Yohoo Chessmind - got one for you

it's dog related though (hope you don't mind - send the bill to vene :0017: )

my dog...I came home tonight and noticed her muzzle was swollen so I looked at her teeth and gums. Being rather familiar with personal dental issues - I noticed her gums are really red and her upper canines have a black band going all the way 'round them. Dental issues you think or a bee sting?

She's never had dental problems before (I have a credit at the vet's office so I guess it's time for an incident). Any idea what the black band around her canines might indicate? Infection? Affecting her gums too? Causing her muzzle to swell up? Wasn't swollen this morning.

I can't imagine them wanting to put her under anesthesia to pull teeth - particularly her canines.

 

Hi Mary. Although periodontal problems can cause inflammation of the gums, it wouldn't actually cause her entire muzzle to swell up. If it was dental related a swollen muzzle would most likely be due to either some kind of trauma in the mouth or an abscess from an infected tooth. However, if it was from an abscessed tooth, the swelling would be more localized to one side of her muzzle and not the entire muzzle. The exception would be if she happened to have more than one abscess and they happened to be on opposite sides, so that the entire muzzle would be swollen.

A few weeks ago Romeo got stung by a bee, right on his upper lip and his whole lip and nose swelled up pretty bad. He had to see the vet right away. Did you try and feel around both the outside and the inside parts of her muzzle to see if you could locate a stinger from a bee? I know it's like looking for a needle in a hay stack. Not to mention it may no longer be there. It's worth a look, though if you have not already done so. You may also just want to feel around on the inside of her muzzle to see if she got something wedged in there and it's causing the swelling.

As for the 'black line' around her teeth, I'm assuming this is on her teeth and not her gums? If it's on her teeth, animals are prone to getting cavities right along the gum line and it's usually associated with periodontal disease. Or it may also be a collection of tartar/calculus and blood all mixed together, as periodontal problems cause the gums to bleed.

I hope I answered your question. I think she just needs a trip to the vet to have her teeth and gums looked at. They will most likely tell you she needs a good cleaning and possibly that she has some teeth related issues. Hopefully, she won't need to have any teeth pulled out. One more thing, they now do dental work on animals( fillings,crowns and so on).

 

thanks for the Dental 101 :y_the_best: I plan on getting her to vet tomorrow after my tires get changed (first thing in the am - couldn't probably get her into the vet until late morning anyway unless it's truly an ER situation which I don't think this is).

Please send the bill for your valuable information to Vene :mrgreen:

 

[-X :-& :m39: :m20: Good luck on Sadie's appointment and who's changing your tires?

 

LOL. You're welcome. One more thing. If she has a tendency to get stung by bees, you may want to ask your vet to give you Benadryl pills to take home. My vet gave me some to give to Romeo and Juliet if they get stung again, as they still have this strange notion that bees are to be played with at all times. :roll: Hopefully, they will learn soon enough. The liquid Benadryl is just way too bitter for animals. I gave Romeo liquid Benadryl three times and I swear he was acting like he was going to die from it each and every time. He's such a drama king.

 

Sadie's face wasn't as swollen this morning but I'm going to take her in anyway (gets me out of work early :lol: ) and I really want to have her teeth/gums checked. She hasn't had a dental in awhile as the vet doesn't like to put her under but I think it's going to be time to take that chance.

I'll ask about the Benadryl for her too.

Vene should I have the tire changing bill sent to you also? :kiss_her: just think of it as an early b-day gift and while you're at it how about the vet bill :-#

 

:m13: Why am I getting bashed? Haven't I lost enough money lately??? :shock:

Mary, hope the vet visit goes well! Good luck!

 

LOL vene....okay I'll pay for the tires :wink:

 

Hi Mary. Doesn't your dog have some kind of kidney problem? If so, the bacteria in her mouth from her periodontal problems enter the bloodstream and can make matters worse for not only her kidneys, but her liver and heart as well. Only a vet will be able to tell you what is more dangerous: Having periodontal problems and letting this bacteria get into her system or putting her under anesthetic to treat the periodontal problem. It's a tough call. Unfortunately, the only way to really get under the gum tissue and remove all the buildup and do pocket probings is under anesthetic.

 

yes Chess....I went through this year ago with a CRF cat I had. She got biannual cleanings due to the rotten shape of her teeth/gums and everytime she went I had to keep my fingers crossed - and SAdie's kidneys probably aren't in great shape

 

Sorry about your kitty you had and Sadie's current condition. On the lighter note. I've been brainstorming. Send all the bills to Lynn. She always has extra cash for Max and she'll have spare change for you! :mrgreen: O

 

should have done the xmas card exchange then I'd have everyone's snail mail addy to send the bills to :y_the_best: