Dentals are usually needed, and done, by good adoption groups when a hound comes into an adoption program. Most hounds should not need another dental for the rest of their lives, and definitely not yearly.
Whenever you put a dog ‘under’ for any surgery, you are always taking a risk. Every vet’s knowledge is different about greyhounds – some very knowledgeable, some not so knowledgeable. When a hound takes a long time to come out of anesthesia, it could possibly be because too much anesthesia was used for a greyhound. They have less fat than other dogs, and so the absorption of any drug is usually more intense. The ‘cocktail’ of drugs used is also very important. But you can read more about that under Anesthesia. Click on that to the right. Back to Dentals.
My personal dogs have not needed dentals after their initial dentals during rescue. I believe it is because of the prevention info below:
Prevention:
1. Give one turkey neck – raw – weekly. The gnawing and chewing will help keep teeth clean and gums strong.
2. Beef Marrow/Soup Bones. I don’t let them chew at these for more than 15 – 20 minutes. They are not meant for digestion, but rather for the gnawing to get the marrow out.
3. Brushing Teeth with doggy toothpaste or baking soda.
4. Feeding raw. Real food doesn’t cause the deposits around the teeth and gums which kibble does.
Help with Dental surgery and recovery:
1. Arnica pellets – These help with the bleeding and trauma and recovery from surgery. 30 c. Eight pellets in the cap, and tapped onto the gums/mouth/tongue. Do not touch them. . Give a dose right before surgery. Give a dose right after surgery, and a few hours after that. Good for you to use too!
2. Yucca Intensive – Yucca contains steroidal saponins which naturally reduce inflammation. Reducing inflammation helps with pain management and allows the body to heal faster.
2. Make sure your vet uses 2 -3 people to move your hound on and off the operating table. Greyhound spines are delicate, and wrenching it when moving them could cause other issues.
3. Make sure your vet pulls teeth. Not just cleans them and leaves them in. Many vets will try to save greyhound teeth, but once the gums start to recede, there is nothing to be done, and a greyhound is better off without the teeth vs. having to do a dental over and over again. Dogs have 42 teeth, and they can eat without any!