Scratches mouh and saliva-stained front legs

SUNDAY'S INTERESTING CASE STUDIES

Mar 16, 2010
A young couple brought their dog came in for consultation of skin lumps on the back spinal area.

Why did this 12-year-old male Shih Tzu have purplish stains on the upper part of his front legs? Bad breath, Thin. Treatment with antibiotics and anti-fungal wash. Advised dental 7-10 days later as this would be ideal time as dog had antibiotics and his mouth would be free of bacteria.

May 2, 2010 (Sunday)
No saliva stains. I was surprised to see pure white hairs on front legs now. So, the dog had not been rubbing his painful mouth with his front legs. Dental scaling and extraction.

ANAESTHESIA
All 12-year-old dogs are high anaesthetic risks. Blood tests advised but not accepted. This must be recorded. Isoflurane gas anaesthesia is the safest method.

TEETH
15 loose teeth extracted. Dog goes home. Should be living longer now.

CONCLUSION
It is best to get your dog dental scaling from 2 years of age and every year or two, rather than live with bad breath and saliva-stained front paws. After the dental, he permitted his mouth to be opened as there was not much pain now.