Thinking of another rescue - need advice

No advice except to say listen to Dr. Doug. God bless you for rescuing another in need.

I pinned the lower jaw in several animals over the years. While the aim is to leave the pin in permanently, that seldom happens. Usually with time the pin works it way out. The major issue is bone healing. Because of the diseased teeth there is usually severe infection, often in the bone too. That is a poor environment for bone healing. The pin really isn't an issue, it's the bone healing that is supposed to happen.

That being said, once the diseased teeth are removed and the infection treated, most heal with time.

No teeth doesn't worry me because we have had other rescues like this. Just had one of our rescues have 12 teeth pulled last Friday. It is the pin in jaw that worries me. Apparently she was a backyard breeder dog only, no vet checks. The matted hair around her mouth was holding a lot of teeth in. She had trench mouth, never heard of this. Her jaw was broken so that is the reason for the pin.

The rescuer says her vet said the pin will last forever. Just need advice about the pin. Thanks for the replies.

Our senior pug has had to have most of her teeth removed. We give her soft dog food mixed with chopped can dog food. We also have found soft treats she likes in small pieces. She is doing good otherwise.

Not having teeth isn't a problem. Why is there a pin in the jaw? Six is pretty young to have lost all the teeth due to dental disease, but if this dog was malnourished for a long time and during tooth development, could be the reason. Many dogs will continue to gum hard food, so you may not even have to have special diets.

Sounds like this poor puppy needs a good home.

Doug, DVM

I am currently fostering a 9 to 11 year old who is missing most of his teeth- just a few in the very back remain. I soften his hard kibble with chicken broth (water works equally well). Other than that, he gets no special treatment, and eats the occasional Milk Bone dog biscuit without any problem.