[rizzo]

I brought my 9-year-old Dachshund Susie to the vet today because she had a lump under her eye. I watched it because I thought it was a bug bite, and the swelling went down. I brought her to the vet because it swelled up again and turns out, it's a carnassial abcess.

The vet recommended that they remove the tooth. It's a big molar in back, so I was wondering if it would affect how she ate? I give her kibble (no wriggling squirrels or anything she'd actually need those teeth for) but would it be too weird for her to eat kibble without that tooth?

Also, it's a major dental surgery. She has to be put under. I'm waiting to hear back from the blood test first, and then I'm gonna bring her in. She's never been put under before. How do they react? Is she going to be excessively tired? (I've never had anesthesia either, so I really am clueless here)

I'm very nervous, as she has been completely healthy and has never needed any sort of surgery. Has anyone ever dealt with this before? Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

[agility collie mom]

Having pre-surgery bloodwork done is the best thing you can do for your dog. It will tell the doc how all her organs are functioning. This way they will know what would be the safest anesthetic for her. Yes dog can eat hard kibble without a molar or two. In fact at the clinic I work at we sometimes have to remove all or almost all of some dogs teeth. They still can eat hard kibble (amazing). Yes she will be tired after surgery. Most vets send home pain meds and antibiotics. Healing time is fairly quick as the mouth tends to heal nicely. Hang in there you.

 

[lovemygreys]

Our foster greyhound just had a fourth premolar removed...I didn't want to wait for it to abcess. He never skipped a meal and is doing just fine. It is major dental surgery, so make sure your vet sends you home with the appropriate pain relief...we used an anti-inflammatory (rimadyl) and pain killer (tramadol) for a couple days after Matt's dental.

Your dog will be able to eat just fine. As for the anethesia...well, it's always a risk whenever they are put under but the presurgery bloodwork is the best thing you can do so your vet can assess major organ function pre-surgery.

With a tooth that's already abcessed, I'm surprised your vet hasn't started your dog on anti-biotics already. Even with Matt's tooth that wasn't abcessed, he was on antibiotics b/c we knew he'd have at least one -major- extraction (also two of his smaller front teeth were removed as well).

 

[rizzo]

lovemygreys, the vet did put Susie on antibiotics (Clavamox). The swelling has gone down a lot, but it's still present. She had the pre-surgery bloodwork done yesterday, so I'm just waiting on the results.

Since she is going to be in a lot of pain after the surgery, should I keep her separate from my other dog, Sadie? I don't want Sadie to agitate her or Susie to fight her because she is in pain...

 

[3212]

lovemygreys, the vet did put Susie on antibiotics (Clavamox). The swelling has gone down a lot, but it's still present. She had the pre-surgery bloodwork done yesterday, so I'm just waiting on the results.

Since she is going to be in a lot of pain after the surgery, should I keep her separate from my other dog, Sadie? I don't want Sadie to agitate her or Susie to fight her because she is in pain...

At the clinic I work at we usually recommend you keep dogs separate for at least the rest of the evening/afternoon and next day if necessary. I swear it AMAZES me how fast dogs bounce back from things like this!

Obviously it depends on the dog, but we've had some dogs with several teeth pulled who are looking for food the same evening! By the next day when they are allowed food again, they will chow down as if nothing happened!

Good luck on the bloodwork and the surgery!

 

[Willowy]

My mom's cat had the same thing happen. She was actually a lot less cranky after the procedure than she was before. I guess her teeth were really bothering her, and getting rid of the nastiness was really a relief. She didn't get any painkillers (tricky in cats), and she still felt better afterward.

 

[lovemygreys]

The only time we separate dogs after surgery is after a spay. The pain from a dental/extraction is pretty easily managed with drugs...

Of course we have greyhounds that are pretty laid back to begin with. When your dog comes home the vet, she may still be groggy or the pain meds may make her a little groggy so I would just make sure your other dog doesn't annoy her or jump on her.

Good to hear the antibiotics have started working