By The Wiz
Let’s pretend you get a new dog. Let’s pretend you want to do the responsible thing and get him neutered. So you go to the vet, who checks him out and tells you he has horrible periodontal disease but other than that, he’s good. He says to make the neutering/teeth cleaning appt for next month, to give your new dog a chance to acclimate to his new environment.
So, about six weeks later, let’s pretend you go into the vet. You drop off your little bundle, and then leave for home. 5 minutes after you get home, the vet calls and tells you that your new dog’s heart rate is so low that putting him under anesthesia would kill him, so would you come pick him up? There’s not a whole lot we can do here. Last month his heart rate was fine, vet is unclear as to why the change. You go pick him up, and are sold a product for teeth cleaning that is about the 1/3 the cost of a professional cleaning and you cynically wonder why this product wasn’t offered you originally.
At the vet, they wonder if you want a referral to a “doggy cardiologist”, because it’s likely your dog might need a pace maker. As for the neutering, well, he’s just going to have to remain “intact.”
Let’s also pretend that you have been watching massive amounts of “The Dog Whisperer”on TV PLUS having the videos delivered to you, and besides being on Cesar overload, you are now more aware than ever of the importance of neutering, not just for the pet population problem, but also because an “intact” male will get very frustrated if he’s not given a chance to mate every 6 months. And you have never had a desire to become a dog breeder, not to mention the irresponsibility of purposely breeding a dog with a known heart problem. So now you’ve doomed your dog to be extra crazy. Gee, what a great life for him.
What do you do? Call the cardiologist? Live with semi-dirty teeth and frustrated dog and hope he doesn’t drop dead suddenly with no warning?
(Let’s keep in mind that you are aware that pets come with a lot of responsiblity but that you currently have two mortgage payments.)
I hope I don’t get too many rocks thrown at me for this, but I say live with the craziness that will come twice a year when he wants to mate (unless I’m interpreting it wrong). He’s a dog. Dogs are crazy anyway. the cardiologist route just seems…well, you know. You have two mortgages, and you might want to retire someday.
OR….could you find him a “fixed” female that he could, shall we say…get to know a little better? Like a neighbor’s dog or something?
(I fear this reply will finally uncover the ugly truth about me: I know nothing about animals.)
Comment #1 by mellocelloOctober 21st, 2008 at 4:17 pmI know very little about mating animals, I just know what Cesar says. But from what I gather, it’s not like he goes extra crazy every six months or anything, (the females do that with the heat) he’s just like any other male creature that isn’t getting any. Frustrated and bothered, except he only has to do it twice a year to get rid of the frustration. And that CAN turn into aggression, but I don’t think this particular dog would get aggressive if you put four million volts through him. A spayed female would hold no attraction for him.
Comment #2 by The WizOctober 21st, 2008 at 4:22 pmI’m going to get rocks thrown at me for this, but if his heart is so weak that he can’t be sedated, and leaving him intact might make him aggressive, you might want to consider either finding him a new home or putting him down.
I’m a farm girl at heart, and I’m pretty pragmatic about my pets. I can’t afford health insurance for myself for my husband right now, I’m sure not going to heroic measures for a dog. I loved my dog, but when he got cancer, I had him put down humanely. He is not my child.
Comment #3 by Tracy MOctober 21st, 2008 at 4:43 pmAgain, I’m not vet, but I do know that in humans, mild to serious gum disease can and will eventually lead to heart disease. In some cases the gum disease has gone way to far to correct, just maintain, and the heart disease, well that’s never good.
Connecting the dots, maybe this is the same for canines? Maybe this is why the vet had wanted to do the best for the dog at first and then seeing the (progressed) heart disease figured to just maintain the teeth; i.e. do the minimum but help ease the dog’s situation.
I am like Tracy on this one, if there isn’t money enough to care for the dog the humane thing is to find someone who can; or euthanasia.
Comment #4 by s'meeOctober 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pmMy vote. Have him fixed. What happens, happens. You won’t be putting him down or allowing him to breed. He might make it.
Comment #5 by JamiOctober 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pmHow old is your dog? I ask, because, well, I sadly have some experience with teeth-challenged dogs.
When my dad moved into an apartment, we inherited his 15 year old mutt. Things were fine. Except after a couple of days, it became clear that the disgusting tuna fish smell my entire house had acquired was not the garbage disposal or a dead animal stuck in the walls. It was the dog. Specifically, it’s breath.
