How to prevent yearly Dentals

crystal2431 · 12-05-2006, 01:44 PM

I have a 3 pound Chihuahua and she is three years old and has had three dental cleanings. The last time it took her a long time to wake up from the anesthetic and it really scared me. Does anyone know of any spray or gel that would help. I have tried to brush her teeth and she hates it. Thanks

rottielover · 12-05-2006, 01:47 PM

OMG, that is crazy....get her used to a finger brush, they will be alot better for her in the long run

GSD · 12-05-2006, 03:48 PM

switch her to the RAW diet, nothing but compliments on my dogs teeth, and the best thing is I don't ever have to touch em

sammy · 12-05-2006, 05:08 PM

Feeding raw is certainly the only way to get around tooth brushing. It really does make a huge difference but not everyone can/will do that.
If you feed kibble you really do need to brush the dog's teeth regularly.

There is a new product out here that's a spray that you spray on the teeth, the animal must not eat/drink for 30 mins . It apparrently works really well but I'm sorry I don't know what it's called- it's in a tiny blue spray bottle and costs a small fortume at $65 Can. I've only seen it in highend pet supply stores - not in places like Patsmart/Petco.
You can also use a homeopathic remedy called fragaria vesca. The animal takes it by mouth and it softens tartar quite a bit.You have to use it daily for a week or so and then it helps to use it once a week or so after that. I just ordered some in to my local health store. (still need to brush the teeth though)

crystal2431 · 12-05-2006, 09:29 PM

Thanks for the advice. I am not familiar with a raw diet. What do I feed and how?

wehkah · 12-05-2006, 10:51 PM

What are you feeding now??? Do you have any canned food in her diet? If so I would discontinue using it if you can.

Is the dog a chewer??

I would definately brush her teeth if she lets you. They make a doggie toothpaste that is safe for them and has a nice flavor to it. My dogs are chewers so it's a bit easier for me but I saw 75% improvement after I purchased this item:

http://www.hartz.com/Our%20Products/...ail=3270099005

However they don't call it a tooth scrubber anymore... I can't remember the new name. But it does a heck of an awesome job!

TinyAlbinoDancer · 12-06-2006, 12:02 AM

There are several options that I don't have personal experience with (yet!). I picked them up from a Greyhound board, as Greyhounds are known for their bad teeth.

One is a liquid you put in the dog's water. There are several brands, and Petco/Petsmart chains carry at least one (look in the dental care section, with the shampoos and such). Here's another brand: http://oxyfresh.com/pet/default.asp I've heard mixed results on it's effectiveness, some say it works for their dogs, some say they've seen no improvement. I plan to try this one: http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/produc...A5T3XXE7P72LNE and possibly the Petrodex chews farther down the page. There are chews like (including) Petrodex that supposedly are coated with special enzymes that "reduce plaque and control tartar."

You can also use aspects of the RAW diet (instead of switching completely, like GSD mentioned), such as raw bones (turkey necks and chicken backs are supposed to clean teeth exceptionally well).

Hope that helps! It's a constant struggle over here too with two small dogs, and eventually a Greyhound.

crystal2431 · 12-06-2006, 07:23 PM

Those are great ideas. She does eat dry kibbl, but I give her a small spoonful of canned daily too. I will try the oxyfresh. Thanks

dogma · 12-06-2006, 08:15 PM

Boy, she is CUTE! If she ever needs a home... I brush mine with a soft baby toothbrush (the finger brush was too big) and dog dentifrice (toothpaste) that tastes great, get it from the vet. Let her lick it daily if nothing else. Chews help, too. Mine love veggies so a raw carrot stick or cauliflower helps, too. I give mine a keyword "teefers" so they lick and prepare and give me no problem. Don't try it all at once. Use about 6 strokes and let her regroup, start again. Lots of praise and petting during and after helps. I always end with a little extra dentifrice which is a treat to them.

KennelMom · 12-07-2006, 07:07 AM

Raw bones. Brushing can't get to all the teeth like you should. Chicken necks might be a good size for a chi....I don't have a ton of experience with small dogs and raw...perhaps some other small dog raw feeders could give you some other ideas.

