Root Canal???

[justTess]

While my Siberian Husky was recieving heartworm treatment, we noticed he had chipped his K9 tooth pretty badly.  About 2/3rds of his tooth is gone and you can see the pulp.  My emergency vet says we need to wait about a week because he is an anesthesia risk before seeking a canine dentist.

What is a canine dentist?  I didn't know they existed.  I was told this tooth held up a lot of his snout's structure so it would be a good idea to keep it instead of extract it.

Has anyone tried canine root canal before?  How expensive is it and is waiting a week mean he will loose the tooth?

[peluplace]

I just found out my 4 year old rescue has a chipped tooth in the back, the vet suggested a cleaning and will send xrays to a dental specialist to see if a root canal is necessary... it is expensive especially here is Hawaii but she is my baby and I cannot take a chance of infection....aloha

[diamondgrl123]

My miniature schnauzer had two root canals yesterday, and it was very costly.  My second schnauzer has more serious issues and during the work on her teeth, it was discovered she had two cracked molars.  She is only 7 years old, so I will have root canals on them immediately.  A cracked or broken tooth is very painful for the dog and should be dealt with as soon as it is discovered.  The tooth can abcess and die if treatment is delayed.  I am going to an animal dentist for treatment because he has x-ray machines and all the equipment necessary to do the best work.  He also uses anesthesia that is less traumatic for the dog.  The veterinarian that has done the basic care of my dogs can do cleaning of the teeth, but is not educated for the specialized treatment necessary.  For these two root canals and crowns, I am looking at a cost of $3500.  Extractions would cost $1000.  She has a lot of life left, and I want to do the best treatment possible, and try to preserve her teeth.  The root canals will be started next week.

[lonewolf07]

Hi

You might be able to find affordable dental care by contacting the SPCA or any animal shelters in your area.

Regarding your concerns about your husky getting an infection in his tooth, some vets give animals antibiotics about one week before dental work is done.  If his tooth is chipped, you could just try brushing his teeth to keep his mouth clean and relatively free of germs.  I know, brushing a dog's teeth seems somewhat strange but we have been brushing our bigger dogs' teeth and they like the taste of the toothpaste (bought from the vet).

One good thing about your vet is that he/she is careful and aware enough to wait till your husky is finished with his other meds before doing an extraction.  Some vets would  just go ahead and do it so they can get paid = (

When our husky had her teeth cleaned, the anesthetic seemed to effect her for at least a day; she seemed like she had a hangover and was not in a good mood.  Fortunately, that wore off but IMHO anything involving anesthetic is a risk but if it's for your "boy's" benefit - if you think it's right, it probably is.

Good advice from Chi too - ask if the extraction will effect his other teeth.

I hope he is managing with his meds.  Keep on posting if you want and let us all know how he is doing.

wolf

[chihuahuagrandma]

Start makin your phone calls, there are vets also that will let you pay out, or leave post dated checks...just beg,.....its so expensive....thats what I do, just start off begging, LOL

[justTess]

I don't know :(  

My husky just started heartworm treatment and he is not feeling very well.  I have to wait about 3 weeks before he gets well enough to leave the house.

I'm hoping his tooth will not get infected .  :(

Poor guy...

I guess in the meantime, I'm going to look around to see if there are other quality vets who have a different price scale.

[chihuahuagrandma]

Are you going ahead w/ extraction??

[justTess]

Ouch!....

Just found out to extract his tooth may cost about $500.  If it is possible for a root canal, that will be $1200.  At least that is cheaper than my root canal :O

My poor husky has to wait about 3 weeks because he's an anesthesia risk.  He just has immeticide for heartworms and he isn't feeling very well.

[chihuahuagrandma]

My female chi had dental surgery few months back, they removed some teeth, but on dogs, what they don't tell ya, or I didn't learn on my own, when teeth are removed the remaining teeth get all out of line....so now her mouth looks really bad, cause the teeth they left moved, and moved fast, they stick out, there all messed up....Its $200 job here but the after math of it, its bad too...so not sure for you....make calls in your area, and ask different vets for referrals to vets or canine dentist who could best advise you on your matter...best of luck to you and yours...I wonder how your dog is eating, has its eating habits changed, bacteria builds up fast on infection in dog's teeth...wonder how it broke?
Keep us posted please, and I sure more members will give their advice/suggestions to help you...

[lonewolf07]

Hi

How ironic that you should post about your Siberian husky needing dental work.  Today our Siberian husky had dental work done too - just a cleaning but she had to be sedated.
I don't know where you are but I'm in Canada and the vet does all the dental work, there is no particular canine dentist.

Have never heard of a dog having root canal but if having it done is beneficial to your husky then IMHO - have it done.

You could ask your vet if waiting a week will cause your "boy" to lose the tooth.  My guess is it won't or the vet would have told you.  Our husky had X rays which indicated that some of her incisors were a bit loose and would probably have to be extracted in a few years.  I worry about having any of my dogs anesthetized but have found that with a "good" vet, you can ask questions and get honest answers.

I hope things work out with your husky's dental problems.  Other folks in the Dog Community will also be able to give you more information.  Maybe you can post again and let us all know how he (and you) are doing.

lonewolf (and Miss Puff, the husky)

[elnora]

I know that a dental cleaning is arounde $300 here, so a root canal would probably be costly. I think if the vet suggests removal of the tooth, you might want to do it. You don't want it to become infected b/c the infection could spread to his brain.

There is a test that the vet can do to make sure your dog is okay with anesthesia.
I suggest getting it done.

It doesn't cost much to go see the dentist. Better peace of mind than worry.