Help removing tartar of dogs teeth

[FathertoFeathers]

I made a trip out to my grandmas house this week and while I was petting her dogs I noticed that one of them has terrible tartar build up on his teeth. My grandma would take him to the vet if she could but she just had surgery and a vet just isn’t a option right now. He is getting old so he doesn’t like to play very much anymore and he has bad knees so he can’t do much and they can really hurt him sometimes. He will only eat soft food so rawhide chews and things like that won’t work. ( please do t think my grandma doesn’t take care of her dogs because she does ) Anyway what can I do to help remove some of the tartar?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Are you up to rubbing them baking soda on gauze wrapped around your finger has been used raw bone beef bones will also go a long way to cleaning them

 

[ellend]

Tartar buildup infects the gums, erodes the bone, and sends bacteria into the bloodstream, which then settle on the heart valves. Obviously, it also causes pain, and sometimes makes it difficult or impossible for the dog to eat, and when bad enough even makes it hard for them to breathe. Cleaning the teeth also sends bacteria into the bloodstream; a vet would give antibiotics. If the tartar is that bad, he undoubtedly has teeth that need to be removed. Again, antibiotics are needed. I'm sure your grandma loves her dog. That being said, it sounds like the dog is suffering in multiple ways; ways that won't get better. Veterinary fees for the dental work might be more than she can spend. My suggestion: a quick trip to the vet. Vet MUST think it's YOUR dog. Ask them not to shave the injection area, and to humanely put the dog down. Arrange him in his bed in a natural & peaceful position, and "find" him. You can release the little guy from pain, and from a slow & painful death. Grandma will be spared the guilt of seeing him decline and not being able to afford to help him. Most people believe the fable that "died in his sleep" means there was no suffering...but that's only true with euthanasia. I know this is hard to do, but it's the kindest thing you could do for both of them.

 

[ellend]

Tartar has to be broken & scraped off teeth. It isn't a job you should attempt without veterinary assistance experience--teeth break easily when there is gum disease, and you can cause a lot of damage that can't be repaired; at least without a lot of money.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

Tartar buildup infects the gums, erodes the bone, and sends bacteria into the bloodstream, which then settle on the heart valves. Obviously, it also causes pain, and sometimes makes it difficult or impossible for the dog to eat, and when bad enough even makes it hard for them to breathe. Cleaning the teeth also sends bacteria into the bloodstream; a vet would give antibiotics. If the tartar is that bad, he undoubtedly has teeth that need to be removed. Again, antibiotics are needed. I'm sure your grandma loves her dog. That being said, it sounds like the dog is suffering in multiple ways; ways that won't get better. Veterinary fees for the dental work might be more than she can spend. My suggestion: a quick trip to the vet. Vet MUST think it's YOUR dog. Ask them not to shave the injection area, and to humanely put the dog down. Arrange him in his bed in a natural & peaceful position, and "find" him. You can release the little guy from pain, and from a slow & painful death. Grandma will be spared the guilt of seeing him decline and not being able to afford to help him. Most people believe the fable that "died in his sleep" means there was no suffering...but that's only true with euthanasia. I know this is hard to do, but it's the kindest thing you could do for both of them.

That’s what I was just discussing with her and she thinks that it might be time

 

[Eggscaping]

I made a trip out to my grandmas house this week and while I was petting her dogs I noticed that one of them has terrible tartar build up on his teeth. My grandma would take him to the vet if she could but she just had surgery and a vet just isn’t a option right now. He is getting old so he doesn’t like to play very much anymore and he has bad knees so he can’t do much and they can really hurt him sometimes. He will only eat soft food so rawhide chews and things like that won’t work. ( please do t think my grandma doesn’t take care of her dogs because she does ) Anyway what can I do to help remove some of the tartar?

Whatever you end up deciding to do, thank you for being kind and caring enough to notice the problem and to reach out for advice and help about what to do. I think you're a very compassionate person, which can be a rare thing these days. Good for you.

 

[ellend]

YES--Thank you. I'm grateful that both the dog and your grandma have a loving person looking out for their best interests with compassion.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

Thank you for the kind words. I was worried I was going to be criticized or be told I wasn’t a good pet owner so these words really help.

 

[Rammy]

I would take the dog to the vet and ask to discuss quality of life with them. Have the vet evaluate its health and give you options. If they feel the dogs quality of life is not good, then you can discuss this with your grandmother and do whats best for her fur baby. If the vet suggests euthenasia, your grandma wont feel guilty about choosing that option and do whats best for her dog.
I know decisions like this are hard and I commend you for your strength and compassion.