IT’LL BE BRACES NEXT !
A trip to our veterinarian last week made me sit back and think about just how far we’ve taken not only our health as humans, but how far we’re going to protect the health of our animals as well.
I’ve had dogs or lived in a household with dogs most of my life. From the time I was 4 or 5 years old, my parents and I always had a dog. And back in the “old days” of the 50s and especially the 60s, the “average” household only had ONE dog. There was no need to have a second dog to keep the first dog company because most Moms were pretty much stay-at-home housewives who car pooled children, attended PTA meetings, became Girl Scout leaders, were totally in charge of household events such as birthday parties and cooking three meals a day and making certain their homes were spic ‘n’ span clean. Back where I originally hailed from and spent most of my childhood, dear old “Mom” didn’t work more than a very part-time job outside the home at most. The majority of her time was spent catering to children, husband and home. In that order. However, I digress.
During those years of growing up with a dog, my Mom always gave whatever dog we had real bones to chew. There was never any question about it. When we had steak or roast beef or ham —especially ham — it was understood the dog always got the bone to take outside and chew until his heart was content and then he’d go bury the bone somewhere. Whether it is true or not, the understanding back in those days was that it was HEALTHY to give the dogs leftover bones because they had to gnaw down their “canine” teeth and that was the best way to get them to do this. Plus, what dog wouldn’t remain faithful to the person giving him such a munchie-licious treat two or three times a week?
When exactly this changed, I’m not really certain because there was a time span after I left home and went to school and then got married when I did not have a dog. But when we did finally get back into dog owning, I was made to understand things had changed and giving dogs real bones from human food was no longer the preferred method for dogs to gnaw down their teeth. Now it is preferred that pet owners buy chew sticks and the like. It was explained that the manufactured raw hides were considered healthier and better for their teeth. OK, who am I to argue with an animal expert?
That was over 20 years ago. Since that time, our family has owned many dogs. Our family prefers larger breeds. But because I’m still in charge of most of the cleaning, I prefer dogs that do not shed — which narrows the spectrum of large dog choices considerably. We pretty much have stayed with standard-size poodles. When groomed on a three- to four-month basis, they rarely ever get stinky and they never shed. Plus the ones we’ve had are exceptionally fun and loveable dogs and extremely easy to train. The only dog we’ve owned in the last 20 years that wasn’t a pure-bred poodle or a mixed poodle was a very large, white German Shepherd whom we all not only loved dearly but respected more than a lot of humans I know. I even stopped complaining about her white hair that I’d find in tufts throughout the house! Sam was an amazing dog — so much so I swear to this day she was half human and if she’d been able to actually speak English, I would have been totally convinced.
Sam was the leader of the pack in the Asheim household for over 12 years and that included the humans who lived here as well. The only thing she would never agree to was allowing anyone of us near the inside of her mouth. With a dog like Sam, if she didn’t want you to do something to her, there was no argument. So the first time we were told we should start brushing her teeth, I laughed. I knew it was never going to happen. Not even if I wanted to try it. Which frankly, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about.
We still have three dogs with us. Two standards and a smaller mix poodle breed. All are wonderful loving pets. All are pretty well behaved and when something needs to be tended to, such as cleaning ears or trimming nails, none are real happy about it, but they allow it for at least a few minutes before they get too antsy and I need to stop for a few minutes. I’ve tried brushing their teeth. It ain’t gonna happen. So when I took our 22-pound mix poodle in for his rabies and parvo vaccinations recently, for which I was charged not only for the vaccines but for a “new patient wellness” visit as well (which totaled $90), she looked in his mouth and promptly let me know he needs to have his teeth cleaned — professionally. Why? Because I’m not going to fight with any one of our dogs to brush their teeth for them. When I told the vet the truth, the vet then said, “He’ll need to have me do them for you.”
OK. What do you charge for this? “Well, we do have to put them under anesthesia. So it’s the anesthetic and my time” you are paying for. The vet wasn’t sure what it cost so told the receptionist to give me a cost of what it would be for a “teeth cleaning.” The receptionist told me what it cost for a canine teeth cleaning. My reaction was fairly obvious. It usually is when I react with a WHAT?? The charge is how much?!
Would you believe $238 to get a 22-pound dog’s pearly whites brushed? SERIOUSLY??
My dentist doesn’t even charge ME that much for crying out loud! Frankly, I still can not believe it.
Needless to say, none of our dogs will ever die with pure breat,h that’s for sure. WHO in their right mind would pay $238 for a dog to have his teeth cleaned? The vet explained that while our dog’s teeth weren’t “too bad” right now, eventually — and especially since I don’t brush his teeth on a regular cycle now — the dog will probably develop periodontal disease, which will endanger his health, etc., etc.,
In the last 20 years we’ve owned five dogs. So far, all but one has lived a very long (a cock-a-poo lived until he was 15 and Sam lived until she was nearly 13) and happy life. We still have an 11-year-old standard poodle that isn’t showing his age and Jack has never had his teeth brushed but once. And had I tried to brush them again, I’m pretty sure I’d be missing a finger or hand and Jack would be dead.
I love our dogs. We spend a lot to have each of our three groomed, we don’t buy cheap food or treats and we spend plenty on raw hides for them to gnaw down on. But I’ll tell you what — before I spend $238 to have any one of their teeth cleaned, I’ll let their teeth fall out and cook them dinner every night!
WISHING EVERYONE IN THE RRV A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !
All comments or questions can be sent to: sooasheim@aol.com or tfinney@ncppub.com