The vet diagnosed advanced tooth decay which in turn had caused a serious heart problem. Oh, yeah, that explained why my dad gave me water pills for a dog. And why it had to have special low-salt food. And why it was very, very calm. Not much energy available there.
We were lucky. Only three weeks after moving in with us, she became completely incontinent and my dad agreed to have her put down. It was still hard, but probably should have happened years earlier.
Your vet was likely trying to help with the tooth treatment thing, but a dog in this condition won’t survive the anesthesia required when they scrape all the tartar off the teeth, so the next best thing is the medicine. In my experience, vets also won’t neuter a dog with a known condition, so you’re probably out of luck there.
Especially if this dog is at all getting on in years, have him put down. This will only get worse.
In case you’re wondering, we now brush our own dog’s teeth. Yep. The reminder of that fishy-smell is more than enough incentive.
Comment #6 by AhnaOctober 21st, 2008 at 5:48 pmWe had the same dilema regarding health care and our cat. He was a beautiful part Siamese and we all loved him but he started peeing on stuff that was left on the floor. The only advice I was given was take him to vet maybe there was a problem. We couldn’t afford that, we have 4 kids and my husband is a teacher. After the cat decieded the couch was a nice place to pee, I packed him up while the kids were at school (crying all the while) and took him back to the humane society where we had gotten him a year before.
Comment #7 by CDOctober 21st, 2008 at 6:20 pmWhat happened after that made me so angry. I was the 3rd person to bring him back, we had even kept him the longest at over a year (He was only 2) He had been returned before for peeing on stuff, he was nuetured and healthy. And they knew this when we adopted him. GRRRRRR!!! Because they have a 3 strike rule, he was put down. It would have saved alot of tears and pee smell if they had disclosed this before we adopted him.
Kids want a dog now, but there is no way we can afford the upkept on a dog.
He’s only 5. The vet made it clear that this specific thing is not teeth related, although he also made it clear that he could get additional heart problems from the bad teeth, which is why healthy teeth are important.
He wouldn’t survive getting fixed. Getting him fixed would be the exact same as putting him down, even if I could find a vet willing to do it.
If he gets aggressive, I would get rid of him. But he’s so NOT aggressive, it’s very strange to think he would ever go there. Of course, all things are possible.
For now, I’m going to try the medicine they gave, maybe talk to the cardiologist to get a “guesstimate” of what we’re talking about, but my gut says we’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing (cleaning the teeth, walking the dog) and just enjoy him for as long as we have him. If his quality of life gets really bad, we would put him down.
Comment #8 by The WizOctober 21st, 2008 at 6:26 pmWell, I certainly don’t have the experience of Cesar, but from anecdotal evidence, I think the ‘dog goes crazy if he can’t mate’ bit is nonsense. You’re more likely to experience aggressive or obnoxious behavior because of increased testosterone, but I think that’s it. The dog we had for years before neutering him certainly wasn’t crazy and an author whose blog I read has a couple of dogs that aren’t neutered and they’re fine. I think if you train him properly you’ll be fine. It doesn’t hurt to check with the cardiologist but I suspect that it’s going to be too expensive when you have your family and mortgages to worry about.
Comment #9 by FirebyrdOctober 21st, 2008 at 8:14 pmYears ago I had two dogs, same age, both intact. One started humping everything in sight, which was the only “aggression” either of them ever displayed. I did get him fixed, and the humping stopped. His brother never did have that behavior, so he was left intact (because I was a poor college student).
That said, if you have small children, you may want to be aware of that potential behavior.
I personally would see what his quality of life is and how he handles being intact (agression/randiness/whatever), and if he displays behaviors that are unacceptable, I’d put him down.
Comment #10 by EstherOctober 21st, 2008 at 8:47 pmAh, 5 years old? Heart problem unrelated to tooth decay? Keep him! Oh, and keep him away from the neighborhood dogs.
I’d do exactly what you plan. He really sounds like a fabulous dog.
Comment #11 by AhnaOctober 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pm“You’re more likely to experience aggressive or obnoxious behavior because of increased testosterone, but I think that’s it.”
Well, yeah. That’s what I was talking about. That aggressive and obnoxious behavior is largely due to hormones and frustration. But Cesar did say if you keep him really tired that would help too, and I’m walking him a lot, so I’m not anticipating a lot of problems. But I did want to do what I could to help him out, and neutering was a part of that. Also, you know, pet population and all that.
There are many ‘non crazy’ non neutered dogs out there, I didn’t mean to say they ALL go completely nuts or anything, but if you are having behavioral issues with your male dog, that’s the first question he asks.
