Petsmart Dog Dental cleaning?

[Happiest mommy]

Hi DISers hope you can help we rescued our second fur baby almost a year ago she is 2 years old I brush my first fur babies teeth and started with my second fur baby as soon as I got her she is very gentle and good about it (the sweetest lil dog) she gets fed dry Wellness and her treats are Greenies well her breath has been very bad lately and her tooth brush comes out with a bit of blood she is scheduled for her wellness checkup next week at Petsmart and I was going to ask the vet about her teeth i'm guessing she will need a cleaning, I'm a bit scrared because I have heard bad stories of dog dieing due to the Anesthesia etc for those of you guys that have had your fur babies teeth cleaning done at Petsmart please tell me about your experience I just want the best for her TIA

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Hi DISers hope you can help we rescued our second fur baby almost a year ago she is 2 years old I brush my first fur babies teeth and started with my second fur baby as soon as I got her she is very gentle and good about it (the sweetest lil dog) she gets fed dry Wellness and her treats are Greenies well her breath has been very bad lately and her tooth brush comes out with a bit of blood she is scheduled for her wellness checkup next week at Petsmart and I was going to ask the vet about her teeth i'm guessing she will need a cleaning, I'm a bit scrared because I have heard bad stories of dog dieing due to the Anesthesia etc for those of you guys that have had your fur babies teeth cleaning done at Petsmart please tell me about your experience I just want the best for her TIA

It is not actually PetSmart that offers the vet services, but Banfield.

I find them expensive for their services and pushy. My dog was also grossly misdiagnosed by them and almost died after spending close to $2000.

THAT being said... Oral hygiene can be very important to a pet's health. If you are noticing blood and a smell it could be any number of things.

The vet I worked for always recommends dental cleanings once a year(or more depending on the animal). It is pretty rare for a healthy animal to have a really bad reaction to anesthesia. Your vet should be able to tell you if your baby is healthy enough to go under.

Good luck to you and your fur baby!



Um...I just reread your post. I have no experience with them as far as dentals go.

 

[zippingalong]

My dog died during a dental. She was young (5 years old), healthy otherwise, and I'd done a slew of preop blood tests. (Not just the bmp usually ordered to check her kidneys). It was not her first dental. But, it was her first dental with a new vet. I'd actually switched vets because I was unhappy the the previous dental done by my old vets office.

I chose a vet who advertised dentals and up to date equipment and procedures. I did NOT go the least expensive route ( her dental was in the thousands).

Now, I should clarify...she was a greyhound and they have a genetic predisposition to horrible teeth. They also, because of their body mass index, don't process anesthesia the same way as other dogs. A good *specialty* vet should have known that.

I've since had dentals for my other greyhound. I was a crying snotty mess when I scheduled the appointment and explained to my new vet why I was so upset...She went through the entire procedure with me. She was also very up on current anesthesia literature and could give me details of anesthesia problems in her past surgeries. She was great, and I only use her services now.

The important thing to do is ask questions. Lots of questions. And research ahead of time. Know what answers you want to hear.

My dog did not die during the procedure..she died in recovery. In my heart I know that she was given too much anesthesia. I also believe she was under anesthesia too long..( when I got the call, it was after lunch and she was supposed to have her procedure first thing in the AM)..I have suspicions that she was left under anesthesia while the vet attended to other pets.

I'm sorry this is so long. But I can't tell you enough how horrible it is to lose a pet this way...especially when you think you've done every thing right.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

My dog died during a dental. She was young (5 years old), healthy otherwise, and I'd done a slew of preop blood tests. (Not just the bmp usually ordered to check her kidneys). It was not her first dental. But, it was her first dental with a new vet. I'd actually switched vets because I was unhappy the the previous dental done by my old vets office.

I chose a vet who advertised dentals and up to date equipment and procedures. I did NOT go the least expensive route ( her dental was in the thousands).

Now, I should clarify...she was a greyhound and they have a genetic predisposition to horrible teeth. They also, because of their body mass index, don't process anesthesia the same way as other dogs. A good *specialty* vet should have known that.

I've since had dentals for my other greyhound. I was a crying snotty mess when I scheduled the appointment and explained to my new vet why I was so upset...She went through the entire procedure with me. She was also very up on current anesthesia literature and could give me details of anesthesia problems in her past surgeries. She was great, and I only use her services now.

