Oooohhhhhh!! I'm a bad wiener mom!

[Wienergal]

The vet just called to say that Farfel got through his surgery just fine and is lying, all doped up, in his recovery cage, thumping his tail whenever anyone walks by.

BUT...he had another bad tooth, as well as the one that caused the abscess. I guess I have not been taking care of my doggies' teeth as well as I should. http://dachsie.org/ubb/crying.gif

So, advice, please, on how you all take care of your wiener teeth... Do you use a toothbrush, fingerpad, just your finger? And what kind of toothpaste substance do you use? And how often?

I feel really bad about this. http://dachsie.org/ubb/kfrown.gif

[Mickamack]

Nooo, you're not a bad mommy. I bet Farfel would never say that you were a bad mommy. I think the teeth are an easy place to overlook in routine care. I know that I am not as careful and attentive as I should be in that area. Farfie may just need some more dental attention. We just try our best and learn as we go along.

You are a great mommy!

[Krista]

I use a canine toothpaste that is poultry flavored -Rudy Love it. The brand name begins with a "P" and it is in a red/white tube. I get it at Petsmart. I also use a canine toothbrush (one big end and one small end). Actually the starter kit I bought had the toothpaste, brush and a finger brush for a reasonable price. I used the finger brush til Rudy got used to me poking in his mouth, but the literature I read suggested that you must use a real brush to get along the gumline very well. I try to brush Rudy's teeth two or three times a week, but recently I heard that experts are reccommending daily brushing.

You cannot use human toothpaste (I Know you wouldn't try it) because the chemicals in them are toxic if the dog swallows it -and they do swallow it. I have heard that people with smaller dogs just buy a child's toothbrush to save money. You should replace them every few months just like you do with your own toothbrush.

Rudy is little so I can't say that my methods will prevent trouble down the road, but I'm trying http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[doxielover]

Pamela, don't forget that Farfie is 7-8 yrs.old? If this is the first time he's had a bad tooth (or two), I'd say that's pretty darn good! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif I'm not as attentive as I should be, I have the canine toothpaste & brush (I just use a child's size brush), but I just got out of the habit lately, I need to start again. I just recently took Freddie for his annual shots, etc. and the Vet pointed out to me that the most vulnerable area for decay is in the upper OUTER gumline, as it's drier up there, and saliva can not help wash out debri (sp?). So, just a hint there; to pay extra attention in that area when brushing. So far, Freddie's teeth are in good shape http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif, but I do open his mouth occasionaly and examine for cracked teeth and so forth. Happy brushing Pam! http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

Susan

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Pamela!
I just know you are soooo neglectful of your dogs! Anyone who spends all their time with their weenies must be a "bad mom". Right.

Just think, Farf can have TWO gold teeth now!
http://dachsie.org/ubb/bounce.gif

I can imagine you holding the giant Farfel whilst you brush his tootsies with chicken flavored paste. Send me a pict. Heheheheh.
Wotan hopes Farf milks his owies for all he's worth...
Smiles, Sonja

[Penny's Aunt]

I forgot to tell you that I got a message from late in the night from Farfie that said no matter what teeth had to come out, he wanted the gold ones in front so they would show! I guess I forgot to pass the word. Sorry.

Dental problems come from a variety of sources: too much candy, not enough chew toys, the pH of the saliva, & probably the configuration of the teeth themselves (like children's teeth- some have deep crevices that are impossible to reach with a toothbrush). Some animals are even allergic to their own teeth, believe it or not. (Really, it's true!)

Don't beat yourself up over it. If dachsies chewed their food, it might be different if they lost a lot of teeth. But as it is, most of them are simply siphon hoses with short fur. How can tartar form on something the food never touches, anyway? It's probably one of the mysteries of vet medicine.

[Pam C]

They have those cool green rings that are suppose to brush the teeth while the dog chews them. I've wanted to try them, but I use a tooth brush, no..no.. I mean my dogs would inhale them.

[Wienergal]

Farfie had a really bad doggy-day yesterday. Not only did he have the "dental procedure," but they also clipped his claws, AND he got only baby food for dinner (no kibble, no chewies, no biscuits), AND last night we had horrendous thunderstorms. http://dachsie.org/ubb/crying.gif http://dachsie.org/ubb/crying.gif Having heard the forecast, I asked the vet for some serious tranquilizers for him. So he was sore in jaw and claw, hungry, and dopey. I'm sure his gums hurt, since they did a thorough cleaning while they were at it.

Penny's Aunt, it turns out that the loose tooth WAS in the front--right next to the left upper canine! I think a gold tooth would look pretty cool there! http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif

And yes, Farfie turns eight big red years old in a month, and this is his first dental problem. I admit--I have not brushed my dogs' teeth. I figure with all the chewing on Boodas and bones they do, and the fact that they eat really good food, that ought to take care of any problems. Guess not.... Maybe Farfie is just prone to dental problems.

Penny's Aunt (or anyone else), why is it that the dogs we had when we were kids lived to be very old, never had their teeth brushed, and didn't seem to have such problems? Was it just luck? Our dog Pepper had to be put down at almost 20 years of age, and if you had told my dad to brush her teeth regularly, he would have given you The Dad Look (you know: the same look he gave you when you suggested that maybe he should let his hair grow a little or trade in his Sans-A-Belts for some bellbottoms....). http://dachsie.org/ubb/lol.gif

[wireweiners]

If Farfel is 8 years old and hasn't had any tooth problems, he's been doing great. Some dogs, like some people, have better teeth than others. Pippin is 10 1/2, had his teeth cleaned once about 4 years ago and his teeth are very clean. His litter brother Buddy had his teeth cleaned 2 years ago and needs it again. After Pippin eats he will go get his chocolate nylabone and chew it awhile like he's brushing his teeth.

The toothpaste Krista is referring to is called Petrodex. You can get it at Petsmart and I think I've seen it at Wal-Mart. There is also a mouthwash called Nolvadent that is good for killing bacteria and keeping doggy breath at bay. I try to brush teeth about once a week. Since I have 7 dogs, each day one of them gets put on the table for ears, teeth and toenails plus a brushing and going over. The furkids refer to it as dog torture. http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif.

[Tina]

Well, I can tell more about bad wiener moms. My good friend, Helgas breeder, who is a vet herself, has a miniature wire-haired dachsie George. She is very conscientious about her dogs and their health and still: one day when she had a look at George´s mouth (perhaps after some slightly longer pause) she noticet that his teeth were in such condition that several teeth had to be removed, including one canine tooth. And that was very embarassing for George who is perhaps a little too eager to use his teeth. When he tried to bite the cat of the house in the tail, the cat did not notice it. What a shame for a fearsome doxie! http://dachsie.org/ubb/redface.gif

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Tina!
I have this picture of a small wirewiener with a puckered mouth who has to eat mash potatoes and soaked doughnuts...

Do they make doggie false teeth? Wotan would order Doberman teeth and look really tough...
http://dachsie.org/ubb/redface.gifogle:

[This message has been edited by WOTANSMUTTI (edited May 10, 2000).]

[Dolly's Mom]

http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif Don't you think Farfel would look KEWL with a pair of BILLY BOB teeth?

[2DogsLong]

The Canadian would like to know kind of teeth Billy Bob has.

I heard that tusks are all the rage on the doggie runways in Europe.

You could be the first on your block with a saber-toothed dachshund.

[doxielover]

http://dachsie.org/ubb/facelick.gifWireweiners, CHOCOLATE nylabones?? They must be new, I'll look for them! Where did ya get it?

Susan