Lavenders_Blue Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Tango has a bit of tartar forming around the top of her teeth (upper canines mostly, but a bit on her molars too). There's not a lot at the moment, but obviously I'd like to deal with it before it gets any worse. I've been using Plaque Off at the recommended dose for a few months, but it doesn't seem to have made any difference so can anyone suggest a good alternative for softening and removing the tartar? I thought this Dorwest Toothpaste looks quite good, but can anyone recommend that, or an alternative that works well? I should also add that Tango has deer antler chews and also has a meal containing raw bone every day (usually chicken wings or wild rabbit) which doesn't seem to have shifted it either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I use these, well not me, but George my dog does They are 100% dried fish skins and you can practically hear them cleaning his teeth as he eats them. I usually give him 2/3 a day, especially one or two after his tea. And, thankfully, he absolutely loves them http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250590937373?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 You will really need to use a hand held descaler to remove the hard tartar that she has there now and then you can help stop it reforming by using dental chews & toothpaste. It is too hard to be removed by brushing along. Some dogs can scratch it off by chewing a large uncooked marrow bone but beware of splinters and gastric upset. Pedigree dentastix are not great for dental care so don't waste your money on those Good veterinary toothpastes include Logic, CET, Dentagen & the Dorwest one is fine too as is Plaque Off but it is more for prevention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I've also heard that Plaque-off isn't much good. Cyrus had really manky teeth when he came to us; most of it came off from eating red bones (with a few (free range) chicken carcasses as well) he still had some around the top of his canines so I clean it off with the handle of a teaspoon. I was going to get a descaler but couldn't justify the cost when I have what I need in the kitchen drawer. He has lovely gnashers now and no more gingivitis Hope that you get it sorted, if she can eat red bones then try some lamb ribs; they are real favourites in The Doghouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Thanks everyone CW - Tango has a Fish Jerky every night at bedtime too. I know what you mean about the crunchy cleaning sound DM - Tango's teeth are just as you describe - pearly white but with tartar round the top of the canines. She loves lamb ribs but I can seldom get hold of them CM - I've just had a look at those dental descalers, they look a bit brutal Are they reasonably simple to use or am I at risk of slicing into her gums? A teaspoon might be a blunter and safer option..... Marrow bones are a no-no here, as Tango gets very guardy and growly when she has one so we don't allow it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 LB, I get all my raw bones form a local butcher and then freeze them until needed; is there one near you who could do that? I think there are some videos online showing you how to descale a dog's teeth; so long as you pull the implement down (away) from the gum it shouldn't damage the gum. My friend is a dog groomer and show judge, I asked her to show me a few years ago. Cyrsu lets me do it if I have some homemade liver cake on hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 It all depends on how bad they are as to whether a prompt descale is needed. Any sign of inflammation, hard built up plaque and bad breath to me would constitute a vet visit. If it is just the case of tartar starting to form then bones along with a supplement called Fragaria 3C is very good at softening the plaque - the bones with then take it away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 DM - I think it's just the lamb bones that are in short supply, I can get hold of pretty much anything else! The butcher was completely unhelpful last time I went in and I tried a local dog food company that gets meat from the abbatoir and he told me he could get pretty much anything apart from lamb bones at the moment. Which was a bit annoying as that was exactly what I wanted! LBB - There's no inflammation at all or bad breath etc, it's just the tartar starting to form along the gum line. Not heard of Fragaria C, is that a homeopathic remedy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Hand held descalers are quite sharp and can catch the gums if you are not used to using one or if your dog is a wriggler. The back of a teaspoon works really well, try to get one the is more rounded than square. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Thanks CM, I'm not short of teaspoons so I can definitely give that a go! Tango is quite likely to wriggle and squirm whilst I prod about in her mouth so I would definitely be worried about hurting her if I used a descaler (and she'd never let me near her again if I did). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Do it in stages to get your (and her) confidence up. You will see that it is quite hard and needs to be chipped/s"Ooops, word censored!"ed off. You could also use a cloth finger toothbrush that allows you 'brush' right up to the gum margin where the tartar forms when the tartar has been removed. You do still need to s"Ooops, word censored!"e first though. If she is a dog that likes to chew, you can get k"Ooops, word censored!"bly dental nylabones that can help. Only if she doesn't get growly with that sort of thing though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 She doesn't get growly with antler chews, so I think she'd be okay with anything similar. She doesn't get growly with raw chicken wings and the like either, it seems to be bigger bones that she gets growly about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Ruby's like that when we get the half-spine-end of the lamb ribs (if you know which bit I mean) she really loves those and won't ever growl at me but she'll raise her lip at Cyrus if he goes near her when she has one. Good job she has good teeth as she hates he mouth being mithered; I can do bits on her but she'll pull away when she's had enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 LBB - Not heard of Fragaria C, is that a homeopathic remedy? Thats right Dorwest do them, they go well with bones and tooth brushing by softening the plaque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Thanks LBB. Lots of good ideas on this thread - I'm off to do some plaque busting now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Our dog groomer, who breeds and shows English Pointers, uses and recommends this I have never tried it on my dogs but she says that it is very effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share Posted August 2, 2012 Just a quick update to say thank you to all of you for your advice, but especially to LBB for your suggestion of the amazing Fragaria miracle pillules. After reading through this thread, I thought I'd give the Fragaria pillules a whirl to try and soften up the tartar on Tango's teeth enough to tackle it with a teaspoon and some dog toothpaste. Well I needn't have wasted my money on the dog toothpaste and finger brushes I also bought as the Fragaria has done a marvellous job of removing the tartar all by itself Tango has been having 1 pillule daily for just over a week, and the tartar on her teeth has just about gone, there's just the merest amount still to be removed and I'm certain that will go in the next few days. I am really, really impressed If anyone else has noticed a build up of tartar on their dogs' teeth, then I would gladly recommend this as an easy and effective way of tackling it. I'm quite relieved actually, as despite trying to look at Tango's teeth every day and get her used to me poking about in her mouth, she really hates having her teeth inspected (and quite frankly I don't fancy messing too much with those big, sharp, pointy things! ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I'm pleased that they have worked for Tango, a couple of raw bones (ribs are the best) should help with removing the last stubborn bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 3, 2012 Author Share Posted August 3, 2012 I've not had much joy getting hold of rib bones before, but I'll pop into the butchers today and see if he's got any. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I've not had much joy getting hold of rib bones before, but I'll pop into the butchers today and see if he's got any. Thanks again! Next time I'm up your way I'll see if you want any and can pick them up form my butcher. Mine love the ribs with the vertebrae bit left on - they spend hours nomming them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Some of the supermarkets that still butcher their own meat sometimes will let you have some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I understand that Morrisons is good for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 3, 2012 Author Share Posted August 3, 2012 Oh that's a good idea, we have a Morrisons about 10 miles away, I don't go there often but when I'm in Stamford I can make a detour and see if they have any. DM - that would be exceedingly generous of you, thanks for the offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 I have been at this for Suzi, and have found 3c and 6c... They both say for dogs, I am assuming, as she's a tiny yorkie to get the 3c? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 4, 2012 Author Share Posted August 4, 2012 I think there was only one strength available from Dorwest. I got 3c anyway and Tango is 10.5kg if that's any help? She is having one daily at the moment as she has tartar on her teeth, but it's one a week as a preventative, so very economical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