And seriously, I had just watched like 3 episodes in a row where it came up, so I was really feeling it. Oh well.
Comment #12 by The WizOctober 21st, 2008 at 9:27 pmDogs don’t seem aggressive until they do something aggressive. I wouldn’t want to wait around to let my kid be the proof.
But beside that the heart, and the teeth are serious problems. Is a new dog worth all this trouble? There are plenty of healthy dogs that need homes too. I’d have him put down and try again.
*ducking*
Comment #13 by rjOctober 21st, 2008 at 10:40 pmI say cut your losses and put the dog down before he becomes your third mortgage payment. I know that’s cold, but I have been known to be called “Ice Queen” now and again. I didn’t even cry at “An Affair to Remember” (at which point my mother disowned me because I was soul-less.)
Comment #14 by SallygirlOctober 21st, 2008 at 11:03 pmTeeth problems cause health issues? Who knew.
rj, I think dogs do give warning signals before becoming aggressive, or at least, dogs don’t bite out of the blue. (Trust me, after having 2 dogs that bit, I’ve learned a thing or two about biting.) You just have to be aware of what those signals are. I’d watch him closely, keep walking him, and if the aggressive signals show up, I’d put him down. I definitely wouldn’t pay for a pacemaker. Sorry.
Comment #15 by Heather O.October 22nd, 2008 at 5:46 amI totally agree with Tracy M.
Of course I have more to add though. For the last year I’ve been trying to get a health diagnosis (for myself) from a Dr who just wasn’t giving me any answers. Last week I went to a new Dr and got all kinds of answers.
Get a second opinion before you do anything drastic. By drastic I mean letting him hump on your children or getting him put down.
Comment #16 by jendoopOctober 22nd, 2008 at 7:53 amI would never in a million years go to a doggy cardiologist. I can’t even form a coherent thought about it anywhere in my brain, so mine may not be the advice you’re looking for.
Comment #17 by JustRandiOctober 22nd, 2008 at 8:43 amBut when I read Jami’s comment, I had to agree.
Would it really be such a bad way to go?
Am I the only who read the following from Tracy’s comment #3 (”if his heart is so weak that he can’t be sedated”) and immediately thought she was going to reference your concern about his inclination to mate?
Seems you have a choice:
1) Risk killing him by neutering him.
2) Risk having him die while mating.
If he could give his own opinion, which do you think he would choose?
Comment #18 by RayOctober 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 amJustRandi and Jami - I CAN’T do that. Even if I wanted to, there is no vet out there that will say “OK, I’ll fix him, but he’s just going to die.” They just don’t put an animal under knowing he won’t make it.
I am surprised at the number of people that want me to put him down, actually. He’s not in pain, his quality of life is not bad, he’s just super mellow and wants a little sex now and then.
And dogs DO show signs of aggression before they get there, and this breed is known for being mellow. I’m not too worried about aggression, I guess the post made it sound like I was, more just frustration that would make him a little neurotic. He’s not a dangerous dog, and I’m not in denial about that. I watch Cesar a million times a day! I have learned so much about the signals of aggression, I’m fairly confident that I would recognize them. (Plus, the dog weighs 14 pounds, so he’s not knocking anyone over.) If he does get aggressive, he’s gone. I don’t keep aggressive dogs, no matter how cute.
I’m just going to keep him for as long as he is alive, and if that is a short time, then so be it. I just can’t see taking him to a shelter and letting somebody ELSE adopt him knowing he might possibly die shortly thereafter. That’s just wrong. And no (responsible) vet would put him down at this point. He’s just not sick enough, and there’s no way to know how long he’ll stay at this point - he might live another 5 years or so, or 5 months, it’s just unclear.
I’m not doing the pacemaker thing, though. I’m just going to live and let live and let nature take its course.
Comment #19 by The WizOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:08 amRay - I’m not mating him.
Comment #20 by The WizOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:08 amThis is hard. If you were my pet loving- save her dog over her own children- SIL you would absolutley fork over the money for the pacemaker. However she has no mortgage payments do to a horrible car accident that awarded her more than enough to cover mortgage, cars, investments, fun, etc… sooooo, that being said, is it an option to put the dog down or sell him?
Our family male dog wasn’t neutered for a while and let me tell you it gets worse. He chewed up my Mom’s bed spread (s) everytime that 6 month ‘drive’ came along, and he SPRAYED all the couches, walls, etc. to mark his territory. I recommend getting rid of him or going with the pacemaker and getting him fixed. I would NOT go with the ‘deal with his craziness’ option.
