Vet finds unusual tooth issue in 9-year-old dog
QMy husband and I moved to the Northeast about three years ago. We had been lazy and let our two Boston terriers’ vaccine updates lapse. I just took them in for exams and got their vaccinations up to date. Our 13-year-old female has had several issues in the past, including heartworm disease, a fractured hip and removal of the ball in the joint, and now again has bad teeth and an eye ulcer. Our 9-yearold male has almost no issues except the new vet pointed out a missing lower fang tooth on one side. He can only see what looks like the tip of the tooth. The doctor said it looked as if it never came out. Is that even possible? Nobody ever mentioned it in the past. Both dogs could use a teeth cleaning, but we worry about the oldest dog’s advanced age.
ABetter late than never, and you have gotten them caught up on vaccines. It sounds as if your older female dog has had her share of problems in the past. I presume that the heartworm disease was successfully treated.
The hip surgery you refer to is called a femoral head ostectomy, or FHO, wherein the head and neck of the femur are removed, allowing the overlying muscles to create a false sling. Surprisingly, this surgery has very successful outcomes in dogs and cats.
Corneal ulcers of the eye are fairly common in the breed. Sometimes a procedure is needed to stimulate healing, but it often can heal on its own.
As for your dental questions, I would have both dogs’ cleanings done if their preanesthetic bloodwork looks good and the veterinarian suggests you proceed. The male dog’s missing tooth may have broken off or fallen out. It is possible that it never properly erupted when the dog was a puppy. This can easily be determined when the cleaning is done using dental radiographs. Teeth that do not erupt properly should be removed due to the risk of the development of a dentigerous cyst, which can get large and cause local destruction of dental architecture and additional issues.
I’m sure you will be advised properly, and the veterinarian will do what is necessary.