Caring for an older dog and teeth cleaning...

I've known dogs older than yours who have gone under to get their teeth scaled. After your dog gets it done, you'll need to prevent further buildup. Consult your vet and he/she will advise you properly about any dangers with general anesthetic and preventative measures for tartar buildup. Good doggy dental health is important, so all the best to you and your dog's health and happiness.

 

He will be just fine... My DH works at an animal hospital and in the MANY years he has worked there they have only had one animal die while getting their teeth cleaned. They found out that the dog was VERY sick and would have died very soon even if they did not have the teeth cleaned.

Sammy my older dog who is 11 gets his teeth cleaned at least once even sometimes twice a year. It is VERY VERY safe.

 

It will probably make you feel better if your vet runs pre-anesthetic bloodwork; it's an easy way to check the liver, kidneys, etc.

 

This is an excellent point.

OP, I totally understand your concern. We are having our eldest beagle's teeth done this year (she will be 12 this summer). They definitely need to be done but it makes me very nervous -- I'm a total worry wart and was a nervous wreck last year when we had our 5 year old beagle's teeth done, lol. However, have a good long talk with your vet about it and how they will care for your dog. This helped me a lot (our vet told me about how they will monitor her very careful, do bloodwork ahead of time, she'll have warm water bottles surrounding her for when she comes out of anesthesia, etc).

Best of luck! I think vet visits are usually harder on us than it is on them.

 

L&M, you're a worrywart because you care.
When's your dog getting his teeth scaled? Have you booked a day/time yet?

 

^ Well, all the best for when he gets it done.