The important thing to do is ask questions. Lots of questions. And research ahead of time. Know what answers you want to hear.

My dog did not die during the procedure..she died in recovery. In my heart I know that she was given too much anesthesia. I also believe she was under anesthesia too long..( when I got the call, it was after lunch and she was supposed to have her procedure first thing in the AM)..I have suspicions that she was left under anesthesia while the vet attended to other pets.

I'm sorry this is so long. But I can't tell you enough how horrible it is to lose a pet this way...especially when you think you've done every thing right.

I'm so sorry that you had to experience that!

I didn't mean to sound like it didn't happen, but it is rare.

 

[zippingalong]

I'm so sorry that you had to experience that!

I didn't mean to sound like it didn't happen, but it is rare.

Thank you.

And, I agree, it's rare. But it does happen so knowledge to the procedure and your dog is key.

 

[rszdtrvl]

My dog almost died as a result of a dental cleaning.

He vomited while under anesthesia and got aspiration pneumonia.

It was touch and go for a while - vet visits daily (I was not going to let him out of my sight), then every other day, then every three days, etc. He was on multiple antibiotics for a month straight.

The sad thing is, I had a bad feeling about the whole procedure that morning (it was not his first time getting a dental cleaning) and even told the office manager that I did not have a good feeling about leaving him there. I left him at the vet in tears.

Luckily, it all worked out okay, but I REFUSE to put my dogs under anesthesia anymore - unless it was a life or death emergency. They are Beagles, and are not prone to issues with anesthesia, but this one instance changed me.

The pets we have will be the last ones we will have.

 

[lucas]

My dog was old at the time, but she got an infection from a dental cleaning at our trusted vet's office. Not long after the cleaning, she got a bad abscess and then needed gum surgery. I will always believe that she wasn't the same after that surgery and never fully recovered.

 

[Happiest mommy]

yes it is Banfield not Petsmart wow! I am saddened by some of the posts heartbreaking when you think your doing the right thing zippingalong so sorry for your loss I have 2 Chis but the one in questions is only 5 lbs so gentle i'm scared, my other fur baby is fine I have been brushing her teeth since she was a pup I really want to do the right thing...

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Hi DISers hope you can help we rescued our second fur baby almost a year ago she is 2 years old I brush my first fur babies teeth and started with my second fur baby as soon as I got her she is very gentle and good about it (the sweetest lil dog) she gets fed dry Wellness and her treats are Greenies well her breath has been very bad lately and her tooth brush comes out with a bit of blood she is scheduled for her wellness checkup next week at Petsmart and I was going to ask the vet about her teeth i'm guessing she will need a cleaning, I'm a bit scrared because I have heard bad stories of dog dieing due to the Anesthesia etc for those of you guys that have had your fur babies teeth cleaning done at Petsmart please tell me about your experience I just want the best for her TIA

My cousins Lab died after a dental procedure.
I've had dentals on my dogs prior to this incident but I won't anymore.
One of my collies will be 9 in a couple weeks. She needs her teeth cleaned but I'm just not chancing it.

I also agree with a pp, Banfield is expensive around here compared to other vets in the area.

 

[JessB320]

Ok I was a licensed vet tech for over 10 years. On average a large clinic may do 5-10 prophies (dental cleanings) a day. So do the math and I did or saw thousands of these in my career. The animals that died while having the cleaning or directly after ? I can remember one. Just like spaying and neutering a dental prophy is a routine procedure that requires anesthesia. Please don't let these horror stories prevent you from getting this done. With out treatment severe dental disease is very painful and can cause abscesses, heart disease and a host of other issues. That being said I am not a fan of banfield hospitals they are a huge corporation with crazy prices . I would go to a local vet , maybe someone a friend recommends who can give you more individual treatment. Ask for a tour, they can show you where procedures are done and what monitoring is used. Good luck and feel free to PM me if you still feel nervous!!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Ok I was a licensed vet tech for over 10 years. On average a large clinic may do 5-10 prophies (dental cleanings) a day. So do the math and I did or saw thousands of these in my career. The animals that died while having the cleaning or directly after ? I can remember one. Just like spaying and neutering a dental prophy is a routine procedure that requires anesthesia. Please don't let these horror stories prevent you from getting this done. With out treatment severe dental disease is very painful and can cause abscesses, heart disease and a host of other issues. That being said I am not a fan of banfield hospitals they are a huge corporation with crazy prices . I would go to a local vet , maybe someone a friend recommends who can give you more individual treatment. Ask for a tour, they can show you where procedures are done and what monitoring is used. Good luck and feel free to PM me if you still feel nervous!!

