[tvdango]

Hi

My 10-year-old labrador has 2 broken teeth (upper back teech), and I took him to a vet dentist. He said he would try a root canal first, and when it was impossible he would remove the teeth. And the cost will be between $2,500 and $3,000. My primary vet said a tooth extraction would be inexpensive a little, but the vet dentist said it would be same.

I'd like to know if the amnesthia is really safe for an older dog, and if this cost is adequate. I live in California.

Thank you.

[Alty]

I think that your best bet is to shop around. I know that dental care on a dog can be expensive but that does sound a bit steep. Then again I live in Canada, so I'm not sure.

Stick around and check back often, hopefully someone else with more info will come along to answer your question. :)

[starbuck8]

I would get a second opinion! The cost does seem awfully high to me. Do you live in an expensive part of CA... as in LA? As far as the anesthsia goes, that really would depend on your dogs overall health.

With that said, I would make sure you take care of this problem. A dogs dental problems can effect their overall health, and can cause things like heart problems.

I wish I could be of more help to you, but as I said, I would definitely get a second, and even third opinion.

[tvdango]

I would get a second opinion! The cost does seem awfully high to me. Do you live in an expensive part of CA....as in LA? As far as the anesthsia goes, that really would depend on your dogs overall health.

Eventually, I went to another vet and got a quote. His cost was almost half of the former vet's, and it also includes a surgery to remove 2 fatty tumors. So my dog will have a surgery next week for 2 teeth extractions and 2 tumors removal at the same time.

Now I wonder if it's too much to him although the vet said no problem.

Hope somebody out there had same experience.

[starbuck8]

Aww, the poor little guy! Did the vet do a full examination of his overall health? I would imagine he would have, to be able to tell you that he will be fine through the surgery. I would maybe ask a few questions, if you haven't already. Like how many vets will be present during the procedure, if the vet administering the anaesthesia is licenced to be a pet an anaesthetist, how long your dog will be under etc. The same questions you would ask if you had a human loved one going in for surgery. I would also ask if your dog has to fast for a certain period before the surgery, and if there is anything you can do to make it easier on him ahead of time, and in aftercare, and everything you will need to do to keep him comfortable.

I'm sure he will be just fine. Give him some extra loving before he goes, and the main thing is, (and I know this will likely be hard) when you take him in for his surgery, do it as calmly and positively as you can, so your dog doesn't feel nervous energy from you. If he feels that you are upset and nervous, he will be too! Try your best to pretend that you are going on a nice walk on a beach, so he isn't under anymore stress than he needs to be. I'm sure your vet will take very good care of him after that.

You might want to check into pet insurance after this. You've seen how expensive these vet visits can get. I'm looking into a few different companies now myself. I'm in Canada, but there is a newsletter I get where there is a U.S. company, and their rates seem to be pretty reasonable. If you want, I could send you a link to their site. It's sure better than having to shell out one big lump sum, in an emergency.

Best of luck to your fur babe with his procedure, and I'm sure he'll be up and playing again in no time! :)