Dog Teeth Cleaning Anesthesia-Free: Buyer Beware!
Written by Jan on July 6, 2008 – 2:42 pm
Anesthesia-Free, or Non-Anesthetic, teeth cleaning for dogs (and even cats) is becoming more and more commonplace. As people grow fearful of “putting their dog under” just to have teeth cleaned, and ever more fearful of vet bills sometimes topping $1000, these services offer an attractive alternative. Even veterinarians who have called these procedures “animal cruelty” and “unsafe” (which they sometimes are), are adding anesthesia-free dental care to services offered. Whether any service is humane, safe and effective depends exclusively on practitioner skill and kindness towards animals.
Any health service provided by practitioners without specific training or experience requirements, and with no certification, can be risky. Is the practitioner safe? Is he/she knowledgeable and experienced? Can he safely handle dogs? Is he insured for damage to himself and your dog? All these are questions you must ask. This video, and all the additional information at Dogs4Dogs.com/doggydental2, will answer your questions. Help your dog have a safer teeth cleaning procedure, whether at your veterinarian’s office or at your groomer’s or pet shop. Want even more info? Check out my 15-page chapter, “Death by Teeth,” in my book, Scared Poopless. To learn more about what you can do about anesthesia risks, see our chapter, “Anesthesia Anxiety.”
Remember, there is no completely safe or stress-free way, inside or out of a vet’s office, to have your dog’s teeth cleaned. But because periodic scaling, ultrasonic cleaning and polishing, along with a thorough check for broken teeth, infections, tumors and lesions, is essential to your dog’s health, I hope you’ll read up and ask questions.
Please do not trust your dog with anyone without checking them out first. And don’t presume that your groomer or shop owner has. Chances are, he/she doesn’t know any more about dental care, or safety, than you do — especially if she hasn’t studied the subject. Your dog’s health and safety are in your hands alone.
Wishing you and your dog all the best in life,
Jan Rasmusen
www.Dogs4Dogs.com
Posted under Dog Teeth Cleaning, Videos | 25 Comments » Email This Post
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July 18th, 2008 at 6:39 am
excellent video & great info! recently i was told that rupert needed his [first] cleaning by my regular vet who does it under general anesthesia. because rupert has severe allergies, i also take him to an allergy specialist who had told me she will never put a dog under anesthesia unless absolutely necessary. i had her do the cleaning. she asked me to be present & i too was only a few feet away from him during the procedure. it was quick & painless & rupert was absolutely fine throughout.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Although anesthesia has some risk (although very little in a healthy pet when done correctly), don’t forget that there is risk involved with anesthesia-free dental procedures, even when done by a talented, experienced practitioner.
In my mind, the largest risk comes from potential aspiration of bacteria-laden water into the lungs from the sonic scaler. That water has plaque and chunks of tartar in it, and a pet can inhale it in a flash if they wiggle at an inopportune moment, potentially leading to pneumonia. This could happen even with an experienced dog handler like myself, even if I am prepared for this and am trying to prevent it.
When a pet is anesthetized for dental procedures, they have an endotracheal tube with an inflated cuff that prevents this. And, of course, there is no wiggling.
I believe there are some skilled practitioners of anesthesia-free dental care out there (and some appallingly unskilled ones as well), but I’m not convinced it is safer than skilled anesthetized dental care.
March 19th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I appreciate your position, however, for the last five years of my Bichon’s life I have had a gal come to my home to provide non anesth dental cleaning. She is very good and concientious. I have been happy with the service she provides. She charges $100 for the cleaning. A fraction of the cost of the dog going under anesth.
I am not able to afford the high price for anesthet dental cleaning. I had my vet do it at one time and was very disappointed in the results. It cost 500 to have it done. She was at the vets all day with no food and I wasn’t able to pick her up until 4 p.m. that day. At 9 pm that day she was still stumbling around drugged. I found this very upsetting. After 9 p.m. that day she threw up. I am sure from the anesth and an empty stomach all day not to mention the stress of being caged for the day.
All I know is that it has worked well for me. I am a groomer and constantly tell my clients that non anesthetic teeth cleaning is the way to go (unless of course there is a concern which must be addressed by a vet).
Affordable teeth cleaning is a better alternative for the pet and can be done more often. Especially now with the economy as it is people are trying to make ends meet…this way there pets won’t suffer in the meantime. I think it is a positive alternative.
These are just my thoughts. All the best!
April 18th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
In September of 2008 we lost our dear Tinka, a darling black pekingese who was just 5 years old, to the non-aesthetic dental procedure. I don’t know that I blame the service that did it as Tinka had some breathing issues. Yet none of us, including our vet, knew how serious any procedure might be to her. Looking back on it I have no doubt that Tinky had some serious issues, more serious than we nor her vet even knew.