Comment #21 by 2boys1crazyMomOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 amWiz, let me rephrase my #2:
2) Risk having him die while humping everything in sight.
Better?
Comment #22 by RayOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:51 amwho is Cesar ?
Comment #23 by ModdyOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:57 amAh, Moddy, you are in for such a treat if you’ve never met Cesar. He is my hero. I have a huge crush on him. Go here and revel in the glory that is the Dog Whisperer.
Comment #24 by Heather O.October 22nd, 2008 at 12:17 pmRay - better, I guess, but he doesn’t hump everything in sight, so I don’t think there’s much of a risk there. He’s far more likely to die from a stroke or a blod clot than from mating or trying to mate. I’m not mating him mostly because it would be unethical to mate a dog with a known heart problem.
Moddy - Cesar Millan -http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/
2boys - Well, that sounds icky. I aways 100% choose kids over dog any day. He doesn’t chew anything, ever, not even dog bones, so I don’t think he would have the energy to destroy anything. As far as the spraying goes, I asked the vet about that, and he said that neutering helps that, but only if you neuter him young (like 6 months) before it starts. After that, if the dog marked before the neuter, he’s likely to mark after neutering as well.
I really can’t see the vet putting him down. Vets put dogs down if they’re aggressive or in pain or very close to death, not because their heart rate is low. I think if I brought him in and said ‘put him down’ they would take him to a shelter. And then he would get adopted in a heartbeat, because believe me, I’ve looked, and Cavaliers do NOT stay in shelters long. People take them home immediately. Then the new owner would try to neuter him, find this out, and possibly bring him back, only to have the cycle repeated over and over. I don’t think passing on the problem would be the right thing to do here. I mean, if I didn’t have the time to walk him or do any training due to family considerations, (like if I had a medically fragile child) that would be different. But I do have the time, and I think passing off the problem would just be wrong.
So I’m keeping him, I’m walking him, and spraying his teeth twice a day.
Comment #25 by The WizOctober 22nd, 2008 at 12:21 pmWiz, I’m surprised too at the number of comments saying have him put down. It’s not that easy. Vets don’t put down a dog just because an owner asks.
You’re doing the right thing. If we’re supposed to put down every dog who might be aggressive, well, that would be _every_ dog.
Comment #26 by AhnaOctober 22nd, 2008 at 12:34 pm@26 - and far too many men - and a bunch of women.
Comment #27 by RayOctober 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 pmOK, I revise my former vote. Get him a love toy and call it good.
Comment #28 by JamiOctober 22nd, 2008 at 2:29 pmOur “no kill” SPCA does a thorough examination when they receive dogs or cats. If there is an indication of a major problem, they euthanize the animal. They will not place it. Sad, but that’s the policy.
Comment #29 by JamiOctober 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pmVets DO put animals down because an owner wants it. Probably not all vets, but I personally know people that have had dogs put down because they didn’t have the desired markings for their breed, because their kids wanted a small dog and because they weren’t mean enough. The animals were put down by a certified vet-not disposed of by the owner and a gun. Animals are considered property but you can also be fined or jailed for mistreating them. It’s kind of strange if you think about it.
Comment #30 by BeckyOctober 22nd, 2008 at 5:09 pmFixing my animals is not even a question for me. ALL my animals will be spayed or neutered and will have all appropriate vaccines. I’ve seen too many unwanted animals come to horrible ends. But what if it risked their life? I don’t have an answer for you but you have really made me think.
On the nuetering issue… WHY does the dog need to be put under for this? They don’t usually do it to humans, they don’t do it to cows or horses. Why not a local anesthetic? I am not familiar enough with dog anatomy (mine were already neutered), but if the (ahem) undesired parts hang low enough, I know there are methods that just stop circulation to that area (think rubber band around it) and it eventually dies and falls off. Gross, but theoretically painless. I think if neutering is the problem, there should be other solutions.
Comment #31 by RebeccaOctober 22nd, 2008 at 5:53 pmPlease, at least warn a fellow before taking about ways to remove “the undesired parts.” Something like the following would be appreciated:
“Any men who might be reading this thread, be aware that I’m going to be talking about rubber bands and loss of circulation. If the very thought of that makes you wince and sleep with one eye open, you might not want to continue reading this comment.”
