Dog dental extraction is one of the most performed pet surgeries.
Unfortunately, knowing your canine is suffering from dental issues can be very difficult because they tend to learn to live with it.
So, if you just realized your doggie has been suffering, don’t beat yourself up. The important thing is to solve it as soon as you find out.
One thing you’ll want to find out is what the dog tooth extraction cost is. You also want to know how tooth extractions will affect your pet and how to make the process easier for them.
I’ve been through this nightmare, and I’ll be answering all your concerns in this blog post.
So, let’s dive in.
What is Tooth Removal?
As the name suggests, dog tooth extraction is a surgical process that includes removing a dog’s teeth.
This is done after all other solutions like teeth cleaning don’t yield results. If your vet recommends tooth extraction, it means there is nothing else that can be done to save the tooth.
Like humans, dog tooth pain can be very hard to cope with, and it’s very expensive to treat.
This is why having insurance cover for your dog is always a great idea.
Why is Dog Tooth Extraction Necessary?
There are very many reasons why the vet may decide to pull your dog’s teeth.
Some of the most common reasons include:
Fractured Tooth
Although this can be corrected through root canal therapy, some cases still call for extraction.
According to VCA Hospitals, a healthy fractured tooth can still cause pain to your dog because the tooth nerves are exposed.
Another reason why the vet may decide to remove the fractured tooth is if the gum tissue surrounding the tooth is unhealthy.
Unerupted Tooth
Unerupted teeth are teeth that never make it past the gumline. The condition is common among small dog breeds. Although some unerupted teeth are harmless, some of them can cause a cyst and destroy a large part of your dog’s jaw.
The Merck Manual Veterinary recommends extracting the stubborn unerupted to avoid further damage.
Periodontal Disease
This is the leading cause of dog tooth extraction. According to VCA Hospital, at least 2/3 of dogs above 3 suffer from periodontal disease.
The illness causes infection and inflammation of tissues surrounding the teeth.
Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis, which infects the tooth socket, then the bone, and eventually causes the tooth to become loose if left untreated.
Oral Tumors & Abnormalities
Another reason your doctor may decide to pull your dog’s teeth is Orthodontic abnormalities. The latter simply means your dog has teeth in the wrong places.
Oral tumors treatment can also lead to tooth extraction if it stands in the way of the treatment.
How Do I Know My Dog’s Teeth Need to Be Pulled?
As I mentioned earlier, it can be hard even for the most caring pet parents to know when their dog has dental problems.
When dogs experience tooth pain, they may decide to eat using one side of their mouth. They also continue to play and run around as they bear with the pain.
That said, if you suspect your dog is having dental problems, here are some signs to look out for:
· Whether they’re struggling or in pain when eating
· Loose or broken tooth
· Swelling around their mouth areas
· Dropping food or bleeding while feeding
· Discolored tooth
PS: These signs may represent another underlying health condition, so it’s best to consult the vet before setting a tooth extraction appointment.
Tooth Removal Procedure
According to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, the tooth procedure is different based on the tooth and the disease involved.
But in general, your vet will give your pet a nerve block that lasts for at least 6 hours to manage the oral discomfort and pain.
The vet then creates an incision in the adjacent gum tissue to fully access the tooth. They then remove the bone that overlies all roots, then section the tooth into individual roots, and remove each root separately.
The socket (alveolus) is then flushed to remove any debris, and the extraction area is closed with absorbable sutures.
Normally, the procedure takes 30 minutes to one hour.
Tooth Removal Recovery for Dogs
Your dog will probably take 24-48 hours to regain their appetite and their energy. However, that’s part of the recovery journey, as full recovery is marked by absorption of stitches. This takes two weeks, and you’ll need to treat your patient well (more on this later).
During this time, your dog will need painkillers to calm down the disturbed nerves.
You’ll also need to keep your eye on your dog and report any unusual signs such as:
· Facial swelling as it may be indicating an infection
· Rubbing against the floor
· Continued bleeding, which may be a sign of open wounds
· Excessive drooling
· Disinterest in their favorite toys
· Swelling around eyes
It’s also crucial to take your dog to all their scheduled follow-up clinics, even if you think they’re okay. The vet checks if the incision is healing properly to avoid further dental damage.
If your dog is at its senior phase, it will require more attention as their healing takes longer than puppies.
Some of the things you can do for them ensure their food and fluid intake is adequate.
Dog Tooth Removal Considerations
Like any other surgery, there are certain things you need to consider before sending your furry friend for the tooth extraction.
Some of the things you should consider include your dog’s age because the general anesthetic can be risky for older dogs.
Also, if your dog has some underlying health issues, you may want to ensure they’re strong enough to undergo the surgical process.
Secondly, although the vet only recommends tooth removal when they’re no other cards left, you may want to take a few days to decide. This is especially in cases where the vet recommends full mouth extraction. The dog can still survive with no teeth, but it’s still a big lifestyle change that you don’t want to rush to.
Lastly, other pet parents seek alternatives of tooth extraction for their pups if they have the means and resources. The alternatives include pediatric orthodontic care, root canal therapy, and a vital pulpotomy.
