Hi
We have a male Collie that is 6 m old, we have been told by our vet we have to see a special vet who
deals with dental health.  Riley's canine teeth are going into his top gums, is this something that will get better in time or will he have to have surgery.

Are these his puppy teeth or adult teeth? Quite often puppy canines aren't shed naturally which makes their adult 'replacements' come through in the wrong place. If the retained milk teeth are removed (that involves surgery because they have very big roots, which are normally absorbed to allow the teeth to be shed) the adult ones will usually correct themselves, with a little gentle pressure when you're watching TV!

Your vet's the best person to advise you though.

Hi Jeangenie
It's Riley adult teeth, we have a appt April 5th with the dental specialist, I have      always had Shelties I never had this kind of thing happen with my Sheties, both my Shelties passed away 10 m ago to cancer 4 weeks apart. Riley is my frist Collie and I hate to see him go through this. He is a little scared about people looking in his mouth, I have been working with each day to help him get over this fear, Riley is only 6m old, I'm sure I can do it.
Linda

Hi Guest,

The fact that your vet who has examined the dog has indicated that you would do well to see a specialist in canine dentition would tend to suggest that there is little anyone can advise you on the internet :(  There are numerous reasons for teeth growing incorrectly, often more in relation to the length/width of the muzzle or lower jaw.  Obviously there is a problem so I would think you should be asking your vet for a referral to such a specialist to decide what, if any, action is required.  "Surgery" may be no more complicated than a regular extraction of one or more teeth - although obviously in the case of animals this would have the added risk of general anaesthetic.

Hopefully it will be a minor condition which will naturally rectify as the dog develops or will be easy to treat.  However, *please* don't neglect seeing a specialist as your dog could be in danger of developing an extremely painful problem.

Good luck,  perhaps you could post on how you get on :)
Regards, Teri   

Hi Teri
I do have a referral from our Vet, the dental specialist can't get us in until April 5th, I see that our collie has a very sore mouth,  Riley's adult teeth have come in early maybe thats whats wrong, we only have one dental specialist here in Calgary, it just bugs me that we have to wait so long.
I will let you know how it goes
Linda

Hi Linda,

Great that you've registered so please accept a warm welcome to Riley and yourself to Champ Dogs :)  Good news too about you at least having a referral - although I can understand your frustration at not being able to get one immediately :(

Hopefully he will cope between now and then - perhaps you could press your vet for something either from himself or prescribed by the specialist to sooth any gum pain in between - similar to the types of soothing gel used for babies teething which can have a mild anaesthetising affect.  I'd also check if he can recommend whether Riley may be better to be on a soft moist food at the moment that he doesn't need to crunch too much, although conversely large raw meaty bones - under *constant* supervision - may help in between meals too.  It's obviously difficult because I can only imagine how Riley's canines are affecting the comfortable operation and closure of his mouth so these suggestions may not be appropriate and even although your vet is no dental expert he should at least be able to offer some advice.

Will be keeping everything crossed for you that all goes well at your appointment and in the interim.  Good luck, will look forward to updates,
Regards Teri :)

Hi Linda,

I don't know if it would work in Riley's case but there is a technique of enouraging the dog's teeth to reposition.  The information is from a vet in Belgium and I have seen it work in a young dog (5-6 months) but it depends on whether the problem is with the teeth or the jaw, if only the teeth are the problem ie. coming in too upright, then the chances of it working are greater.

this is the link

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00047.htm

don't know if it will help, but you never know ;)

Regards
Dill

Hi Dill
Thank you for the link. I will check it out.
Linda

You're welcome Linda,

Hopefully it will be of some help ;)