It was an awful, painful experience for all of us. I have no doubt the 2 girls who did the procedure are tortured by it. And I have no doubt that some other stressful procedure was likely to claim her. After all, she had had this very same procedure done by the same people just 7 months before, and she was fine. Yet as the girls have never really spoken with me since losing her it leaves me with questions. Questions at this time I most likely cannot face.
Someone asked me recently in light of what happened if I would not recommend aesthetic-free dental treatment for dogs and cats. I don’t know that I can answer that question. I can say that I fear anesthetic dental cleaning at the vet. I’m sure what you say above is so true, Dr. Lisa, that there is risk with the non-anesthetic type as well.
I don’t know if this information helps anyone. Maybe it is only self-serving, to get over the pain of losing Tink. If it is the latter, I apologize to anyone reading this.
E.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:32 am
Erica, your story is so sad and so touching. Non-anesthetic cleaning can be stressful. So can cleaning with anesthesia. So can foregoing dental cleanings. There are no completely safe medical practices, just as there are no completely safe drugs. Everything has risks. We can only evaluate beforehand the people with whom we entrust our beloved pets. Sometimes trust is justified; sometimes, not. I wish the field of non-anesthetic dental cleaning would become certified, with special training required. Dental care is a dilemma. I’m so sorry for your loss. –Jan
April 25th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Jan,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for your comments about risks with any medical procedures for our dogs. For quite a while I blamed myself for even taking Tink in, yet knowing that I was thinking of the best thing for her. Educating ourselves on our pets’ care seems the wisest thing to do as, as you say, finding the best people to care for them.
If you like and have time, we have a website in honor of all of our pups. It is: TinknZu.net
Always,
Erica
July 8th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
What tools do you need to properly clean the plaque off your dog’s teeth? We have an English Setter and his teeth have plaque. Brushing doesn’t do the job nor do the Greenies dog treats. I was reading that after scraping you need to polish the dogs teeth to remove any scratches or lines. I wasn’t sure what type of equipment is needed and where to get it.
Thanks for any help or assistance you can provide,
Keith
July 9th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Sorry, Keith. I’m not in the teeth cleaning business. It takes 2 years of school to learn how to clean human teeth. Canine teeth are no less complicated. You can’t just get a scraper and start scraping. You’ll have to seek out an experienced pro — if you can find one. Good luck.
July 18th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Hi, since I didn’t want to or have the money for dental cleaning on my 3 dogs, my vet suggested science diet td. I don’t like SD, but I do have to say it seems to work. I use it as treats.It’s not doing too much on my 11 yr old dog, but the 6 and 7 year olds teeth really look better. Even the vet commented on the difference. I’m still looking for a good dental cleaner, if you know of one. Would like to get away from SD even if my dogs like the stuff.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
My sister should try this with her dogs,since this looks healthy for them…I’ll let her check your site as well.
October 24th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Right now I am trying PetzLife, I got it at the office of the Holistic vet I am now using. It’s a gel you rub on, it softens the plaque and makes it easier to wipe the plaque off (with a soft, babies washcloth or pet toothbrush). I have a 15 yr. old chihuahua whose lower jaw was snapped in half by a puppymiller (I rescued her from the mll when she was 10). If she loses her last few lower teeth, her jaw will crumble. However, she will not let me brush them. I have taken her to a nonanesthesia cleaner who finally gave up after only being able to clean 3 teeth in close to an hour. I don’t like using anesthesia on her. Hopefully PetzLife will work, it has great reviews on Amazon. Another holistic vet said that letting dogs chew on raw chicken necks cleans the teeth as good as anything. But, I don’t do this too often as I have 5 dogs and watching them all while they chew, to make sure none of them chokes on the necks is rather difficult!
October 24th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Another good product to try is Biotene. It’s a gel you apply, like PetzLife. They also have a mouthwash and water additive. http://www.petkingbrands.com/products/bioteneMouthwash.asp I wrote about them in my new e-newsletter. Do you subscribe? You’ll find lots of good info there. You can read it at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/JR_Articles/Fall%202009
Chicken necks are great, and help with dogs’ high calcium requirements as well, but they’re messy and you have to really watch dogs so they don’t choke. Have you tried using frozen chicken necks? Lots of people think dogs still chew them but don’t gobble them down. It’s worth a try.
