Elderly dog with mouth problem...

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Dee
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Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by Dee »

My 16 year old dog Homer went into the vet on Friday where he went under anaesthetic so they could have a look at his teeth as he had yelped a few time last week when trying to eat a biscuit or a fairly soft chew.....
When I phoned after lunch I was told that his teeth were very good ...no sign of a bad tooth so the just gave them a good clean.....
he ate his food that evening which is soft tinned food so happy with that , then the next day he had a biscuit ...yelped dropped the biscuit so he still has the pain !
I don't think they did any x rays which is a shame as they had him under anesthetic at the time .....
They have given him ear drops in case its his ears .....
In himself hes not too bad but im concerned about the fact hes still in discomfort when he trys to eat anything hard ..
hes not pawing at his mouth at all and not dribbling , so I don't think there is an abcess and to be honest I would think the vet would have seen eveidence ..
Do dogs just have sensitive teeth as they get older ?
Im going got call the vet this morning to have a chat ...
If anyone has any ideas I would be very grateful

Dee
x
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wendy
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by wendy »

I would call he vet again, if I were you.
I have had dogs that have lived to 16/17 and, although they had dental treatment cleaning etc., they didn't have pain before or after.
Let us know how it goes.
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Dee
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by Dee »

Hi Wendy
just spoke to them and they are giving me some different painkiller ...he is on metacam for his achey joints at the moment ...
They said there was no need to x ray him as his teeth were wonderful for his age and just needed a clean ....and they gave him a good examination and couldnt see anything obvious..
In himself he seems brighter than before he went in but still a tender mouth which seems to be on the one side ....
He is very nearly blind and hard of hearing now ...but wanders about quite happily and eat drinks sleeps well ....
Anyway I'll see how this goes
Dee
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wendy
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by wendy »

Did they give you a clue, why he would yelp in pain when he chewed ?

Metacam is good for aches and pains. Just make sure it is given wit food, as it can cause tummy problems.
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Dee
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by Dee »

He is on metacam and I always drop it in his food ......
Ill try this other pain killer and see what happens ....the problem is Homer is such a grump ....only I can really stroke him and as for looking in his mouth ! well I would lose every finger even though he can t see much lol...so for the vet to have a good look it would mean another anesthetic.....and not too happy about that .
Im going to have a talk when I go to the vet today ....
xx
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wendy
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by wendy »

Oh the joys of getting old )grin2(
No you don't want any more anaesthetic, for him at that age.
Bottom line only soft stuff I suppose. But good to talk to vet again
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by Grannyof4 »

Agree with Wendy, definitely no more anaesthetic at his age. I would stick with soft food for the time being. If the new pain killers are tablets could you put it in a bit of cheese or wrap in a bit of ham.
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Dee
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by Dee »

The vets are very sure there are no teeth problems....so I really don't know what to think ...
He still seems to be in pain but will eat his food which is soft but he eats it very carefully..it also seems to bother him when he opens his mouth ...if he was to yawn ....
He has been put on two weeks supply of Prednoleucotropin........I know nothing about this drug........
Really don't know what to do now....
Dee
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Dee
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

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wendy
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by wendy »

That is interesting.
A friend's dog had something similar. Not certain if it was the same.
Best speak to the vet.
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Dee
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by Dee »

Im going to call into the vets this afternoon ...Ide hate the vet to think im trying to tell him how to do his job though but I have to try everything...
This morning he is very bright eating well and drinking plenty ...something these new tablets tend to do apparently....had a big puddle by the back door this morning but I did put some old thick towels down so im not at worried about that....
We are taking him to Scotland in August ...took him there last September and he was amazing...had a lovely time....so hopefully we will be sorted by then .
xx
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wendy
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by wendy »

If your vet is like mine, he will be pleased that you are concerned enough, to investigate more.
If your dog is in pain, then anything is worth looking at.
My Megan, 11 next week, also has thick bath towels down of a night. As she cannot go all night now.
Keep us posted.
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Dee
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by Dee »

The vet was very good ....I told him I wasn't trying to tell him how to do his job lol .....
He doesn't think its the MMM as there are definite changes and signs so I suppose that's good news ....
he says it could be an inflammatory thing of some kind in the muscles of his jaw ...
He has given him a course of steroids to take alone with the tablets he's on now , and he is doing well on these newtablets, very bright and walking well , Im still not giving him anything he has to chew as I don't want to aggravate anything....
But he could wee for England ! lol
xx
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wendy
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by wendy »

)grin2(

>fi< the tablets help
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Re: Elderly dog with mouth problem...

Post by Willow »

Like Wendy said - the joys of getting old :? .. Poor mite, I hope your pooch is a bit more comfortable now, he's got a great and careing mum {hug} x
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