Lewis' Sore Mouth
Lewis for those of you who don't know is my faithful black Lab cross featured in many a story and video.
As he is older, I do tend to worry a bit more about him
If he seems 'OFF' then I'll give him a brief exam
So on Monday he was outside chewing on bones a neighbor brought over..
They were slightly smaller than I would prefer- her dog is smaller then Lewis.
Lewis does reguarly chew on bones, but they are the BIG femure bones that he can't splinter or break off- I am more comfortable with him chewing, NOT swallowing small pieces of bones, or trying to crack a HARD bone..
Anyways there is some of the do as I say not as I do..
So Lewis comes in from being outside, he it reluctant to eat his food
WARNING BELLS
What?
A brief exam and he yelps when I try to palpate and open the left side of his mouth.
Which initially has me thinking...tooth...pain..WHY did I give him those small bones?
So I then proceeded to give him some Valerian, along with 650mg of ASA
1 hour later I was able to give him a better exam, seeing the fractured Upper 4th premolar ( carnassial tooth)
Here is some of what you should know
Symptoms of Fracture Teeth
The most commonly fractured tooth in dogs is the canine tooth followed by the upper fourth molar; (carnassial tooth)
The upper fourth molar is the largest tooth in the back on the top of the dog’s mouth.
Symptoms that may appear include pain, drooling, reluctant to chew on one side, only wanting softer food.
A swollen jaw, an obvious fracture in the tooth that can be seen, or an abscess on the gums that noticeably swells.
Infections caused by fractured teeth can lead to lethargy, the inability to eat, overall feelings of malaise, and irritability.
Treatment
This tooth needs to be removed- meaning getting your dog examined, and to the veterinarian ASAP
Pain Control In the interim, or SAY this happens on a Sunday afternoon, WHAT can you give so your dog is more comfortable.
1. Aspirin - Dog ASA dose is 325mg/40lbs of body weight twice daily. If your dog is on other NSAIDs or Prednisone, don't give it
2. Valerian- this will proved some sedation and pain reilef. 1/2ml of the tincture per 20lbs of body weight ever 6 hours
3. Ora Gel - the topical OTC dental pain meds are somewhat effective. Your can put on a small coating above the gum line of the affected tooth
4. Arnica - I also gave Lewis some Arnica 1 30C capsule per 20lbs
5. Curcumin - If you have 95% curuminoids, this is also a good anti-inflammatory. 100mg/10lbs of body weight twice daily. I added this to Lewis' soft food- he yelped when I tried to open his mouth- poor guy :-(
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