Exactly...Excellent post.

ETA- I only have a year under my belt LOL

 

[Sabeking]

My yorkies have gotten a dental cleaning from Banfield every year for eight years in a row. We have never had a problem.i will say our Banfield has not had a lot of turnover in vets or techs.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Our current vet is known for being the priciest in town, but they've looked at our dogs' teeth on many occasions and said "ehh. No cleaning this year."

Our dogs get dental chews every day and sticks and good hard toys that they chew on, and I'm convinced this is why they don't need it every year (mainly the dental chews. I buy the el-cheapo Pedigree kind.) Yes, it needs to be done occasionally, but only when necessary. I've never had any problems in all the years that we've had dogs. We drop them off on the way to work and pick them up on the way home, just the same as we do when they get groomed.

 

[dakcp2001]

My cat went blind during a dental procedure. He was 3 . He either had a stroke, a bad reaction to the anesthesia, or was not getting enough oxygen during the procedure. The vet " lost" the records and could not produce them for the ophthalmologist and denies all responsibility. Once they were "found" it was clear they were not the real ones, dates and times were not correct. But my cat was fine before the dental and blind when he came out. He does well now, knows where everything is and can jump around well. Most people don't know he is blind until he gets spooked or falls over a shoe or something. When we moved he had a really hard time learning the stairs. I feel awful for putting him through all this and for trusting that vet. I will not subject another pet to a dental procedure. Anesthesia is risky. If it turns out to be NECESSARY meaning antibiotics could not clear up the infection, then I would do some serious research on which vet to choose. Not just any old vet. Find one with a good record, no complaints, and who specializes in dentals. Also be aware that not all will monitor the o2 constantly throughout the procedure and some clinics let their assistants do the dental. I learned all of this after my cat was harmed.

 

[minkydog]

My Minky had life threatening heart arrhythmia during his one and only dental cleaning. So bad, they had to stop immediately and wake him up. I will NEVER put another dog through a dental.

 

[luvwinnie]

have you tried private vets in your area? I have not heard great things about Banfield.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

My little terrier always had clean teeth for 15 of her 16 1/2 years, because she chewed on her Nylabones daily. Then she inexplicably decided that she hated Nylabones and her teeth developed tartar. The vet persuaded me that she was healthy enough for a dental cleaning.
I believe she may have had a small stroke while under anesthesia, because ever since she has had balance issues. She's just unsteady on her feet. Naturally, the vet disagrees and says she is just old. However, she had zero issues before the cleaning.
Never again.

 

[lucas]

My little terrier always had clean teeth for 15 of her 16 1/2 years, because she chewed on her Nylabones daily. Then she inexplicably decided that she hated Nylabones and her teeth developed tartar. The vet persuaded me that she was healthy enough for a dental cleaning.
I believe she may have had a small stroke while under anesthesia, because ever since she has had balance issues. She's just unsteady on her feet. Naturally, the vet disagrees and says she is just old. However, she had zero issues before the cleaning.
Never again.

That is what happened to my older dog too (I posted about it earlier on this thread). Our vet disagreed for the same reasons you mentioned. I know in my heart that it was because of the anesthesia, she was never the same after that. Unsteady, out of it, confused. One thing led to another and we lost her at 16 1/2. But, her problems all started with the cleaning. I wish we had not done it.

 

[jgh]

I used to work at Petsmart and had some experience knowing/going behind the scenes at the Banfield we had. I would never take my dog or cat to a Banfield. Unsanitary and a lot of the staff were hired just as retail employees are...with no experience.

 

[Deb in IA]

This is an issue that drives me crazy about our vets.

They push HARD for all cats and dogs to get an annual dental cleaning under anesthesia. I get postcards every February, "reminding" me to schedule their cleaning.

So far, I have refused. Our dog is only 3, and his teeth are pretty healthy. We routinely give both the dog and the cat dental health treats (Greenies, Denta-stix, etc.)

To me, the risks of anesthesia are much, much worse than the benefits of clean teeth. I've told the vet this. And I've also told them that if they ever need anesthesia for a medical reason, they can clean the teeth then.

(Personally, I think this is a racket to make $$$ for the vet, under the guise of promoting pet health.)