Dumb Pet Teeth Cleaning question

[waverly]

I've been told that both my cat and dog need their teeth cleaned.  Cost wise, it makes sense to stagger the visits by a few months.

So would you do the dog first or the cat?  Cat is older (11) and has worse gingavitis.  Dog is younger (5) and needs a tooth pulled.  The tooth has less root than some other teeth and apparently would be an easy pull.

So which one gets priority?  

Any other experiences putting a pet under for a teeth cleaning and want to share?  

[Susie]

If you need to stagger them, I'd ask the vet to weigh in on which one is more urgent.  They're in the best position to tell you.

The last time our older girl had it done, she had a tooth extracted because she had cracked it and an infection would eventually follow if it stayed.  You don't want that.

[waverly]

Susie , Yeah I was wondering if the tooth pulling was higher priority. I honestly didn't think to ask the vet, but they didn't seem super concerned about either one and they knew we needed to do both. They just said hey bring them in within 6 months.

They even said sometimes people bring them at the same time, but beyond the cost issue, I don't want to manage their behavior and anesthesia after effects at the same time. 

[tiki]

Can you clean the dog's teeth yourself? Maybe with one of those scrubby things that fits on your finger?

Also FWIW my cat had lifelong horrible teeth, to the point where the vet would knock the bad teeth out of her mouth with his thumb when she was older. He said cats don't chew their food anyway, so as long as they're eating and not obviously in pain, a pet cat doesn't really need their teeth.

[waverly]

tiki, yes, I can clean the dog's teeth myself, but they still need to put her under to pull the tooth anyway, and the majority of cost is probably vet visit plus anethesia. The actual tooth pulling is only $27.

I think the vet would prefer the cat's teeth in better shape than that, but interesting.

I know 20 years ago we never used to clean animal's teeth.

[icedcoffee]

I don’t know but the last time my dog got a cleaning he left with 13 less teeth. 😭 Poor toothless guy. (He’s over it now but he was MAD when we brought him home)

[mofongo]

I would ask the vet. I’ve had quite a few dogs and cats get dentals over the years, everyone did fine post anesthesia. One dog had 6 teeth pulled and even she was fine.

[starburst604]

Not sure of the right answer but just here to say that February is Pet Dental Health Month, and our vet gives a 10% discount on dentals that month. Something to ask about if you end up doing one next year!