Comment #32 by RayOctober 22nd, 2008 at 7:36 pmIs your dog having any symptoms of cardiac insufficiency? If not, a 14 pound with a low heart rate may live a very long time if you keep his teeth clean.
Maybe call around and see if there is a Vet willing to neuter him under a local atheistic?
Comment #33 by HowardOctober 22nd, 2008 at 8:37 pmthose of you who said “put him down” clearly are not animal lovers, and have not seen the joy on your sweet babies faces when you get home from work and they get crazy excited just at the sight of you. When your kids get aggressive do you “put them down?” Try looking a dog in the eye when you tell them “you just weren’t worth it” I’m sorry NO. Please don’t rubberband any part of an animal, the only reason it doesn’t “bother” the cow is the fact that unlike dogs he can’t lean down and chew off the rubberband, leaving him in pain and not being able to deal. Oh no! My dog is 5 and neutered and marks his territory, it’s a dog thing as long as it’s not on your furniture or family let it rest. By the way, Amen to Cesear!
Comment #34 by KaitlynOctober 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 pmI don’t think they can do a neuter with a local anesthetic, my vet didn’t bring it up, and my quick internet research is saying it has to be a general.
However, I think I’ll call around tomorrow and see if that’s a possibility. I didn’t think that was an option, but if it is, that would certainly be the way to go.
Howard - what would be the symptoms of cardiac insufficiency?
Comment #35 by The WizOctober 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 pmShortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance, difficulty breathing, coughing, swollen abdomen, fainting, etc.
Comment #36 by HowardOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 pm#34: “those of you who said “put him down” clearly are not animal lovers, and have not seen the joy on your sweet babies faces when you get home from work and they get crazy excited just at the sight of you. When your kids get aggressive do you “put them down?” Try looking a dog in the eye when you tell them “you just weren’t worth it” I’m sorry NO.”
I did used to be an animal lover. Had two dogs, two cats, loved them tons, loved seeing their faces, took good care of them … But they were not my children or like children and there did come a day I had to make a choice between living in my car with my pets and infant daughter or living with my parents with daughter but without pets (mother being deathly allergic to cats and dogs), and I made the choice for my child. I miss them at times, but really, I’d rather not have pets anymore. My children and husband (not to mention my mother and allergic nephew) are a much higher priority than animals of any sort.
Comment #37 by EstherOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 pmI don’t really know on the reduced exercise tolerance, because when I got him, he plain WOULD NOT WALK. Frozen city. I think it was a fear issue more than defiance. I’ve been working with him, and now he’ll walk on a leash for a little while, and seems to enjoy it, but 20-30 minutes does kind of wipe him out. I chalked that up to the fact that he was never really walked before (out of shape)and that he’s little.
He ‘wheezes’ a little occasionally, but there’s no coughing, swollen abdomen, or fainting.
So..I guess the answer is…maybe?
Comment #38 by The WizOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:19 pmOh, and let’s not fight, people. I asked for opinions. Yours are welcome. Kids are higher priority than dogs, it is true, and sometimes painful decisions must be made.
Comment #39 by The WizOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:34 pmWell, it sounds like he is easily fatigued. I would call around and talk to some Vets, explain the problem including his symptoms.
Comment #40 by HowardOctober 22nd, 2008 at 10:42 pmHi–I see that you are getting a bunch of responses, so as a breeder I want to offer some advice.
1) Commercial products to clean teeth don’t work as well as professional scaling and polishing, which is why they are cheaper and a second choice. However, what he really needs is to get his teeth healthy by eating properly. What are you feeding? He needs to be off any kind of grains or fillers and either fed a raw diet (which is absolutely best) or a grain-free diet that is supplemented by edible bones. Chewing through bones is what scrapes the tartar and ick off the teeth, and cutting out the grains prevents decay.
2) It’s categorically not true that male dogs need to breed every six months. Cesar is an absolute genius about many things, but he’s not a breeder. I know hundreds of intact male dogs (I’m a show breeder, so I show my own dogs and know many other breeders) and they’re all happy, healthy, and well behaved, despite the fact that they often never sire a litter or may only produce one or two during their lifetimes. Male dogs are not like females; they do not go into heat every six months. My best guess is that Cesar has seen male dogs get frustrated when they can see and smell an in-heat female, but as long as your male dog doesn’t live with or next to an intact female he will not know what he’s missing and his quality of life will be perfectly high.
