Dog champing at the bit after severe dental disease treated

Thirteen-year-old Thalula was one of the first patients seen by the recently opened dentistry service at renowned Linnaeus-owned animal hospital Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service.

Thalula already had 15 missing teeth when she was referred to Willows. Unfortunately, her remaining teeth had end stage gum disease, so the decision was made to remove them, which accounted for 27 extractions in total.

Dr James Haseler, who heads up the new dentistry and maxillofacial department at Willows, said: “A dog can adapt well to living with no teeth, as long as appropriate care is provided.

“Indeed, it’s often the case that a dog with no teeth has an improved quality of life compared to a dog who is suffering from severe oral disease. Dogs and cats can adapt to life without teeth incredibly quickly and often show a new lease of life following treatment.”

Sadly, toy breed dogs such as chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers are predisposed to dental disease with a around 90 per cent having an element of dental disease by the age of 37 weeks old.

Thalula, who had recently been diagnosed with a heart condition and arrhythmia by Willows specialist-led cardiology team, was assessed by both the cardiology team and anaesthesia team to make sure she would be as safe as possible under anaesthetic.

She then underwent a professional dental cleaning, before a detailed oral examination was performed and a full set of dental x-rays was taken, which revealed the extent of her severe dental disease and subsequent teeth extractions, from which Thalula recovered well.

Thalula’s owner, Debbie Colley from the West Midlands, said: “We were very worried to start with as the procedure involved an anaesthetic and she has a complex heart condition.

“However, Willows were amazing and the post operative care was also to a very high standard and all her medication was liquid to allow for any discomfort she might have felt after her dentistry.

“Now she’s had the procedure, the difference in Thalula is amazing and her quality of life has dramatically improved.”

Willows dentistry service has a range of diagnosis, treatments and care for a wide range of conditions including fractured and discoloured teeth, complex extractions, tooth luxation or avulsion, malocclusions, periodontal disease and enamel defects.

As well as a dentistry service, Willows now provides an oral and maxillofacial service for treatment of head trauma cases as well as oral oncological cases.

James added: “Our state-of-the-art dental suite ensures the best possible dental and oral care for both feline and canine patients alike.”

Willows also offers specialist services in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, clinical nutrition, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery and spinal surgery.

To find out more about Willows’ wide range of specialist services, visit www.willows.uk.net or search for Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service on Facebook.