Broken Teeth

[ilovrubz!]

Ruby, our 9 year old boxer has broken some of her teeth away. We think it's because she has been chewing on rocks. The vet told us not to be too worried, just get dental work done. Is dental work very expensive?
Because at the moment it doesn't seem to worry her shes still her happy self and eats fine. Is it worth getting dental work when ruby doesn't care?
Anyway reply and show me your points of view,
thanks
abz

 

[Billysmum]

Are you sure they're actually broken?

My boy Billy is almost 8 (in 2 wks time) - anyway a while ago we noticed that he didn't appear to have any teeth at the front or at least they were very small.

The next time he went to the vet we asked the vet to check and it turns out that his gums have grown over his teeth! Apparently Boxers are prone to gum tumours and the gum tumours cover the teeth. This has happened even though he regularly has nylabone to chew on and eats dried food.

Some of the tumours are lumpy shapes and may be removed by laser cauterization but the vet said they are very likely to grow back. We haven't had any removed yet but when he goes in May for his annual innoculations we will get them checked again.

 

[harleyboxer]

Harley's teeth are very worn down and the tips are broken off from chewing on a chain. As long as there aren't any roots exposed it should be fine. Getting your dogs teeth done if it's been awhile can't hurt though.

 

[boxermom5]

Tenaia just had a root canal because she broke a molar chewing on a Nylabone (which the dentist said doesn't usually happen with that product). I hadn't noticed her displaying any signs of pain, but when she went to the vet to have a punture wound tended to, he checked her teeth (among other things...he's very thorough) he showed me the tooth and pointed out the exposed roots.

Long story short, we now have rubber bones and floss ropes only - and the root canal was $1,500.

Last year our 9 yr old went to have teeth cleaned and an absess lanced, and $1,800 later ended up having a large tumor removed from her jaw bone and 10 of her teeth had to come out due to severe damage from the infection w/the tumor. Fortunately, the biopsy was beneign.

If it were me, I'd go to the dentist and have the tooth looked at. Then you will be able to make an informed choice about what to do before it gets worse and your options become limited.

Good luck!
Jen, Tess & Tenaia