We saw zero benefit from oxyfresh. Brushing helps but not half as well as raw bones.

Sugardog · 12-09-2006, 05:20 PM

Daily brushing would deffinitly help.

A raw bone once or twice a week would also be helpful. But if you decide to go all raw, research, research, research and consult your vet. It takes alot more time and preperation than just filling a dish with kibble. It's not just give your dog a bone twice a day and thats it. It takes time and dedication and alot of research.

Beryl · 12-09-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennelMom

Raw bones.

Yep. My Min Pin's teeth were jacked up when I got him but after 3 months of giving him a raw beef bone everyday, his teeth improved dramatically. I went ahead and got his teeth cleaned because I had pre-paid for it via Banfield but I don't think I would have needed it after 6 months. I plan to maintain his teeth by continuing to feed the raw bones.

OTOH, my toy poodle doesn't care for the raw bones like the min pin so he has some tartar. He'll eat a raw chicken wing but won't complete the entire bone. I'm planning to try chicken necks (if I can find some) because the bones are a little softer so he might like them better.

TinyAlbinoDancer · 12-10-2006, 02:40 PM

Beryl, where do you buy the bones for your pups?

I want to try the raw bones with Ollie and Missie but I'm really nervous. I'm a vegetarian because I can't stand the taste/smell/appearance of meat, so giving it raw to the dogs is just...Eeeeeeew. lol

Beryl · 12-10-2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyAlbinoDancer

Beryl, where do you buy the bones for your pups?

We have this place called "Whole Pets" in Boulder which is located in the same shopping center as a health food store "Whole Foods". They stock all "good" foods and raw food in 3 large freezers. The beef bones are only 2-5 inches -- perfect for the little guys.

I'm not a "vegetarian" but rarely eat meat. The meat in my freezer is for my dogs. LOL!

roman · 12-17-2006, 07:10 PM

have you tried FLOSSIES? they are a meat product that is used as a treat and as your dog chews on it it acts like a floss it is safe and can be found at any petstore

12-05-2006, 01:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
crystal2431 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0	How to prevent yearly Dentals I have a 3 pound Chihuahua and she is three years old and has had three dental cleanings. The last time it took her a long time to wake up from the anesthetic and it really scared me. Does anyone know of any spray or gel that would help. I have tried to brush her teeth and she hates it. Thanks Attached Thumbnails

12-05-2006, 01:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
rottielover rottweiler true believer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: montreal, qc Posts: 656 Rep Power: 53	OMG, that is crazy....get her used to a finger brush, they will be alot better for her in the long run
	__________________ Man should not fear a rottweiler, but a rottweiler has alot to fear of man. Loved by Harley ( M ) Oct, 1, 2004 And tigger july 2004 approx

12-06-2006, 12:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,577 Rep Power: 166	There are several options that I don't have personal experience with (yet!). I picked them up from a Greyhound board, as Greyhounds are known for their bad teeth. One is a liquid you put in the dog's water. There are several brands, and Petco/Petsmart chains carry at least one (look in the dental care section, with the shampoos and such). Here's another brand: http://oxyfresh.com/pet/default.asp I've heard mixed results on it's effectiveness, some say it works for their dogs, some say they've seen no improvement. I plan to try this one: http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/produc...A5T3XXE7P72LNE and possibly the Petrodex chews farther down the page. There are chews like (including) Petrodex that supposedly are coated with special enzymes that "reduce plaque and control tartar." You can also use aspects of the RAW diet (instead of switching completely, like GSD mentioned), such as raw bones (turkey necks and chicken backs are supposed to clean teeth exceptionally well). Hope that helps! It's a constant struggle over here too with two small dogs, and eventually a Greyhound.
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

