A couple of months ago, our 11 yr. old male mini dachshund had an infection in the gum around one of his back teeth. It was causing terrible breath, but the vet put him on antibiotics and it went away in a couple of days. The past couple of days we have noticed the odor again, and had planned to take him back, but noticed this morning that one of his front teeth on the top is loose, and about to fall out. He will be taken to the vet tomorrow if possible, but in the meantime what should we do? We are afraid it might fall out and he could choke, but we don't want to pull it either. He is in pain, and is just laying around which is very unusual for him. Is this normal for a dachshund this age? Any info would help. Thank you.

My husband says that everyone he knows who ever had dachshunds had the same problem. It is probably hereditary. (from me, try feeding some chopped parsley in his food, this is excellent for bad breath)

I wouldn't worry about him choking. There is never a problem when puppies lose their teeth, even a puppy molar which is fairly large, perhaps as large as an adult from tooth. Half a 325 mg buffered aspirin might ease his pain tonight. Aspirin is one of the few over the counter pain relievers safe for dogs. Do not give Tylenol or other newer pain killers to a dog.

Thank you so much. I feel so bad for him; I know he doesn't feel good, but I didn't know what to do for his pain. He really his my "child".