Baby teeth extraction
by Angel
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Hello:) My Annie is almost 11 months old. She hasn't been spayed yet because her vet feels she needs to gain a little bit more weight first. Well, she has several baby teeth that need to come out. So I figured that I would wait and have it done at the same time as the spaying. Plus, the vet won't put her under and do her teeth either until she gains more weight. So I took her to the vet to see if she can have both precedures done already, and she hasn't gained enough weight yet. He wants her to be at least 3 pounds first. He did say that if she wasn't 3 pounds in the next 3 months we would just go ahead and do the procedures than anyway. My worry is this: These baby teeth must come out. She has very bad breath and she takes a long time to eat probably because she is in pain with her teeth. I don't want her to suffer. I want to get the teeth out of her mouth that don't belong there. I'm thinking of going to a different vet and getting a second opinion. The vet I have now is excellent though. One of the very best in our area. But my baby is in pain and it breaks my heart and I want to do anything I can for her to ease her pain. I cook for my girls and she eats real good but she's just a very tiny baby. I don't know if she'll ever hit the 3 pound mark and she may be needlessly suffering. What would you do in this situation? TIA:)
DISCUSSION:
Unless you have an unneutered male dog in your home or yard there is really no hurry to have her spayed so young. Just pulling the teeth does not take as long under anesthesia. Our vet. here does very small Yorkies and Maltese for the teeth thing but each vet has his own way of working and not every vet can handle the touchy situation of a very small dog under anesthesia. I would suggest discussing this with him and trying for just pulling those teeth. How can she gain weight if she can't eat? Be sure your home cooking is giving her enough calories, you might be better with a commercial high fat, high protein puppy diet.
Mary Lou
Angel, it's kind of a Catch 22 isn't it? I agree with Mary Lou - less chicken and rice - more pizza and fries - Yaaaaaaayyyyyy!
Marie
Angel, with the use of isofluorine & (cant remember the other anaesthetic at the moment) the dog is "just under". It is administered thru a tube inserted in the lungs. So little Annie may not need to be under for very long for the vet to pull a few teeth. Also you could ask if they use a heart monitor, etc. The spaying can wait a bit longer.My Gizmo wasnt able to chew very well before he had some of his baby teeth pulled - and he still cant chew very well! LOL Is it possible to seek out a vet who specializes in small breeds? I know I couldnt find one in my city. I just wanted a second opinion cuz like you, we've had our vet for over 15 years & he is the best!If he's treated Annie for 8 mos he should know but maybe he's not had a lot of experience with tiny tiny furbabies :)Pls let us know what you decide.
BeeGee
Angel - get a second opinion! Phoebe was just fourteen weeks old and a whopping one pound nine ounces when she had four baby teeth removed. Yes they used Isoflouine and had her on a monitor, the procedure went very well. When I had her spayed at six months she weighed three pounds nine ounces and again there were no problems - she also had four more teeth removed at that time. I admit that I freaked at the idea of putting a tiny pup under, but the procedure needed to be done because her bottom teeth were hitting the roof of her mouth, belive me it took only a day or two before she was chowing down like normal!If your vet is uncomfortable with her size I would definitely get another opinion. Yes, there is risk involved with these tiny guys - but why put your baby through uneccesary discomfort?
Leslie R
Dear Bee Gee and others. One of the best ways to find a vet. for your very small dog is to attend a local dog club meeting and ask the Yorkie breeders who they use. Or other very small dog breeders, there are just more Yorkie breeders usually. I you live in a major city area there must be a club around somewhere. And of course you can find out on the net!!
Mary Lou
Thank you everyone for your responses:) I am going to make an appointment w/another vet and get a second opinion. Her baby teeth just have to come out already. I can wait on the spaying, but not on the baby teeth. She has to be in pain and I just will not stand for that. I'll seek a third, even fourth opinion if necessary. Surely someone will help her. Take care!
Angel
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise. |
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