My Dog Died During A Routine Vet Appointment. If I'd Done Just 1 Thing Differently, He Might Still Be Alive.

What began as a routine care decision for our beloved dogs veered into irrevocable loss.

We raised our two adorable West Highland white terriers in a house of love, spoiling Duncan and Dooley beyond measure. Rather than serving them dog food, my wife prepared special meals every day chicken and rice or hamburger and noodles. Born from the same litter, they ate with us, slept with us and traveled with us. We raced to their rescue after skunk sprayings, possum gashes and a terrifying coyote attack. But like most pet owners, it never occurred to me to consider their dental care and I worked as a dentist for nearly 40 years.

When the dogs were 11 years old, Duncan developed a benign cyst on his shoulder, and needed it removed. Our vet recommended that she clean Duncans teeth while he was under for surgery, and, oh, why not bring Dooley in for a cleaning, too?

Sedation for canine dental care is a relatively common practice done to keep dogs still during the procedure and for the safety of the dental staff. Both dogs were anesthetized, but Dooley never woke up. My wife couldnt forgive herself for putting Dooley under anesthesia just to get his teeth cleaned, and we have never gotten over the loss. Our vet, traumatized as well, vowed to stop elective cleanings under general anesthesia.

Since then, Ive made it my mission to inform people about of whats needed to control their pets oral health and how to avoid problems like infection and abscessing that can require invasive treatment or tooth extractions under anesthesia.

Most people arent aware that the exact same progression that leads to decay and periodontal disease in humans also happens for dogs; only the bacterial species is different. Inflammation causes the gums to swell and bleed, then comes breath odor, loose teeth and, finally, abscesses that typically require a tooth to be pulled. 

But just like with humans, theres a preventative solution for these problems daily oral care. We know how important that is for us, but for some reason we havent gotten that message with our pets.

Stop brushing your teeth for one day and you feel the effects. Its gross. Now imagine not cleaning your mouth for weeks or years, and you begin to understand what dogs experience.

The veterinary community recommends daily brushing as the gold standard, but most dog owners simply dont do it. As much as we adore our animals, one survey found that only 7% of dog owners brush their pets teeth every day.

We dog lovers take great care in feeding, sheltering and vaccinating our pets but we ignore this basic and treatable health concern. Even if your dogs teeth look healthy, its estimated that 80-90% of dogs over the age of 3 are dealing with some form of periodontal disease . If you think those problems are minor, theyre not. Periodontal disease can lead to health issues that affect the kidneys, liver and heart. 

If youve ever had a toothache, abscess, infected gums or mouth sore, you know how distressing and downright painful periodontal disease can be. Some say tooth-related pain in humans, when it is severe, is matched in intensity only by acute cardiac pain or the pain of childbirth. Dogs experience pain, too, but there is a difference: they cant tell you what they are feeling. Thats why so many dental problems in dogs go unnoticed until they are severe. 

Ignoring your dogs dental care inevitably leads to more invasive treatment down the road. Without regular at-home cleaning, your pet is more likely to need intensive procedures like cleaning under the gumline to remove hardened tartar or extractions and those almost always require sedation, which can put your pet at risk.

Duncan lived to be 16 and had a wonderful life. Today, we have a new furry friend, Bogey, a Maltese-Westie mix we rescued off the street around the start of the pandemic. Its not always convenient, even for me, to clean my dogs teeth, but I do it.

You never want to use human toothpaste because it can contain ingredients that are toxic to them. I apply a dog-friendly product with a finger cot similar to one I used as a dentist, but a soft-bristled dog toothbrush or even a bare finger works, too. Ill rub Bogeys teeth and gums for about 30 seconds. If your dog resists, try just the front teeth first. Once they get used to it, youll find that its a real bonding moment for you and your pup. Its recommended that you brush every day or, at the very least, three times a week to help keep your dogs mouth healthy.

It is time to end the disconnect and start educating dog owners about the science of canine oral health. That begins with dispelling certain myths people have about dogs teeth. No, dogs mouths are not cleaner than humans mouths. No, chewing on bones wont clean their teeth ; in fact, fragments from bones often cause injury to dogs. Perhaps the saddest fallacy is that dental problems are just an inevitable part of a dogs aging process that your pup will get old, get infections and lose a couple teeth but it doesnt have to be that way. 

Learning from Dooleys passing was tough it showed us how crucial dental care is for our pets. That lesson came too late for him but its not for others. Start cleaning your dogs teeth early and keep it consistent. 

We owe it to our four-legged family members to prioritize their dental care not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental responsibility. By doing so, we not only safeguard their well-being but also deepen the loving and powerful connection we share through our commitment to their overall health. 

Henry Crossetti, D.D.S., M.S., a retired periodontist who lives on Johns Island, South Carolina, now researches and develops solutions for canine oral health care. Visit his LinkedIn page for more info .

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