Hi! I am new but felt compelled to tell my story. I adopted a Chi a few years ago. And she needed many teeth removed as she was abused and never had a dental. Her vet moved on, and I went to another vet office. I paid for very expensive dentals under anesthesia. Yearly. I took her in for a pre-op this year and found out, the new vet does not perform x-rays. Please,please learn from me and ensure your vet is taking x-rays under anesthesia. Most of a dog’s problems lie below the gum line. The vet said her teeth were in great shape and they are white too. But I took her elsewhere. And they do x-rays. And she needed 8 teeth pulled. Most were completely dead roots under the gums even though the teeth looked awesome. She had an abscess under the gum and a resorptive lesion. Worse part, the canine roots became rotten and totally exposed which created a oral nasal fistula requiring gingival flap reconstruction because the teeth were dead and the infection say and spread. Don’t take it just from me – it is recommended to have x-rays by all vet associations. My dog has so many stitches and is still suffering and healing. She can’t even eat anything hard yet and we had to take toys away to avoid ripping the fistula graft. Please, get x-rays. Dogs mask their pain and will swallow food so you may think all is well. Small dogs specially lack enzymes to break down tarter. And if a tooth is pulled somehow with no x-ray the roots can be left causing lifetime pain. Please hear my story and I pray it can truly help someone somewhere. Please. Thank you.
