Lavenders_Blue Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Tango's canine's are not pointy and sharp as they should be, but seem to be blunt/worn down. I had noticed but hadn't really thought much of it until my mum commented on it a couple of days ago. It doesn't seem to be causing any problems to her at the moment, but she's only young (3-ish, we think) so if they continue to wear down I presume this could cause pain/discomfort in the future? Any ideas what could be causing this? Tennis balls? Rubber balls? Antler chews? Soft enamel? I'm going to mention it to the vet when she goes for her boosters in a few weeks's time but any thoughts would be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 I have noticed that one of Lara's lower canines seems to be blunter than the other one. She is only one year old. I wonder if her antler chew is to blame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 27, 2013 Author Share Posted May 27, 2013 It will be a shame if it is the antler chews, they do seem very hard though. Tango loves having a gnaw on hers. Plus I just won 5 in a competition so I have a drawer full of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Good grief, how long would it take Tango to get through all those Lara really chews at hers but has only sharpened the end...it is quite a dangerous item now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 27, 2013 Author Share Posted May 27, 2013 Good grief, how long would it take Tango to get through all those Lara really chews at hers but has only sharpened the end...it is quite a dangerous item now I think it's probably several years' worth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Mine love antler chews and they don't seem to damage/wear their teeth. I'd get it checked out though - it could be something from her pre-rescue days, but best explore all avenues. A friend on LL has an older rescued lurcher whose teeth had been ground down when he was rescued he has blunt teeth on all parts of his jaws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 I can't say that I am a fan of antler chews. I trialled one with my dog who is a pretty gentle chewer. The one intended for her size she ate and then threw up the sharp splinters. The larger ones she finds too hard and uncomfortable to gnaw on. I am glad that she can't chew to be honest as the splinters can be sharp and what goes in has to come out! Re your dog's teeth, they can be crowned by a veterinary dentist if you feel that you would like that done at some point. It wont be cheap but it may well be covered by your insurance. Veterinary crown fitting (medical images - not gory but beware if you don't like medical things!)- follow link blog to 2nd blog to see final crown fitting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share Posted May 28, 2013 Thanks both. I'll get them looked at in a few weeks when we go to the vet for boosters. It's just the very tip of the canines and no other teeth, hence I hadn't been too concerned, but as you say best to get it looked at professionally. I don't think we're anywhere near the stage of having to think about dental work/crowning. Maybe I've been lucky but we've had no problems with antler chews here, certainly no splintering or swallowing large chunks. I'd definitely be worried if that were happening. I've had it dropped on my foot a few times which hasn't been pleasant though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 I can imagine, they are quite hard, never had one splinter either, they just wear down gradually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 I've just done a bit of research and it would appear that there is growing talk of antler chews and broken, worn and damaged teeth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 I will proceed with caution. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Tennis balls definitely wear down tooth enamel, so I'd avoid those! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 Thanks CD, I had heard that. I am limiting her tennis ball play, we used to take her tennis ball chucker out a lot but I have been limiting tennis balls to agility training only (once a week) as it is her ultimate best reward. Hoping once a week won't cause too much damage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 That's interesting CM. I have taken Lara's antler chew away. She plays with a tennis ball a lot. How can it damage teeth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 The felt is thought to be very abrasive on the teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 That's interesting CM. I have taken Lara's antler chew away. She plays with a tennis ball a lot. How can it damage teeth I think they basically work like very abrasive scouring pads - google 'fly ball' and 'worn tooth enamel' etc and you'll find a lot! If teeth are already showing signs of wear, I'd avoid them completely and get a different type of ball! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 I know a veterinary dental specialist and he will not allow the sale of tennis ball toys for dogs in the practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Try a Kong ball, they are Ruby's firm favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Lara spends her whole beach walk retrieving the tennis ball which we use with a launcher. Can the Kong ball be used in this? I had no idea that tennis balls caused such a problem. She loves hers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Oh no. My two labs love to play with a tennis ball especially the young one, whenever we sit on the bench in the garden she races around until she finds one and then drops it on the bench for us to throw. I will have to find something else for her to retrieve, I will look at a Kong, any other suggestions. Thanks Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 30, 2013 Author Share Posted May 30, 2013 Do you mean the Kong squeaky tennis balls, DM? I mostly use a rubber ball for Tango now but she much prefers a tennis ball (all balls are not equal) which is why I use a tennis ball for training. Will take a look at the Kong tennis balls and see if they stand up to the tough test - Tango can shred one of the pet tennis balls in seconds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Do you mean the Kong squeaky tennis balls, They do tennis balls (very tough) and also rubber balls. I tend to roll the balls rather than chuck them up; all that jumping in the air isn't good for dogs with longer backs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 30, 2013 Author Share Posted May 30, 2013 Thanks, I will take a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 For tooth purposes, I'd be careful of anything that looks like a tennis ball, whatever it is sold as, unless it specifically says that it does not cause tooth wear. It might be worth contacting Kong and asking them about theirs? Ooo - just found this! http://www.kongcompany.com/en-uk/products/for-dogs/airdog/airdog/kong-airdog-squeakair-ball/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 That's the one Ruby likes, and the only squeaky thing she hasn't disembowelled. They also do a plain rubber ball the same size as a tennis ball. Being a hunting dog, she only does a token impression of a retriever before she decides that I have learned that trick and she's bored she's generally not into repetitive games so I have to vary things to keep her interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