However, don’t take too much time because tooth pain can be very hard to deal with for your pup.
Cost of Tooth Removal in Dogs
Unfortunately, there is not a single figure for this answer.
However, a dog extraction can cost anywhere between $500-$800 (or more) based on several factors.
Here are the factors that determine how much you pay for your dog’s tooth extraction.
Oral Cleaning
This is probably one of the most expensive procedures of tooth extraction. The vet will rarely agree to pull your dog’s teeth without oral cleaning unless they’re really young.
Although some vets may offer a bundle, this charge is seen as a different cost from the extraction.
Post-Extraction X-Ray
Some teeth are easy to pull out and only require a basic non-surgical incisor, while some teeth require stitching and nerve blocking.
Hard teeth removals cost X10 easy teeth removals as they require x-rays to ensure the tooth is fully removed, which costs $50-$100.
Some vet centers don’t have an oral x-ray machine, so it’s important to ask before the extraction procedure.
Anesthesia Costs
This is another cost that comes with dog tooth extraction. Factors that go into consideration when determining aesthesia costs include:
· Dog size. The aesthesia costs may go anywhere between $50-$100 depending on the size of your pet. If the extraction is a simple procedure, these drugs are enough.
· Complexity of the surgical process. If the tooth extraction process involves several teeth, they may need aesthetic gas. Since this will require certain indicators with specific tools, which can add to the anesthesia costs to up by $50-$100.
· Vet inspection. For starters, the vet will need to check your dog’s health and ensure they’re healthy enough for the anesthesia. Also, younger dogs may require a blood test before the anesthesia.
They’re other minor costs that may be required, such as food choice and antibiotics, that I’ll discuss in the next section.
After Dog Extraction Care
Just like humans, after surgery, your pup requires tender care and affection during their recovery time.
Some of the things that you can do for your dog include:
Ensuring they rest up
The first 24-48 hours are very crucial in the dog tooth extraction recovery. Prepare a warm place that’s quiet for them to rest.
If you have kids, you also want to keep them away to protect your dog from distractions.
During the first few hours, your dog may be drowsy, and they may have no appetite. However, if they still seem tired and disoriented after 24 hours, call your vet.
Check their diet
After the tooth removal, your dog will only need two small meals as its appetite might not be back yet.
Depending on the complexity of the surgery, your dog may need to avoid dry kibble for a while. You can feed them with canned food or soften the kibble with water.
If the surgery involves several teeth, you may need to feed them with a liquid diet. Ensure they drink water after the meal and as regularly as possible as it’s critical to the healing process.
Pain relievers and antibiotics
Your pet will need antibiotics and painkillers to relieve your dog’s pain due to the nerve distraction.
Ensure you discuss pain relief meds before the surgery. This will allow you to discuss cheap and effective painkillers for your dog.
Postoperative check-up
Ensure your honor the follow-up dental check-ups to ensure the stitches are healing. The vet should also help you determine whether your dog requires a postoperative check-up and schedule one if it’s necessary.
Tooth Removal Prevention in Dogs
You can do a few things to ensure your dog’s teeth are safe and they don’t require more surgeries.
Here are a few of them.
· Brush your dog’s teeth regularly. This may seem like a daunting task at first, but it becomes easier with the right tools, veterinary guidance, and patience.
· Take your dog for oral cleanings and exams. This will allow you to know the status of your dog’s dental health at all times and take action earlier if need be.
· Provide them with safe toys. Chewing on tooth-friendly goodies can help prevent gum issues. The toys include rubbery toys, rubber balls, and rawhide strips that bend. You can hide the treats on the toys to encourage your dog to chew on the toys.
· Feed your dog quality food. You can consult your vet on the best food for your dog. For example, you can feed your dog with “dental diets” to help scrub their teeth as they chew the food. You can also ensure the food you feed your dog has no additives to prevent plaque from hardening.
FAQs
Here are some of the common questions on tooth extractions.
Does pet insurance cover tooth extraction?
Pet insurance can cover tooth extraction in some instances, such as the reconstruction of damaged teeth or broken teeth that may have occurred during an accident. This is only possible if the accident happened after taking the cover.
The insurance cover doesn’t cover oral cleaning, brushing teeth, and other routine practices. Also, many insurance covers don’t cover a tooth extraction that results from a poor dental care routine, such as periodontal disease that occurs due to insufficient brushing.
Is tooth extraction of dogs painful?
No. The vet blocks the nerves before the process and administers painkillers afterward to ensure your dog doesn’t suffer any pain.
Why do dogs cry after anesthesia?
Just like humans, anesthesia can cause confusion and disorientation. Therefore, your dog may act out a little for the first 24-48 hours.
Dog Tooth Extraction Costs (Final Thoughts)
Tooth pains can significantly affect your dog’s health and lifestyle in general.
They may start losing appetite, eating with one side, and eventually experience intense pain.
If you sense your dog has any dental problems, be sure to take them to a vet. Remember, regular dental care practices can save you from all this trouble.
I hope you learned something from my lengthy dog tooth extraction costs blog post.
Don’t forget to share this blog post with other dog parents.
Sharing is caring❤️!