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What to do about severe tartar buildup in a 10-year-old dog
Severe tartar buildup in a 10-year-old dog mainly involves two treatment methods: ultrasonic teeth cleaning and tooth extraction.
- Ultrasonic teeth cleaning
Because dogs need to be under general anesthesia before undergoing ultrasonic teeth cleaning, which poses a relatively high risk for elderly dogs aged 10, it is recommended that owners first take their dogs to the pet hospital for a complete blood count (CBC) to assess the dog's blood cell status, followed by a blood biochemistry test to evaluate liver and kidney function. The dog should also undergo a coagulation test. Once all these indicators are acceptable, the teeth cleaning procedure can be performed.
After the teeth cleaning surgery, owners should brush their dogs' teeth regularly to maintain oral health, feed soft food sparingly, and consider using mouthwash or toothpaste for a period of time.
- Tooth extraction
If severe gum recession and visible tooth loosening or falling out have occurred due to tartar buildup in an elderly dog, it is recommended to take the dog to the pet hospital as soon as possible for tooth extraction to avoid affecting the dog's eating habits.
- Precautions
Owners should clean their dogs' teeth promptly once they detect tartar buildup, as long-term neglect can lead to tooth loss and oral diseases. In daily life, owners should avoid feeding their dogs human food, especially those with salt content, as long-term consumption can cause severe tartar buildup. It is better to feed the dog mainly dog food.