Fractured Canine.... :(

[turnnburn52984]

So my idiotic dog has raised the bar on his 'idiot' levels.

His separation anxiety has gotten to the point that while trying to escape his crate, he fractured his lower R canine. I took him into work today, and the Dr. said that the pulp is exposed. Sigh. That leaves me 2 options, to my understanding. Root Canal, or Extraction. Obviously, Extraction is MUCH cheaper. I'd love to be in a position where I can say money is no object, but lets be honest, it's an object. Not a deal breaker either way, i'll do the right thing for Koenig, but I'd like everyone opinions.

IF we went the route of an extraction- all you sport people... what will that do to his bite/grip? Could it really impact his bite-work? I've never seen a SchH dog (or any bite sport, for that matter) missing a tooth. I know that tooth injuries are not unheard of, but what do ya'll think?

Dang dog. It's really a shame I love him so much.


(we're getting the S.A. under control, with LOTS of exercise, mental stimulation, busy toys/stuffed toys, ClomiCalm and Zanax, so this issue will NOT present it's self again!)

[MXCasey]

I found myself in your situation a few months ago (the only difference is Koko broke her canine during an attack). I did the root canal job (well, contracted a dentist to do that for me ). Reason: now she still has part of her tooth left. I am still very aware of the fact that she might/probably will break other teeth (especially canines) as the pressure is divided less equally, but still I think it is much better then having the entire tooth removed. Still she will probably break more teeth but if she can keep at least part of each tooth she looses her bite will still be very functional. Money wasn't really an issue here, not because I'm rich (quod non ) but because I had to contract a dentist to the specialist work either way and all other costs were fixed.

If you can arrange the money-thing I'd always try to conserve as much of the tooth as possible. Implants are a big no-no though

Kees

[leih merigian]

Can't offer any experience, but do want to offer condolences! That's such a drag...

[vneerland]

I would not remove what is not needed. I have had some dogs break teeth without me noticing it at first. The pulp stayed exposed for a long time (ouch) but it never showed up in their behavior. That is not a suggestion to leave things untended. Just that you have some time to brood about the best option or maybe put some money together for a root canal. I too think that, if you plan to do bitework, teeth tend to be a big help. Once one canine is broken though, expect the opposing tooth to go next, due to the pressure that Kees was talking about. Some dentists will file down the opposing tooth, to control the level of 'breakage' that will happen anyway. While drastic, I have seen that I should have done that. (and of course did not, because I could not bring myself to)

[kimkim]

These dogs are crazy! I have seen a few dogs that have broken their teeth and the vets have capped them with titanium and made it look like a tooth again. Did your vet suggest that at all? I think it is a little pricey but just another option if you are worried about his grip on sleeves. But then again, I have seen a few dogs also with missing teeth or broken teeth that do just fine with bite work.
My girl is wearing her K9's down a little because she always has to have a toy in her mouth. I stopped giving her balls and am trying to stick with odd shaped toys or soft ones to help stop the wearing of the teeth.

[turnnburn52984]

Jenny already suggested a titanium cap. (on my fb page)
Koenig would look totally badass with a flashy cap like that..... bwahahaha.



Yup... Needs a shiny cap on one of those suckers.

[Christie M]

Jenny already suggested a titanium cap. (on my fb page)
Koenig would look totally badass with a flashy cap like that..... bwahahaha.



Yup... Needs a shiny cap on one of those suckers.

I have seen a few dogs with capped teeth. However, I have also seen those caps fail and the tooth fracture underneath. My opinion - if its not effecting her work at all, then leave it alone. Check it often to make sure you aren't brooding an abscess. My male had a canine extracted and now 4 years later, he still has exposed jaw/bone because the gum flap coving the hole fell apart. I have seen many dogs work with broken or missing teeth. Its a super common injury.

[turnnburn52984]

So Christie, you think I'd be OK just leaving it alone for now, since he's not showing any signs of pain? We were at training today, and he's still hitting hard, fast, and with a nice full bite. (till he has an idiot moment )

The pulp is exposed, which is why I'm worried about not doing anything. Asheley? Any opinions? What do you think? I can try and get a picture of it, but I'm not sure how well it'd show. (i'll go try, just for the heck of it)

[kimkim]

Was the vet able to tell you if that tooth was going to die? Hopefully it wont...
I have also seen those titanium break off but that was after a year or two of use (for the ones that did break). The dogs that I know that have had them were military working dogs (Mal and a Pit) and my friends Mal who trains in French Ring. My trainers Mal broke his tooth on a leg bite, snapped it in half, they had to extract it and it took months to heel. They did a skin graph to cover the hole and after months and months of crated and nothing in the mouth and soft food recovery, he is back in action and competing. So whatever you decide should work out either way.

[turnnburn52984]

He didn't mention anything either way (die, or not). I'd assume that with the root exposed, the possibility of the tooth dying isn't too far out there.

[Christie M]

So Christie, you think I'd be OK just leaving it alone for now, since he's not showing any signs of pain? We were at training today, and he's still hitting hard, fast, and with a nice full bite. (till he has an idiot moment )

Darryl Richey had a pit bull named Gabe that broke off his 2 upper canines. Complete pulp exposure. A few vets suggested root canal or extraction. Finally we went to the canine dentist and he suggested leaving them until they become a problem - which they never did. Second opinion at another dentist, same advise.

Dobie in our club was NOT a fan of gunfire and snapped off both of her bottom canines when the neighbor was siting in a rifle. Local vet said pull, cap or root canal. Then the specialist advised leaving it- although he would be happy to take her money if she really did want to pursue. We are at 2 years since that episode and she has had no problems.

Anytime that you have blood exposure, you have an increased risk of infection. But overall, the pulp eventually recedes. I am sure that there are stories on both sides, but if it were my dog I would leave it alone. I honestly don't think I know anyone who has been in the working sports for any period of time who hasn't dealt with broken canines.

[turnnburn52984]

Pictures! Had to wait for my other half to get home from Search and Rescue to get pics- when the zoom lens is in Macro mode my arms are not long enough. Plus, my hand in is Koenig's mouth, so I kinda have to pay attention to him....








Ouch, Huh?

[vneerland]

The dogs that I know that have had them were military working dogs (Mal and a Pit) and my friends Mal who trains in French Ring. .

Pit? MWD? Not unless they changed the rules recently, but as far as I know, they only accept GSD, Mal, and DS. (for their bite dogs)

Ouch, Huh?

Not too bad. Just a tip, nice clean straight break. It does look a little "older" to me (not as recent) but I am sure that is my monitor. Not something that I would waste a cool grand on (the price that I paid for the titanium crown that I had to put in one of my K9s) I have had this happen and did not do a root canal. But I know that MxCasey did, and I am sure he had a good reason to do so. Kees and Ash can tell us what the danger is of leaving it 'as is'. I am sure it goes beyond the dogs desire/comfort to bite.

[turnnburn52984]

It's not fresh... it happened a month(ish) ago.

Gotta run to work, but THANK YOU to everyone. Your opinions mean a lot!

[kimkim]

Pit? MWD? Not unless they changed the rules recently, but as far as I know, they only accept GSD, Mal, and DS. (for their bite dogs)

(cant seem to get the quote thing to work right now)...

He was a pit or a pit mix. He was not a certified patrol dog, although his handler tried/hoped to some day get him certified, he was used for detection, and he got dispo'd out after a few years of service (after Lackland) due to a back issue and he also lost some interest in the work. This was about 5-6 years ago.

As for the tooth, I was expecting more of it to be gone, looks like he will still have a nice grip.

[turnnburn52984]

Yeah, it's just the tip he knocked off, just enough to expose the pulp.