Hope had an abscess

[mckitterick]

So our thunderstorm-panic-stricken pup had a bump on the side of her beak for the past couple of days, this after trying to chew her way out of the apartment (how does a dog CHEW a brass doorknob? She GROOVED it with her TEETH).

Shouldn't be a surprise, then, that she probably cracked a tooth. Naturally, it was the biggest, most-expensive-to-remove back tooth, which required drilling and hours of sedation. Sigh.

Oh, and she goes on Doggy Prozac soon to control her anxiety. Also antihistamines to control her allergies (why the gnawing her paws). Sheesh, children. How can people put up with actual HUMAN children when fur-bearing ones are so much work?

Chris

Comments

Chewing

[woadwarrior.livejournal.com]

Well we've had dogs chew through chain link kennels (and then grove our door knobs). Dogs jaws are very powerful, for example a German Shepherd dog can bite at 800 psi. It only takes about 8 psi to break bones btw.

Yes the PM4 (or car-nasal tooth) is a three rooted monster. Not fun to take out, usually requiring the tooth to be split before attempting to elevate the roots out. Not so much fun for patient or surgeon.

Chewing on paws is frequently a neurotic behavior. Although it could be a yeast infection (dog-letes foot). It also could have been some kind of irritation and is now just habit. Morgan does this also, but recently switched to licking her bed.

Some antihistamines can sedate dogs also. I sure your vet is aware of this, but if you feel Hope is too doped up, you might want to inquire about prednisolone (or prednisone). This is a cortisone steroid which dogs tolerate much better than people. J and I thought Morgan was just too groggy on Hydroxyzine so she is on 10mg pred every two to three days and this seems to control her itching pretty well.

Wish I had the "magic pill" for Hopes problems.

Scott