you need to stop giving advice to others!