3) I’m ticked off at your vet, if that’s what he told you about the heart and he just gave you some medication without telling you exactly what the problem is. Abnormally slow heart rate is a SYMPTOM, not a disease. Heart meds for dogs are a big fat hairy deal and they’re very dangerous. What he should have done is immediately referred you to a vet cardiologist who could give you an actual diagnosis. This does not mean a pacemaker, it means that you’d know what’s wrong and have your best chance of fixing it. If the dog has an adrenal problem like Cushings, that’s treatable. If the dog has cardiomyopathy, it’s substantially less treatable and you are looking at only a few weeks or months of life and neutering is the last thing you should be worrying about. Stethoscopes don’t diagnose heart problems and nobody should be giving out heart meds based on auscultation. You go get an ultrasound and an educated diagnosis and go from there.
My next step if I were you would be to make an appointment at your local vet university to see a cardiologist. The appointment and the ultrasound will cost you maybe $400, possibly extra for blood tests, and will give you an actual diagnosis and some possibilities for treatment.
If the dog has something that is treatable and won’t alter the dog’s lifespan according to the cardiologist, switch his diet to take care of the teeth and medicate the dog however the cardiologist suggests. If the cardiologist sees something like cardiomyopathy or severe scarring, then take the dog home and feed him twinkies and love him up for as long as you have.
Thanks for being a responsible owner and I hope things turn out for the very best.
Comment #41 by Joanna KimballOctober 23rd, 2008 at 2:47 pmSorry, let me clear this up - the vet did NOT give me heart meds, I didn’t mean to make it sound that way. He only gave me stuff for his teeth. He offered to refer me to a cardiologist but did tell me it would cost around $350-$550 just to get a diagnosis, and treatment would be above and beyond that. He guessed it was “bundle branch block” that would need a pacemaker but also told me it WAS just a guess, and that he wasn’t qualified to make any diagnosis. I think he is a good vet, I’ve been pretty happy with him.
And I know he can be happy without mating, but if it can help him stay balanced, I was happy to do it. Oh well.
Comment #42 by The WizOctober 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 pmOh, and he’s eating dry food that has Cesar’s picture on it.
http://www.petco.com/product/106471/Dog-Whisperer-by-Cesar-Millan-Canine-Adult-Formula-Dog-Food.aspx
I know, I’m obsessed. It’s OK, you can say it.
Comment #43 by The WizOctober 23rd, 2008 at 3:19 pmI should have known
.
Dog Whisperer food is just Castor and Pollux’s organic chicken formula, http://www.castorpolluxpet.com/store/organix/organix_adult_canine_formula , and as far as I know is the identical product in a different bag.
It’s a better food than some, that’s for sure, and I’m glad that Cesar has gotten away from feeding cheap food, but it still has a bunch of grain and root vegetable ingredients that promote bacterial growth, and it doesn’t clean teeth. I know, everybody’s told you that kibble is better for teeth, but that’s like saying that you can brush your teeth by eating potato chips. The kibble breaks apart next to the teeth and doesn’t clean them at all. The dog has to sink his teeth through something to actually clean them.
So you could feed the nutritionally bankrupt Science Diet tooth food (t/d, which is engineered to be like loofas the dog eats) or you can feed edible bone–chicken backs, chicken wings, turkey necks, pork neckbones, etc.
I am glad to hear that your vet did refer you to a cardiologist. I’d encourage you to make an appointment if you possibly can - there’s every possibility that this is fixable.
Comment #44 by Joanna KimballOctober 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 pmSo tell me where to get this good stuff. Do I just ask a butcher? And is it like one bone a day? If it doesn’t have a package telling me how much to give, I’m at a loss.
Comment #45 by The WizOctober 23rd, 2008 at 4:18 pmI have an article on my website that I give to all my prospective puppy owners–it’s noncommercial (because goodness knows I get no money if you go to your local butcher) and I don’t have any puppies for sale now or anytime soon. So purely for information so I don’t have to bore you with a six-page blog comment: http://www.intergate.com/~dougk32/bsdiet.html
Comment #46 by Joanna KimballOctober 23rd, 2008 at 6:40 pmI don’t know if anyone else has suggested this, and I don’t know if you would be able to do this, but I’ve had a couple of friends neuter their dogs buy wrapping a rubber band around their doodads tight enough to cut the circulation off. They eventually just fell off, and they didn’t have to pay a vet, or put their dogs under. I guess it’s what they did growing up on farms in Idaho when they needed to castrate a calf. Just an idea.
Comment #47 by NaomiOctober 28th, 2008 at 4:19 pmHow about a 2nd opinion from another vet?
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