My dog has bad teeth. What can I do if vet dental is too expensive?

If Charlotte's breath is very bad, that does suggest dental problems. She likely is swallowing her teeth if they fall out, dogs do that. She really does need to see a vet for these problems, this is not something you can treat at home. I would see if you can borrow money from family and friends to afford the vet, and I can give you some resources that may help. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/ Check out these resources to see if one can help you, and please make an appointment for her with the vet as soon as possible. I hope this helps!

Hi there! Charlotte will need a teeth cleaning under general anesthesia to make her mouth happy and bright again. Your veterinarian may take x rays to see if any of the teeth need to be pulled or filled just like your dentist does. After a thorough exam and work up-charlotte will undergo her procedure and come home with much fresher breath. Brushing after these procedures greatly helps too!

It shouldn't be too expensive. Costs will vary based on clinic and geographic location. Unfortunately, we dont keep lists of veterinarians. You can ask your veterinarian or contact a veterinary dentist. Use the link below to find one close to you. https://www.avdc-dms.org/dms/list/diplomates-map.cfm

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You can consider applying for care credit which can help you cover these expenses or possibly contacting your local humane society which sometimes offers more affordable veterinary care. Good luck and have a great day!

By your description, it is possible your dog has significant tartar build up and possibly periodontal disease. Daily brushing with a pet approved tooth paste/brush can slow the progression. It will not remove existing tartar or clean effectively under the gums. What your dog likely needs is a complete physical exam including oral exam followed by a dental cleaning and dental x-rays under anesthesia. She may need extractions if the periodontal disease is severe. Without treatment, she can have a chronic low grade infection which has the potential to spread to other organs. Eating may become difficult which can further complicate the condition. Discuss payment plans or alternative financing such as CareCredit with your veterinarian. You may also be able to secure financial assistance through Red Rover (www.redrover.org).

That's not good that Charlotte has lost most of her teeth! This is a sign of severe dental disease, as her teeth should not be falling out. I would make an appointment with her vet tomorrow to discuss having a dental procedure done. The vet can examine her remaining teeth, extract those that are diseased, and can clean her remaining teeth. It's very important to have this done because leaving dental disease untreated leads to further health problems such as liver abscesses and endocarditis from the bacteria from the teeth traveling through the bloodstream. The vet can also discuss an appropriate diet for her now that she is missing teeth. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Hi there. No, Petco does not offer dental cleanings. If cost is a concern, you could see if there is a low-cost SPCA clinic in your area that could help, or apply online for Care Credit, which is a payment plan accepted by most veterinary clinics: www.carecredit.com