Hi, I am after some advice for my mother. Her dog, a Leonberger, who is a 11 months old bitch.

When her 2nd teeth (the dogs not my mum's!!) came thru her milk teeth didn't fall out. The bottom ones came thru a bit behind the milk teeth and so the milk teeth didn't fall out like they should although they did all fall out eventually. The top ones were fine.

Then someone noticed that her bottom canines(?) (the big pointy ones) don't lean outwards like they should do.

They have taken her to a dog dentist and been advised they are 3 choices.

1, Grind down teeth and put on caps.
2, Brace them
3, Take them out

The first 2 involve her being anthetised (sp?) 3 or 4 times.

He has said that actually the bottom teeth are not doing what they should because the top teeth are not in the right place to allow them to do it. (Is that a forward jaw? but her bite is alright?)

They are thinking having them out will be the best option. Has anyone had this done? Will it affect her 'look' alot?

Any advice welcomed!

I would go for the option that was in the best interest of the dog healthwise :)

Is she going to be showing her as will this have an slant on which one she should go for ? :)

Lucy
xx

They did want to show her but they really don't want her to have 3 or 4 ops.

Will having the teeth out affect her eating or anything else? the dog dentist said it would affect her if she was a tuggy tuggy type of dog as she wouldn't be able to tug aswell but she isn't really.

If they want to show her then they can't have the teeth braced, because that would 'alter the natural conformation of the dog' and they'd probably be refused permission to show.

Hi
my dog has an overshot mouth
he is 6 months old
and after veiwing the same posibilities i have booked him in to have both lower cainine teeth removed next week
it has been a very difficult choice
Helen

Why did you come to that decision ?

Were you given the same three options just out of interest ? :)

Lucy
xx

Is that not a little premature at only 6 months old?

They have also been told that they need to do something within 3 months as otherwise the teeth may penetrate her soft palete.

Goodness, that sounds awful.

Please dont tell me if i am sure i'm doing the right thing?
His teeth are growing into his upper gum into the holes where his upper cainine teeth were
the vet has examinined him and given the same 3 options- braceing and root canal treatment would have to be done at a dental centre and the removal can be done by the vet who also recommended castration whilst under anasetic
yes i have also been told to wait until his personality has developed before getting him castrated but also been told of many people who have had their dog done at 6 months on the advice of their vet!
there is a lot advice around breeders, vets and others
i am an other and can only make my own decision after hearing lots of advice

Hi Helen0362

Please don't think anyone was casting doubt on your decision - it is however quite a drastic procedure to have done and, anyone not seeing the dog physically, may not be able to imagine that it is indeed a requirement for the dog's wellbeing :)

I was asked some time ago to visit our local dog rescue to assess if one of their residents was a variety of my own breed.  The dog I was asked to see was not however while there I did see a youngster, probably around 6-8 months of age, which was so badly overshot that the bottom jaw was at least an inch (if not more) shorter than it should have been.  This poor little mite was clearly in distress, very thin and in poor coat/condition and unable to close it's mouth properly.  It almost certainly would require rapid attention by a specialist in a similar vein to which you describe and, even then, I'm not sufficiently experienced to say it would be successful as far as long term comfort and benefit to the dog was concerned.

Having seen such an alarmingly bad bite I can fully understand why such procedures may require to be done within a very short period of the adult canines coming through :(

I hope your pup's procedure is successful.
Good luck,  Teri :) 

Thank you for not attacking me - that i'm not doing the right thing - as i previously posted a couple of questions that got into quite a heated debate with others (glad i wasn't in it although idid post the original thread for info or advice)
as i wrote i am not a breeder, proffesional or show dogs but have  took on a pup with an overshot mouth that may need treatment
I would be more than happy to e-mail photos of his mouth for more help / advice /or support
i did make the decision on my vets advice to have both lower canine teeth out next Monday (booked 2 weeks ago) now i have sloght doubts as 1 tooth is not as bad as the other - one sits into the top gum and the not so bad one sits at the side into the gum but only just- i know its probably impossible to tell how bad it is without seiing so i'm more than happy to send photos to any body who have  experience,etc
Will probably take our dog to our vet before the op on Fri or Sat to look again
Helen

Helen, has your Vet mentioned orthotic dental bands?  They're like fine elastic bands just popped over the dogs teeth.  I've seen them used with success on lower canines with 2 young dogs.

Yes Val
seems his prblem would be the lower cainine teeth need to be facing outside and his teeth would need to be moved towards the outside - so the bands would not be an option - however been told about a ball that is placed inside his mouth that gently moves the teeth outwards- but can you imagine a dog with something wedged or stuck in his mouth
will still wait a bit cause i understand the difficulty in removing healthly teeth and any other problems which may arise
Helen

For more information about the removable orthodontic device ( ball :) )  try reading

this  the dog is only encouraged to play with the ball, which has to be the right size for each dog. 

I have seen it work, the canines had already begun to affect the gums (not the palate ;) )  but in about two weeks they were perfect :)

Hope this helps
Dill

Hi Again Val
Found more info including re bands!  this message that was posted on champdogs  -  maybe from you?

By Val Date 24.08.05 11:43 GMT
Do you mean that her bottom canines are growing into the roof of her mouth?  If so, PLEASE don't anyone talk you into using dental bands.  I know of someone who did and the band moved from in front of the incisors to under the jaw.  The circulation was cut off and the band cut into the underjaw.  Not a pretty sight! 

Yes that was someone that I knew who thought that they'd do it themselves without their Vet!  Definitely not recommended! :(

I've seen two different Vets brace and band - no, sorry, I'm not going to post it on a public board incase some idiot tries to do it themselves! 

Hi Teri
forgot to mention when we bought him (Did lots of research re: overshot mouth) so i knew i might have a little problem when he gets his adult teeth! He was and still eats and drinks well
He is a border collie vet (said on average 14-20kg when adult) He weighs 13.8kg at 6 months old!!! The vet also said boys tend to be bigger and heavier than girls
i'm still very happy with my Bc he is healthy, a very quick learner, excellent temperament (although all dogs he sees he wants to play with)
attends puppy training (so far been 4 weeks) and we are all very proud of him
Helen

I hope you didn't think I was questioning you at all I was just interested in what advise you were given ;)

Lucy
xx

not at all Lucy
i know - i didn't give much info anyway
Helen

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