12-07-2006, 07:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
KennelMom Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Piedmont, SC Posts: 658 Rep Power: 87	Raw bones. Brushing can't get to all the teeth like you should. Chicken necks might be a good size for a chi....I don't have a ton of experience with small dogs and raw...perhaps some other small dog raw feeders could give you some other ideas. We saw zero benefit from oxyfresh. Brushing helps but not half as well as raw bones.
	__________________ Heather and the hounds Visit our pack at GreyhoundFreaks.com In loving memory of my Bridge Babies: Star, Annie, Casino, Erin ~ kitty Simon ~ fosters Dagger and DV

12-09-2006, 05:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Sugardog Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 266 Rep Power: 52	Daily brushing would deffinitly help. A raw bone once or twice a week would also be helpful. But if you decide to go all raw, research, research, research and consult your vet. It takes alot more time and preperation than just filling a dish with kibble. It's not just give your dog a bone twice a day and thats it. It takes time and dedication and alot of research.
Sugardog Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 266 Rep Power: 52

12-05-2006, 03:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
GSD Herding dogs Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: WI Posts: 1,133 Rep Power: 138	switch her to the RAW diet, nothing but compliments on my dogs teeth, and the best thing is I don't ever have to touch em

12-05-2006, 05:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
sammy herding dog lover Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: western canada Posts: 1,089 Rep Power: 113	Feeding raw is certainly the only way to get around tooth brushing. It really does make a huge difference but not everyone can/will do that. If you feed kibble you really do need to brush the dog's teeth regularly. There is a new product out here that's a spray that you spray on the teeth, the animal must not eat/drink for 30 mins . It apparrently works really well but I'm sorry I don't know what it's called- it's in a tiny blue spray bottle and costs a small fortume at $65 Can. I've only seen it in highend pet supply stores - not in places like Patsmart/Petco. You can also use a homeopathic remedy called fragaria vesca. The animal takes it by mouth and it softens tartar quite a bit.You have to use it daily for a week or so and then it helps to use it once a week or so after that. I just ordered some in to my local health store. (still need to brush the teeth though)

12-05-2006, 09:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
crystal2431 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the advice. I am not familiar with a raw diet. What do I feed and how?

12-05-2006, 10:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
wehkah Proud mama of 3 weimies! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Waukesha, WI Posts: 405 Rep Power: 61	What are you feeding now??? Do you have any canned food in her diet? If so I would discontinue using it if you can. Is the dog a chewer?? I would definately brush her teeth if she lets you. They make a doggie toothpaste that is safe for them and has a nice flavor to it. My dogs are chewers so it's a bit easier for me but I saw 75% improvement after I purchased this item: http://www.hartz.com/Our%20Products/...ail=3270099005 However they don't call it a tooth scrubber anymore... I can't remember the new name. But it does a heck of an awesome job!

12-06-2006, 07:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
crystal2431 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0	Those are great ideas. She does eat dry kibbl, but I give her a small spoonful of canned daily too. I will try the oxyfresh. Thanks

12-06-2006, 08:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
dogma Join Date: May 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 122 Rep Power: 48	Boy, she is CUTE! If she ever needs a home... I brush mine with a soft baby toothbrush (the finger brush was too big) and dog dentifrice (toothpaste) that tastes great, get it from the vet. Let her lick it daily if nothing else. Chews help, too. Mine love veggies so a raw carrot stick or cauliflower helps, too. I give mine a keyword "teefers" so they lick and prepare and give me no problem. Don't try it all at once. Use about 6 strokes and let her regroup, start again. Lots of praise and petting during and after helps. I always end with a little extra dentifrice which is a treat to them.

12-10-2006, 02:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,577 Rep Power: 166	Beryl, where do you buy the bones for your pups? I want to try the raw bones with Ollie and Missie but I'm really nervous. I'm a vegetarian because I can't stand the taste/smell/appearance of meat, so giving it raw to the dogs is just...Eeeeeeew. lol
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

12-17-2006, 07:10 PM	#15 (permalink)
roman Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,209 Rep Power: 71	have you tried FLOSSIES? they are a meat product that is used as a treat and as your dog chews on it it acts like a floss it is safe and can be found at any petstore
	__________________

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