Question:
HI everyone - Looking for another opinion please.

We have a 15 year old Chihuahua/terrier cross. He has always been extremly healthy. Nothing for 15 years, and I do mean nothing. Not even a cold. He has been seen routinely for his shots. He has always been and is still very active.

Trouble started aprox 8 months ago. He suddenly got very sick. Nose was very dry, coat not shiny, no life always a sleep. We immediatley took him to the current vet at that time - who very nicely informed us that he was old gave us ANTIROBE and sent us home. NOT GOOD enough for us. During this time we noticed he was always pulling at his month and you could not touch it.

We take hime to a 2nd vet. Asked specifically about his teeth being a problem. We were told his teeth were fine. He must have just caught a bug. He is old.

He was on ANTIRObE for 2 week from 1st vet. With in 1 week of being off the ANTIROBE he was in worse shape than before.

Vet #3 now on board. She said that his front teeth (12) needed to come out immediate;y - they were in terrible shape. The pulled them with no complication and back on the ANTIROBE for another 2 weeks. They did warn us that they could have missed some teeth due to his mouth being in such bad shape at the time and he may develope small symtoms and need some more out. Seems fair enough. Aprrox 3 months later we are at point 1 again. Back to the vet again - and another 3 teeth out. More ANTIROBE. 2 weeks worth. 2 weeks after he finishes it he has another VERY serious mouth infection again.

Back we go AGAIN!!!! This time we are told that they are not sure what is going. They assure us that the remaining teeth are healthy. That is gums are receeding. That the jaw bone is softing and the maybe is immune system is probably week. They suggested putting him on pulse theraphy of ANTIROBE 1 week on 2 off. This we know keeps him well BUT I no longer feel we are correcting or even have any idea what the problem is.

Any thoughts on just what the cause of this is>> I really don't want to just treat the symtems. I really want my friend to be well.

We believe the cause to be his teeth. But the current vet has openly stated they have no idea. Possibley teeth come loose from the bone softening and cause infection. The gum receeding causing infection that leades to more teeth loosening. His immune system being weak (although we tend to displell this one as up to now he has never been sick)

Forgot to mention he has already been tested for kidney and heart trobules. Both are tip top.

Any input is greatly appriciated.

Daphne

Answer:
I'm kind of shocked at vets not seeing bad teeth, particularly in a Chi mix - they are notorious for this.

But tooth probs are sometimes secondary symptoms of something more serious - kidney failure, etc.

In a 15 year old dog, it could just be old age catching up. This is quite a long life, and a testament to the great care you have taken of him.

It's up to you how far you want to take this, and how much you want to put him through if he is not in pain or suffering right now.

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