Photobucket Photobucket Therapy dogs spread happiness, love, and cheer to people who otherwise might be lonely, sad or slow to heal. This is the journey of Cayman, a longhair miniature dachshund and his journey and experiences visiting becoming a therapy dog.

Did you know that pet visits often spark good memories of a person's own pets? Dogs often can reach people and children who have withdrawn from the world. It's been suggested by science that petting a dog can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and stress, and promote healing.

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Friday, October 10, 2008

Two Sets of Fangs on Cayman!



Cayman looks as though he needs to see a dentist. The little guy has two sets of canines! The decidous or baby teeth, remain only for three to seven months of age. By 5 months of age, a puppy should have all his adult incisors. The adult canines, premolars and molars come in between 4 and 7 months of age, thus by 7 to 8 months of age, a puppy should have all their adult teeth. Cayman has what is referred to as "retained baby teeth". Normally the roots of the puppy teeth are reabsorbed as the adult teeth take their place. When this fails to happen, you can get what appears as a double set of teeth. Toy breeds tend to retain baby teeth more commonly. When a dog retains the decidous teeth, the erupting adult teeth are then pushed out of line,producing a malocclusion or bad bite which can lead to gum injury, inferences with the ability to grasp, hold and chew food, and even dental decay as well as being a conformation default in the breed standard.
From members of the Dachshund Haven Forums, I have been suggested to have these retained teeth removed as soon as possible to avoid any of these issues. I think I will give Cayman to age 7 months to see if they will be shed on their own before putting him under to have them removed by the vet. In the meantime, I will keep an eye on them to make sure they stay clean.

3 comments:

Neabear said...

I keep learning something new about dogs on here from you. I did not know anything about dog teeth. Goes to show, never too old to learn!

Ruby and Penny said...

Hi Cayman

I'm Ruby, also a mini doxie. I had the same problem. The vet pulled my extra Fangs when I was spayed at 6 months.
Come visit some time.

Love Ruby

Ruby and Penny said...

Hi Cayman
I linked you to by blog. If you want to become a member of DWB go to www.dogswithblogs.com.au/submitblogg.htm & sign up.

Love Ruby