If all your dogs are smallish, I hope you’ll read my article on the risks of vaccinating small and medium-sized dogs. http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/09/30/vaccinating-small-dogs-risks-vets-arent-revealing/
January 13th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
I found a site: http://www.wellanimalinstitute.com that offers a certificate in anesthetic free pet teeth cleaning. Is this a scam? Please email us.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Fabienne, I have never heard of it. As far as I know, there is no place that offers certification that is recognized by a state, but this isn’t my field. I could be just a certificate of completion. I have no idea who is teaching it. Buyer beware. Look for a vet on the teaching staff. And vet techs. You might email the people at HoundstoothDental.com and see if they know the company.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Hi Jan,
What a pleasure to have found your site. I was looking for info on reasons not to vaccinate to send my niece, and there you were. I now remember I’ve seen your book at Keith Weingardt’s office, here in San Diego. So, here’s my story on this topic, and I would be so grateful if you found time to provide me with some feedback.
Back in June ‘08, I took my dear Oreo (a Maine Coon mix, love of my life, kitty) in for an anesthesia-free teeth cleaning. the “cleaner” worked in the back room of a natural food pet store here in Pt. Loma. Although I shouldn’t have, I let her convince me that I should wait outside the room because she said she could handle him better if I wasn’t there. When I came back a 1/2 hour later, he had had a major b.m. on the floor where she had him held for the cleaning (scissored between her legs!).
He was close to 24 pounds. She said his gums were reddish (and she showed me his gums along w/ his perfectly cleaned teeth) because she had to scrape so much tartar off. He seemed a little wild-eyed when I got into the room, but then fine, and fine when I got him home, and he ate fine. I felt terrible that I’d been irresponsible by leaving the room, and I felt I’d failed him big time.
Just two weeks later, Oreo developed a bump under his chin. I took him to my vet, who referred me to a surgeon. The surgeon felt it was oral cancer and wanted to do a tissue biopsy with a possible partial jaw removal if it was cancer. I declined. He set a “prognosis of 2 months w/o treatment if it was cancer. Oreo was 17. In the room w/the surgeon he threw up, pee’d and pooped. I felt he was telling me NO in his own way, crazy as that sounds.
I went to a holistic vet (Keith Weingardt) and we tried Chinese herbs. I tried homeopathy from Dr. Loops, and Dr. Steven Blake. I ended up getting an x-ray to try to be sure we knew what we were up against, and the radiologist deemed the lump osteosarcoma. I have the x-ray, if you wanted to check it out. The lump grew very fast. I read every possible online listing about oral cancer in cats, and recurrence rates after surgery which is what made me decide against it.
Though I found it afterward, I always wondered if ES-Clear might have been a possible cure. It was the hardest two months of my life. We finally had a vet come to our home and I held Oreo as she administered the meds. It was completely heart wrenching and it haunts me to this day. I’ve pretty much made peace with myself but my question is: did the teeth cleaning cause the tumor? Did that unnecessary trauma cause cells to mutate? Could it have been one of those epulides (unsure of spelling) or benign lump and if I’d had an actual biopsy (not just an x-ray) would I have found that out and been able to save him with surgery to remove it? Was it just a nasty infection? Keith, the holistic vet, seemed sure it was cancer. I even called an animal communicator in desperation after Oreo passed!! She said she felt it was cancer, for whatever that is worth. I called the “teeth cleaner” right after the bump formed. She felt certain it was unrelated. What else could she say?
Anyway, after writing my novel here, I would like to add that I never vaccinated Oreo – just one round when I first found him as a stray when he was 2. Always fed him great food. Loved him like there was no tomorrow. It seemed such a cruel end to a full, robust life. He did have a history of bad teeth and even had his two front canines removed by the vet during a regular cleaning, where he was put under.
If you have any words of wisdom to shed on my story, it would be deeply appreciated. As I have noted, this is something that I will always wonder about, and it all began with that anesthesia-free teeth cleaning episode.
Thank you in advance,
Robin
January 18th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Hi Robin. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m not a vet and am certainly not a cancer specialist. I, would, however, doubt that teeth cleaning caused the cancer. It could cause stress, an infection and a lump, but not cancer. If teeth cleaning caused cancer, you’d have to sign a release to get your own teeth cleaned. It’s probably just a coincidence.
You did everything you could to give Oreo a great life. Feel good about that. You did nothing wrong. Cancer happens.
PS You said you were looking for info about vaccinaton for your niece. I presume you found the articles at http://www.truth4dogs.com. Also, since you’re in San Diego, check out our safer vaccination seminar. Two world-renowned pet vaccination experts are speaking. http://www.petseminar.org
January 19th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Wouldn’t it be the ethical and morally correct thing to do to let your readers know that your website broadcasts a video PROMOTING anesthesia-free pet dental services, as opposed to pretending that you’re neutral on the issue. Good grief, you even refer to them as “experienced pro”(s) in your July 9th comment to Keith !
January 20th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Thomas, this post sounds very much like two posts I got from Frank yesterday. At least yours is slightly polite.
If you bothered to actually listen to and read the video, you’d see that I am not promoting this service. In fact, I find most practitioners to be untrained and even cruel and wouldn’t let them near my dogs. The few people I recommend work mostly with vets.
