Grace Erick
04-12-2005, 01:00 PM
I just had my dog's teeth cleaned professionally. They gave her morphine first since they say that way they give her less anesthesia (gas) which was isoflourane. Some vets use ketamine w/valium first. I think the morphine is better, but I'm not 100% on that. Both my vets preferred that. It helps with pain if there is any after extractions or after being "fixed".
I started using my finger along her teeth with paste until she gets used to it, then comes the finger brush. I found out the paste has enzymes it it to break down the stuff on their teeth, so even applying some with your finger is somewhat helpful, but they should be brushed.
Chihuahuas do tend to have more dental problems that some other dogs, so you need to keep up on cleaning them, but I read that other dogs will get gingervitis sometime in their life.
I stayed in the hospital until it was completed, because I felt that most of the danger of being under anesthesia was over then. I came back at 3pm to pick her up and she was in good shape, not drowsy. I timed it so that I was the first client, so she did not have to go into a cage to wait for her cleaning, then I left her fleece blanket for the cage afterwards.
I started using my finger along her teeth with paste until she gets used to it, then comes the finger brush. I found out the paste has enzymes it it to break down the stuff on their teeth, so even applying some with your finger is somewhat helpful, but they should be brushed.
Chihuahuas do tend to have more dental problems that some other dogs, so you need to keep up on cleaning them, but I read that other dogs will get gingervitis sometime in their life.
I stayed in the hospital until it was completed, because I felt that most of the danger of being under anesthesia was over then. I came back at 3pm to pick her up and she was in good shape, not drowsy. I timed it so that I was the first client, so she did not have to go into a cage to wait for her cleaning, then I left her fleece blanket for the cage afterwards.