Bernards breath will knock you off your feet!
Discussion
My Bully, Bernard, has such bad breath it makes me angry. The vet tells me the only way to deal with it is 'knock him out'. But he doesn't believe the risk is worth it and accept that dogs have bad breath, hence the saying 'oi, dog breath!'
However, I need to do something. The problem is that English Bull Terriers will try to swallow things that are too big for their throats and I'm worried about the teeth cleaning chews etc. He will chew it once then try to neck it.
Any safe suggestions?
In the meantime, does he need a haircut too?
However, I need to do something. The problem is that English Bull Terriers will try to swallow things that are too big for their throats and I'm worried about the teeth cleaning chews etc. He will chew it once then try to neck it.
Any safe suggestions?
In the meantime, does he need a haircut too?
at the pic.We used this on our Collie, she lived to 16 & never needed any dental work but that could have been her love of rawhide chews
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dental-care-products-c-11/l...
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dental-care-products-c-11/l...
Thanks for the input guys. I'd be worried about the chicken wings, he'd crunch it once and then swallow it.
I think anything that is supposed to be chewed but isn't food would be ignored too.
I like the idea of the gel. Will he just lick it off straight away though? His own electric toothbrush is a good idea too.
I think I might have to pursue the gel and onto brushing, see if I can improve his smile a bit.
R.E the vets approach, I suppose he just doesn't think the risk is worth it because dogs breath is a fact of life for a dog and that's that.
By the way, he is on dry food and anything that's scraped off a dinner plate. (Bernard, not the vet!)
I think anything that is supposed to be chewed but isn't food would be ignored too.
I like the idea of the gel. Will he just lick it off straight away though? His own electric toothbrush is a good idea too.
I think I might have to pursue the gel and onto brushing, see if I can improve his smile a bit.
R.E the vets approach, I suppose he just doesn't think the risk is worth it because dogs breath is a fact of life for a dog and that's that.
By the way, he is on dry food and anything that's scraped off a dinner plate. (Bernard, not the vet!)
Well it does depend on the state of the teeth and gums. 80% of cats and dogs have some degree of dental disease by the time they are 3. So yes dogs can have bad breath but if it due to bad gums (and when older bad teeth) then a dental is worth the risk.
I assume your vet is actually happy with how his gums and teeth look in which case he would be right, so time to start brushing Bernards not so pearly whites
I assume your vet is actually happy with how his gums and teeth look in which case he would be right, so time to start brushing Bernards not so pearly whites
Don't jump at anaesthetic and scale (unless his teeth are 'orrid) ask your vet about antibiotics against the bacteria that cause "death breath". If your dog needs an anaesthetic and dental work, then he is very likely to benefit much more than you'd expect in general health. Put some pics of his teeth and gums on here for a more informed reply HTH
I am sure the Vet will agree with me and say the incisor in the second pic needs more than just a toothbrush, the tartar is eroding into the gum quite badly.
Antibiotics would be a good start I'm sure but in my experience that tooth needs a proper scaling which he is unlikely to tolerate without an anesthetic. I'll be really interested to know what TheVet thinks though.
Antibiotics would be a good start I'm sure but in my experience that tooth needs a proper scaling which he is unlikely to tolerate without an anesthetic. I'll be really interested to know what TheVet thinks though.
bexVN said:
I am sure the Vet will agree with me and say the incisor in the second pic needs more than just a toothbrush, the tartar is eroding into the gum quite badly.
Antibiotics would be a good start I'm sure but in my experience that tooth needs a proper scaling which he is unlikely to tolerate without an anesthetic. I'll be really interested to know what TheVet thinks though.
Yes, I spotted that one too. It looks really bad. I must state that when I mentioned it to my vet, it would have been early last year, so it's likely there has been quite a lot of degeneration since.Antibiotics would be a good start I'm sure but in my experience that tooth needs a proper scaling which he is unlikely to tolerate without an anesthetic. I'll be really interested to know what TheVet thinks though.
Out of interest, does this kind of work get covered by Petplan?
bernhund said:
bexVN said:
I am sure the Vet will agree with me and say the incisor in the second pic needs more than just a toothbrush, the tartar is eroding into the gum quite badly.
Antibiotics would be a good start I'm sure but in my experience that tooth needs a proper scaling which he is unlikely to tolerate without an anesthetic. I'll be really interested to know what TheVet thinks though.
Yes, I spotted that one too. It looks really bad. I must state that when I mentioned it to my vet, it would have been early last year, so it's likely there has been quite a lot of degeneration since.Antibiotics would be a good start I'm sure but in my experience that tooth needs a proper scaling which he is unlikely to tolerate without an anesthetic. I'll be really interested to know what TheVet thinks though.
Out of interest, does this kind of work get covered by Petplan?
ETA
The following is from the pet plan on line site, this dental check can be done at the time of a booster I'm sure but your vet may need to show this in their notes.
Why does my pet have to have an annual dental check?
Whether you have a cat insurance, dog insurance or rabbit insurance policy, you must take reasonable steps to maintain your pet's health throughout the policy year and to prevent injury, illness and loss. Therefore you must arrange and pay for your pet to have an annual dental examination by a vet in order to prevent illness or injury. By continuing with these check-ups this shows us that you have played your part in caring for your dog, cat or rabbit, so we can play ours.
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 6th March 19:45
bexVN said:
bernhund said:
bexVN said:
I am sure the Vet will agree with me and say the incisor in the second pic needs more than just a toothbrush, the tartar is eroding into the gum quite badly.
Antibiotics would be a good start I'm sure but in my experience that tooth needs a proper scaling which he is unlikely to tolerate without an anesthetic. I'll be really interested to know what TheVet thinks though.
Yes, I spotted that one too. It looks really bad. I must state that when I mentioned it to my vet, it would have been early last year, so it's likely there has been quite a lot of degeneration since.Antibiotics would be a good start I'm sure but in my experience that tooth needs a proper scaling which he is unlikely to tolerate without an anesthetic. I'll be really interested to know what TheVet thinks though.
Out of interest, does this kind of work get covered by Petplan?
ETA
The following is from the pet plan on line site, this dental check can be done at the time of a booster I'm sure but your vet may need to show this in their notes.
Why does my pet have to have an annual dental check?
Whether you have a cat insurance, dog insurance or rabbit insurance policy, you must take reasonable steps to maintain your pet's health throughout the policy year and to prevent injury, illness and loss. Therefore you must arrange and pay for your pet to have an annual dental examination by a vet in order to prevent illness or injury. By continuing with these check-ups this shows us that you have played your part in caring for your dog, cat or rabbit, so we can play ours.
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 6th March 19:45
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