My dogs get both vet and non-vet teeth cleaning. They are very small and both are at risk for anesthetic reactions. Chiclet was in the emergency room twice with collapsing trachea after her last cleaning by a very skilled veterinary dentist.
I make no money off these services. In fact, it’s mostly a problem for me as I am continually attached by people like you who don’t identify yourself or reveal your motives. I will not respond to you or your friend or alter ego Frank again.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Hi All,
I will try and sum this up as simply as I can. I am 46 years old. I have been grooming since I was 15yrs and non anesthetic teeth cleaning since I was 20yrs. When I was growing up, my parents raised and showed Yorkies. There teeth got cleaned under anesthesia every 3 years.
There was never any discution about home care and keeping their oral condition under control, If so, we would have avoided the expensive cleanings (financially and physically).
I clean teeth every day and address only levels 1 and 2 (there are only 4) Non anesthetic tartar removal does not hurt and is the most effective way to stay on top of your pets oral care.
I would suggest, that if you have any questions, ask your vet if you pet is within the first 2 stages of periodontal disease, if your pet is.. then non anesthetic is the way to go and hopefully your vet will offer it to you (but most dont because they are better financially enriched if your pet is put under.) If your vet doesnt offer it, then seek out a skilled cleaner to do the job. Personally, at my salon, I will show you how to hand scale your pets teeth yourself.. the problem is that your pet usually wont let you do it because he knows he can make you stop! Just like when you attempt to brush his coat!
In a nut shell, get your pet used to you invading his mouth by brushing with a childs soft tooth brush with a wee bit of baking soda, every day. Assosiate the experience with a treat like turkey breast. Within 2 weeks it will become a game and secretly beneficial to his health.
If any one wants tips or has questions, you are invited to email me at k9dentist@aol.com
I will answer your questions and certainly put you in the right direction of better oral health for your pet. Note: Over vaccinating is also over rated. I found a good book by Dr. Martin Goldstien and is called “The Nature of Animal Healing” .. pick it up, you and your pet will be glad you did!
With total sincerety, Patricia Doran
March 31st, 2010 at 12:56 pm
-If you only cleaned your teeth every six months, imagine what your mouth would feel like! Yuk-Oh! You’d probably need general anesthesia, too, and you sure wouldn’t want somebody poking around in YOUR mouth, that’s for sure.
-So … you should clean your dog’s teeth at least every week, and each day you should put your dog into a “stay” and manipulate those lips (theirs, not yours). Use a doggie toothpaste — more manufacturers are putting Xylitol into human toothpaste, and although xylitol tastes good and is easily tolerated by humans, it is about as toxic to dogs as antifreeze (so keep candies, toothpaste, chewing gum, etc.) out of their reach.
May 30th, 2010 at 11:34 am
I’m so glad you gave us the name of the service you use, I was beginning to despair that I wouldn’t find one that did sub-gingival cleaning!
Just wanted to give some insight from the field. In my 2 year vet tech program, I received 3 hours of training on dental cleaning and spent a total of 30 minutes practicing hands-on. According to our local dental specialist, 10% (or less) of vet practices perform cleanings properly, mostly due to pressure from the vets for the techs to be fast and do as many animals each day as possible (quality optional). For example, most clinincs only x-ray the teeth that look “bad,” even in cats. But, resorptive lesions – a common problem in cats that causes the tooth to be reabsorbed by the body and are EXTREMELY painful – start under the gum line and can only be caught early with x-rays. So, cleanings performed at your vet clinic under anesthesia are just as “buyer beware” as anesthesia-free. You are most likely not getting what you pay for, so do your research and get a recommendation from a specialist or go to one, if you can. As a vet tech, I’m in favor of anesthesia-free for dogs, provided the tech is experienced and does sub-gingival cleaning. There is a risk of aspiration pneumonia, but contrary to what the vet above posted, it’s not actually eliminated with an endotracheal tube – it’s just reduced.
July 14th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Hi Jan,
I brush my dog’s teeth every day with C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste. Is it safe to use? And every two months I do a deep cleaning with a scraper just like in your video. My maltese is a good boy he lets me do all his teeth. Do you have any videos on how to groom a maltese dog? I need some help with that. Thanks.
August 6th, 2010 at 12:37 am
I hope people realize the Anesthesia free dentistry is also illegal by anyone who is not licensed. Only RVTs and DVMs are allowed to practice dentistry legally
August 29th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
chinese herbs can actually treat a lot of ilness and have fewer side-effects too.;,
August 31st, 2010 at 9:29 am
Anesthesia-free dental cleaning is permitted in veterinary offices by non-licensed practitioners. Some are skilled. Many are not.