The 13-year-old Jack Russell has a carnassial tooth abscess - Part 3
Channel: Dr David Sing
Date: 04/09/2014

VETERINARY STORIES by Dr Sing Kong Yuen
WILL OLD DOGS DIE DURING ANAESTHESIA? Carnassial Tooth Abscess
27 Jan 2020

This 13-year-old dog suffers from a bleeding facial wound below the right eye. This wound does not heal despite cleaning and repeated antibiotics. Why? 

This is not the usual traumatic wound on the face.  When you lift his right upper lip, you will see he also suffers from Periodontal Disease Stage 4. Stage 4 occurs when more than 50% of periodontal ligament connecting the tooth to the gum is lost to bacterial infections. Pus is formed around the 3 destroyed roots of the carnassial tooth. This is the big cheek tooth called the upper 4th premolar tooth. The pus collects around the roots to form the Carnassial Tooth Abscess.

BLOOD WORK. 
The total white cell count shows an abnormally high number of total white cell count and the number of neutrophils. This blood test show that the dog has a blood-borne bacterial infection.

ORAL X-RAYS.
Not done to lower veterinary cost for the owner.

GENERAL ANAESTHESIA.
Many owners are worried about their old dogs dying during anaesthesia when the dog has dental work. In Toa Payoh Vets, we use only gas anaesthesia and no injectable sedative for old dogs. This is the safest method and least risky for old dogs. My observation during the past 30 years show that old dogs do not die from gas anaesthesia during dental work.   

The tooth will be extracted. Tooth extraction is the most effective and least expensive  treatment as compared to root canal treatment in the dog.  

UPDATE AS AT 27 JAN 2020
The Jack Russell has fully recovered after the dental extraction.

For more information:
TOA PAYOH VETS PTE LTD
Block 1002, Toa Payoh Lor 8, 01-1477, Singapore 319074 
+65 6254-3326, 9668-6468, 9664-0404
judy@toapayohvets.com
99pups@gmail.com
www.toapayohvets.com