Pomeranian 6 years 6 months old dental cleaning. I'm worried about anesthesia.

[Wtps]

My 6 year 6 month Pomeranian went in for his yearly shots. We finally got a good look in his mouth and found that he has 3 loose teeth. One tooth fell out 2 weeks after his yearly visit so back to the vet on Thursday was told no sign of abscess or infection. I gave him bones used enzymatic toothpaste when HE would allow me yet it didn't work out and I feel terribly about this. He was supposed to go in for a dental last year but I put it off b/c my friends said I was insane to put a dog under anesthesia for a cleaning and I was scared to put him under and didn't know what I know now. Moderate build up on some teeth and he needs a dental. I'm having a consultation w/the vet on Monday and hopefully will have him done next week. He banged his snout a few weeks ago while chasing a cat would that cause the teeth to become loose? Now that's the background here's the issue. I'M DEATHLY AFRAID of him going under the anesthesia. I know tooth loss and decay causes worse problems but I've been crying myself sick and have been ultra nervous about this. I thought I was doing the right thing by giving him bones and brushing with the enzymatic toothpaste but I just couldn't reach all the areas.
I'm afraid he will die at the vets. It's terrible I've lost sleep and can barely eat. I just feel my best friend is going to be lost. Can you please tell me any precautions I can ask the vet to do? I heard certain small breeds don't do well under injection anesthesia and should be given as gas, but on the website it says they pre-medicate with an injection, then IV medication to lose consciousness then gas to keep them under. I heard bad stories about the injections and I'm fearful. This is an animal hospital that is AAHA certified. This isn't a vet dentistry office. Do I need the specialist or am I OK at this vet(this vet also performed my dogs neutering using Isoflurane anesthesia. Does isoflurane involve the injections too or is it just gas? Could his heart and kidneys be damaged?

[Wtps]

Thanks for clarifying about the fibrillator, that's what our veterinarian also said exactly as you put it. I couldn't remember exactly what was said!

Our veterinarian mentioned about keeping him warm and how they have this balloon type thing or something to that effect. (sorry I'm so stressed about this I can't keep it all together) Everything is monitored etc. and he said they carefully monitor and make adjustments if needed etc.

He did mention the nerve block so that's good and told me I'd be going home with pain meds to administer to him at home for the rest of next week.

I had a question about the CET veggie dents are they made in the U.S.? I just checked out the CET Chews Petite for Small Dogs and they seems like he'd choke on them? They are really think and hard(I'm not going to give any to him now, obviously I can't but wonder if this is a good choice for him) plus they were made in Mexico and my other vet said try to preferably get things made in the U.S.

We discussed using a prescription diet tonight and will be going with the d/d by hills. I'm also going to buy some of the treats for him(I feel terribly that he's not going to be able to enjoy them for some time after this though)

This was a real eye opener to me. I feel like I've failed him. After this he's getting dental care daily even if he's in a bad mood.

[Wtps]

Wow thanks for letting me know about the brushing. It's a real eye opener. I need to commit to 7 days a week there's no excuses now. I've been doing some reading about people using ice chips to help the dogs teeth and keep tartar off. I'm not sure what to think of what I've read.

Forgot to mention that I will also be going home with oravet next week as well. I bought CET cat toothbrush and small dog finger ones with malt and chicken paste for after we are out of the woods with the cleaning.

I've honestly been beating myself up over this. I had no idea how severe it had become because he was head shy and didn't like to let me all the way in so most of the time I only saw his front fangs and the small tiny upper and lower teeth. I know that's not an excuse but sometimes I'd try brushing and he'd absolutely make it so that I couldn't continue. The I had him on greenies for about 2-3 years and his teeth were better, but I found them to be a choking hazard at times because I'd watch him when he was eating it and then what I saw it get small I'd try to take it and sometimes he'd try gulping it, plus all the horror stories about the formulations scared me.

Forgot to mention the Dr. said his heart and lungs sound great and that his knees are strong.
Thank you so so much for answering my questions. I will update tomorrow with the blood and urine results. Hopefully it's good news.

[Wtps]

One last piece of info. He seems a bit tired, obviously in pain and just not himself. I've been soaking his food in water getting it soft and feeding him that. He hasn't wanted his petstages orka bone but just 5 mins ago decided he wanted to chew. Thanks again.

[Wtps]

I'm wondering if it would be possible to do just the isoflurane for the procedure(cleaning and extractions)? The plan is to use propofol and valium along with the gas, but I read online that cleanings can be done with just the isoflurane?? And that you don't need any other drugs? Is that true? I'm clueless please help.

[Wtps]

Scratch that I just read for extractions it's necessary. Hopefully that was right info. though.

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

Hi,

Propofol is among the safest induction agents we have. The use of isoflurane requires inserting a plastic or silicone tube into the airway ( as afety factor) and the ability to do that requires the rapid ability to control the head and airway. Induction of anesthesia is most frequently accomplished with an injectable induction agent like propofol. The propofol/isoflurane combination is among the safest. You need not second guess your doctor's jusdgement about the drugs used. Presence of an iv catheter, blood pressure monitoring, airway intubation, warmth provision and other factors are in my view far more critical in the average patient than the actual drugs used to induce anesthesia.

Please let us know how your little guy does.

Sincerely,

Dr. G