I am a rotten mom

[Rae]

I had an appointment to get Savannah's teeth cleaned on Monday, and I just cancelled it. Her breath isn't offensive, and though she has some tartar built up, it's really not that horrid...

I don't know what made me decide not to get this done. I know it's a preventive measure, and she is 3 1/2, but I just had a bad bad feeling about it.

There is nothing that made me think rationally that she might have any problems, but I just had a bad feeling.

Am I being silly?

[Alex's Mom]

Nope. If she doesn't need it right now, why do it? Listening to your gut is never a bad idea .

[oceangirls]

My 12-year-old girls have had one dental, and Cassie came out of that with chronic respiratory issues, so no, I don't think there is anything wrong with your decision. Especially if it doesn't feel right to you right now.

*disclaimer: I am not advocating not getting dentals, especially in dogs prone to bad teeth. My girls just happen to have amazing un-dachshund-like teeth. Strangely enough, our current vets do not push them. The old place would have probably done one every 6 months if we'd let them

[lotsadox]

I don't do regular dentals either for a variety of reasons, one of which is that 2 of my 3 dogs have heart murmurs. If she doesn't need it, why take the risk of putting her under anesthesia? (And it is a risk)

[Rae]

She could use one, but we are not to the point of NEED (as in eyes watering when she kisses me!)

And I guess different vets have different thoughts on this procedure. Some, like Kim said, would probably do one every six months, while others only do it if your eyes water.

I appreciate the support. I just didn't want to risk the anesthesia...

[Alex's Mom]

Maxe literally needed one every year because her teeth were atrocious. Alex only ever had 2 in her life, and one of those was because she cracked a tooth on her nylabone.

[RustysMom]

go with your gut and you are NOT a bad Mom . Rusty had his very first dental this spring and he is now 9 years old (September) He never needed one. Even my vet (the old one and now new) agreed! We decided to finally get one done because he was starting to get some tarter built up. Baxter is 8 this Dec and he has yet to have one. He chews bones 24/7 (almost) and has pearly white teeth and no bad breath. Odie on the other hand has had 3 since we got him. He has sewer breath all the time. Vet said its due to poor nutrition from past owners and that some dogs just have bad yucky mouths. Hes also had 4 teeth removed. Really if I could afford it, he should probably get a dental once every couple months his mouth is that bad.

[Lisa]

Always trust your gut. Pixel has had one in 12 years, and Pogo has had 2 (one was due to a fracture). As long as the vet can look in her mouth and make sure there is no real need, you are good.