Help I have an unusual problem

[Top Dog]

I have a realy unusual problem which only a vet could possibly answer. I just received a four month old puppy and she has serious teeth problems. Her lower bottom canine baby tooth is pointed towards her front teeth, and particially exposed from the gums also her adult canine is up it has gingivitis and is pointed towards her back teeth, also another tooth is coming up right behind it and its looking like another canine. Her gums are uneven. Her bottom left lip is dragging. She now has a lump on her upper lip. The other baby canines are grey in color and brittle. I have never seen anything like it before, has anyone else have??? I have consulted two vets and they said they have never seen anything like it before. One vet wanted to operate and pull the baby canine and the adult canine but the other vet said to wait and see the full outcome when she is six months old. I purchased this puppy to breed but I do not intend to now even though they tell me this is not a heridatary problem I do not feel comfortable with breeding her, I have decided to pet her out but I am woundering if this problem could lead to further medical problems?? HELP SOMEONE.

[krazy4birds]

Top Dog.....We have a vet who is a member on this forum who could probably help you. Go through the "Introduce Yourself" posts and you will find his credentials. Good Luck

[RWDVM]

Dear Top Dog:

It is always difficult to make a recommendation based on a description. However, from what you described, it sounds like this dog likely has a pretty bad case of retained deciduous (baby) teeth and possibly supernumary (too many) teeth as well. Both of these conditions most typically occur is small breed dogs. With retained deciduous teeth, if they have not come out by 4 months of age, they are not likely going to. I typically extract these teeth at the time of neuter or spay at 6 months of age. However, since these deciduous teeth seem to be rooted to the point of deforming and interfering with the growth of the permanent teeth, it would probably bebest to remove them ASAP.

The "lumps" may be inflammation due to impaction of the underlying teeth. Anyone who has had experience with wisdom teeth impaction knows very well how painful impaction can be. I therefore side with the vet that says take them out. As far as supernumary teeth, I usually leave them unless they cause occlusion problems. I agree with your decision not to breed this dog. This kind of deformity most certainly has a significant genetic component. Part of the predisposition for a condition such as this is anatomical configuration of the jaw bones and how they accomodate tooth erruption which absolutely are inherited trait (my undergraduate degree was in biochemistry).

Best of luck to you. Please check out my website at the url below when you have a chance.

Sincerely,

Roger L. Welton, DVM
Veterinarian, Webmaster http://www.askdvm.com

[Top Dog]

Thank you for your reply,
I am pretty computer stupid but I will send you some pictures on your email and I guarrantee you that you have never seen anything like this before. But I would like to get some opinions on this because this is really strange?? I am a Certified Dog trainer and behaviourst and I have tackled the hardest of the hardest and the only reason I have failed is because of owner complience. I am not a vet but this will be a challange in your field?
I hope you can offer some advise.
Linda.