My Chihuahua's Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning Under General Anesthesia: A Personal Experience

Hello!

I've been brushing my dog's teeth with a regular toothbrush and toothpaste since she's been living with me. To be fair, she mainly eats soft food. By the time she was six years old, she had a stone on her teeth. I'd been thinking about whether I should remove it for ages, so I finally went to a vet for a consultation.

The Cost of the Service

The procedure, including the initial consultation, cost me around 1000 rubles. Plus, the cost of anesthesia was calculated separately, taking into account the animal's weight. I also had to pay for some additional tests, like a general blood test (700 rubles), biochemistry (600 rubles), and a heart ultrasound (800 rubles), which together cost 5500 rubles.

Reasons for the Procedure. Why Under General Anesthesia? Is It Really Necessary?

At first, I thought I wouldn't need anesthesia. Many vets emphasized that they perform cleaning without it, saying small-breed dogs have weak hearts. But I decided to do some research and consult with specialists I trust. They explained that if the dog makes a sudden, incorrect movement during the procedure, it can lead to injuries, like a broken jaw. I didn't want that.

During the initial consultation, the doctor tried to do everything mechanically. He took a tool that looked like scissors and tried to grab the stone, but the dog didn't like it, and there were many stones, including in hard-to-reach places, so it was clear it wouldn't work.

So, the reasons for the procedure were:

I couldn't remove the stone without anesthesia using a mechanical method. There were many of them, and they were far apart.Because of the many stones, the teeth were getting damaged, up to falling out.The stone was causing heart problems (according to the doctor).

I was also told about sterilization. I was a bit worried about complications after the surgery, and until my dog was six years old, I didn't agree to it. But this time, I decided that since anesthesia would be used anyway, I might as well combine the two procedures. However, I did my dog's blood tests and heart ultrasound before the general anesthesia to make sure her health was okay.

Preparation for the Procedure

Aside from the tests and ultrasound a few days before the surgery, the day before the cleaning, I was told not to feed my dog in the evening. The water had to be removed three hours before. I was asked to bring a warm blanket to help the dog recover afterwards. The clinic was cold, and after anesthesia, it often gets chilly.

How It All Went

I took my pet to the clinic on the scheduled day. They examined her, weighed her, took her temperature, and asked about her overall health, any illnesses, and I signed the consent for anesthesia. It was nerve-wracking, and I wouldn't say I wasn't scared. Taking on responsibility for procedures that involve a risk to life and health isn't easy. I was hesitant about the decision until the last minute.

First, they gave my dog a relaxing shot. After that, she became lethargic, and there was one instance of a vomiting reflex. As the vet explained, this happens because the muscles in the stomach also relax. We had to wait 10 minutes after the shot before administering anesthesia. By the end of that time, my pet was just lying there. She didn't have the energy to stand up. Then, the vets came in and administered general anesthesia. And then they took my dog away.

I don't know how long the actual cleaning took, but the sterilization process, including it, took 40 minutes. They cleaned her teeth at the end. By that time, my dog was starting to come around, and she was growling at the specialists. They told me about this afterwards.

They brought her back to me wrapped in a blanket.

Almost immediately, the animal started reacting to sounds, trying to stand up. We sat in the waiting room for another 30 minutes, and the vets observed their furry patient, before letting us go home with all the recommendations.

Post-Procedure Care

Since this review is about the dental cleaning, I'll talk about the care for the teeth specifically. I'll write a separate review about the sterilization process.

The care for the teeth and gums turned out to be relatively simple.

Until the next morning, the animal was not allowed to eat. I think this was also due to the sterilization. I'll say right away that my dog didn't ask for anything. She was resting in her dog crate. After all, she had gone through a lot that day.It was only possible to start offering water in the evening. Suggest, but don't force. My pet started drinking only the next day.Don't feed solid food for another three days. I gave my dog meat in the form of a paste. I boiled grains. My pet eats homemade food - boiled chicken, beef, sometimes fish, and rice porridge. I didn't change her diet. I just went from chunks to ground meat for this period. I forbade the family from giving her treats.For five days after the cleaning, it was necessary to rinse the gums and teeth with chamomile tea immediately after meals. Without sugar, of course. For its preparation, I poured hot water over the herbal packs.

I poured the resulting drink into a syringe without a needle and performed the procedure.

That's pretty much all that was needed for oral care. And, of course, I checked for any damage.

Three weeks later, I started cleaning my pet's teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste. The vet recommended doing this two to three times a week. I hope that, thanks to her, my pet won't have any more tartar buildup.

Photo of the Result

Now, let's talk about the results. My dog had a pretty bad case of tartar buildup.

Before

AfterAfter the cleaning, it was almost completely gone.

Before AfterThe results are pretty clear.

Before AfterThere's hardly any left, except for one spot in the back.

AfterEven the remaining tartar that was left after the mechanical cleaning was removed with the ultrasonic treatment.

After mechanical cleaning

After mechanical cleaning

After ultrasonic cleaning

My Thoughts on the Procedure

I'm really happy with the results of the procedure. Of course, the quality of the procedure depends on the preparation and the clinic chosen. You should take care of your pet's health just like your own...We all know we're responsible for their well-being...

Some things that might be considered drawbacks are:

General anesthesia. That's always a risk. I recommend checking your pet's heart, running some tests, and consulting with specialists before proceeding.

But the positives far outweigh the negatives:

Easy preparation

Simple aftercare

Healthy teeth for my dog

Reasonable cost

Whether or not to get a cleaning is up to each individual, but I recommend getting rid of tartar buildup to prevent tooth loss and other health issues. Make sure to do all the necessary prep work beforehand.

Thanks for reading!