[Avista]

When we moved here I was paying $95 to have my dog's (small) teeth cleaned. I decline blood work etc. Now it is up tp $200. Same vet. No teeth pulled. Was wondering if prices vary vet to vet. I'm ready to move on.

[SoozieQ]

I was quoted $600 by a local vet office very near TV. I took my pet to my vet up north and payed $300 as he had a few extractions. If your vet is guaranteeing $200, I suggest you go for it.

[jane032657]

My CPA husband has a lot of veteranarians for clients (well had, he just sold his practice here in Seattle but will be in The Villages in a few weeks)-he said that teeth cleaning is one of the big revenue generators for vets, huge income earner. Great clients to have!

[paulandjean]

Wow, Never new of such a thing.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Avista

When we moved here I was paying $95 to have my dog's (small) teeth cleaned. I decline blood work etc. Now it is up tp $200. Same vet. No teeth pulled. Was wondering if prices vary vet to vet. I'm ready to move on.

Avista, I think you should think twice before moving on! I recently had my small dog's teeth cleaned. I phoned around to a number of Villages Vet offices. Most Vets offices quoted $300 to $800. One of the posher Vets offices quoted $1,000 per dog. My Vet charged $200, and I think that is a bargain these days.

[bkcunningham1]

Pay $1000 to have your dog's teeth cleaned!!

[lightworker888]

Check out Tropiclean on line. I have been using it and it gets off the plaque and you don't need to do the cleaning at the vet. If the dog is on a good healthy diet, the saliva should keep the teeth in good shape. I use raw and grain-free for the most part. Check with Whole earth. I think they carry tropiclean.

LW888

[GeoGeo]

I paid about $251 for a dental cleaning for my dog. A little less at another vet for the other dog.

[Skybo]

I assume that most of you are talking about cleanings done under anesthesia? If so, you may want to try anesthesia-free cleanings. I have my dogs’ dentals done (anesthesia-free) at Buffalo Ridge Animal Hospital. I never would have believed that it could be done (for years I always had their dentals done under anesthesia before I moved here).

But my Vet at Buffalo Ridge recommended that I give the anesthesia-free cleaning a try. I’ve had it done once on each one of my dogs and they both did very well with it and their teeth appeared to be just as clean as when I had it done under anesthesia.

The dental hygienists that do the work travel around to different Vet’s office, so you have to book an appointment several months out. The way it works at Buffalo Ridge, the Vet does an oral exam (usually during their normal annual exam) and if they don’t see any obvious problems (teeth needing extractions), then they get you on the schedule for anesthesia-free cleanings. Then, if during the cleaning, the hygienist cannot complete the dental, either due to doggie discomfort, or if they see a tooth that needs an extraction, they stop the work at that time and allow you to schedule a cleaning under anesthesia, and there is no charge (for what has been done up to that point). I don’t have easy access to their records right now so I can’t tell you the cost, but I know that it was less expensive than a dental under anesthesia and, most importantly, it is a safer option. So you may want to check with your Vet to see if they provide this service, or call Buffalo Ridge to see what their prices are.

And for those who pooh-pooh dental cleanings for dogs...poor dental health (just like with humans) not only results in stinky breath, but it can be painful and possibly precipitate serious health conditions (such as heart disease). For whatever reason, some breeds or individual dogs are more susceptible to plaque build up and other dental problems than others. As Lightworker pointed out, a raw diet is the best option for preventing plaque and tartar build-up, but that’s a whole other topic.

I’ve tried various plaque prevention products over the years without much success. The best thing is daily brushing .... but ...

[Kimandhim19981@gmail.com]

Really, I have had pets for the last 50 years, we did not have to have them checked, injected, whatever every year and they lived for over 15 years (dogs) (18 years cats) I love my cat to death and I have been told she has to have her teeth cleaned, welcome to the new way of making money for us pet loving parents. (I have declined getting her teeth done) check it out, before you subject your baby to anything :-)

[Skybo]

Kimandhim, I too have had dogs all of my life. It’s true that many animals can and do live long healthy lives with minimal Vet checks and without having their teeth cleaned. With others, that is not the case. I think that all of us are smart enough to know if our pets have clean white teeth, healthy pink gums and fresh breath compared to stinky breath, inflamed gums and plaque-covered teeth. I don't know anything about cats, but with dogs, some breeds and individual dogs are more prone to dental disease than others. You know it when you see it. And when they have it, it can result in recessed and inflamed gums, rotting teeth, and possible serious health problems due to bacteria entering their bloodstream.

The best thing we can all do for our pets is to be informed, do our own research and find a Vet that we trust.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Skybo

And when they have it, it can result in recessed and inflamed gums, rotting teeth, and possible serious health problems due to bacteria entering their bloodstream.

You are absolutely right! I had a four-pound Yorkie, wonderful dog. Sadly, she died early because I didn't pay enough attention to her teeth. Her gums became inflamed, and bacteria entered her bloodstream, and her vital organs shut down. It happened quickly and it was too late to save her. It happened 20 years ago, and I still feel guilty. Now I'm very conscious of doggie dental needs.

[paulandjean]

Just do the right thing.Take this extra money that you are spending on cleaning your dogs teeth,and donate it. There are so many many children and young adults that do not have dental insurance. Many have gum problems and toothaches. Please think of their welfare first and not some dog.Contact your schools and many organizations in the area. Thats the right think to do.

[paulandjean]

PS, One of the hardest things to watch when I was teaching school,was young students with dental problems in class and them being in pain.Many times we would take donations so they would have relief. Many of times money came out of my pocket.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

Just do the right thing.Take this extra money that you are spending on cleaning your dogs teeth,and donate it. There are so many many children and young adults that do not have dental insurance. Many have gum problems and toothaches. Please think of their welfare first and not some dog.Contact your schools and many organizations in the area. Thats the right think to do.

I think we all need make our own decisions on "the right thing to do". How about this .... I won't tell you how to spend your money and you don't tell me how to spend mine.

I've donated money all my life to charities. I've worked for Meals on Wheeels, Salvation Army, CHATS, Visiting Seniors Homes with Therapy Dogs, on the Board of Directors for Big Sisters, TRACK (Therapeutic RIding for Disabled Kids), volunteered at hospitals, etc. I'm a good person and if I choose to spend money on my dog, that's my own personal decision, nothing to do with you.