My Schkipperkees gums

Question
I have a 13yr. old "little captain" His gum has swollen between one of his teeth (the long one). I have been cleaning his teeth and have taken him to get his teeth cleaned once a year along with getting his shots. I don't know what to do. If there is a home safe home remedy remedy I am opened to hearing about it. My dogs teeth are NOT coated with plaque and his breath does not smell bad but he does have a a couple of teeth that appears to have very small brown spots in the hard to reach places. Can you help me find a better way to keep my baby's teeth clean, get rid of the swelling, and continue to give him better oral hygienic care?

Answer

Hi there,

It's great you're taking care of your dog's teeth, but just like people, dogs sometimes require more dental care than daily cleanings.

Even though your dog doesn't have bad breath, swollen and bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. Cleansing or brushing won't fix this problem, your dog may require antibiotics. You shouldn't put off having your dog examined by a vet because early Gingivitis can be reversible.

If your vet needs to anesthetize your dog, this can be safe even for a dog that is 13 years old. It really depends on your dog's overall health, and the kind of anesthesia used.

If you are having trouble affording veterinary care, first talk to your regular vet. Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front. Another option is to contact your local animal shelter or Humane Society. Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs. Yet another option is to contact friends and family and ask for a loan. If you happen to live within driving distance to a veterinary school, check with them to see if they offer discount services to the public. There are two special credit cards to apply for, which help with medical bills (including veterinary bills) read about them here:

http://www.carecredit.com
http://www.healthcard.citicards.com

I hope this helps.
Best of luck,

Patti