I feel terrible. About two months ago I began to notice my girl's breath stank. So I opened her and went "oh crap. I messed up". Tartar everywhere and red gums. I know she is at some stage of periodontal disease, but I hope they can save most of her teeth. It's bad but not like any of the extreme case pictures you find on the Internet.
Of course I scheduled her a vet appointment as soon as possible for a professional cleaning. In the meantime, I am trying to do what I can. I brush her teeth as gently as I can every few days and squirt some pet dental gel on them.
I know these steps will not get rid of what is already there, but I like to think the brushing and gel helps a little but to prevent it from getting much worse.
My question is: is it a good idea to do what little I can prevent further progression of the disease via brushing and gel? Or should I stop ASAP?
Second, my girl goes in December 5th. I will likely be a wreck that day. What should I expect after her cleaning? Is it like after she was spayed - acts a little dopey?
If she has teeth pulled, will it be okay to let her eat right away etc.?
Help. I've never done this before and regret being so ignorant as to let her even develop the early stages of periodontal. I want to do the best I can to reverse my human mess up, and get her back to healthy and happy as soon as possible after the cleaning.
Of course I scheduled her a vet appointment as soon as possible for a professional cleaning. In the meantime, I am trying to do what I can. I brush her teeth as gently as I can every few days and squirt some pet dental gel on them.
I know these steps will not get rid of what is already there, but I like to think the brushing and gel helps a little but to prevent it from getting much worse.
My question is: is it a good idea to do what little I can prevent further progression of the disease via brushing and gel? Or should I stop ASAP?
Second, my girl goes in December 5th. I will likely be a wreck that day. What should I expect after her cleaning? Is it like after she was spayed - acts a little dopey?
If she has teeth pulled, will it be okay to let her eat right away etc.?
Help. I've never done this before and regret being so ignorant as to let her even develop the early stages of periodontal. I want to do the best I can to reverse my human mess up, and get her back to healthy and happy as soon as possible after the cleaning.