Dental Fitsula in Dog? About how much to have the infected tooth removed?

Question

My dog has a Dental Fitsula on one of his teeth and it causes a big sore on his face and it popped and i took him to the vet and he gave him a shot and everything and hes been taking his medication. But it still is a bump and the wound wont close up. Is there like puss in it? he always messes with it so he has to wear the cone all the time. Hes getting really bad breath too. The Vet said we may have to have the tooth removed. So in following i have two questions. Is there anything i can do more about his bump? and how much is it to have a dogs tooth removed (i forgot to ask the vet)?

Answer 1

You need to call your vet back and ask them.  Phone calls are free and you will have an accurate estimate (in fact, you can ask them to print and mail you an estimate for the entire procedure so that you have a more or less exact figure rather than just a ball park figure) rather than a vague guess that may or may not even be close.  At the vet where I work, tooth extractions cost between $10-30 depending on how the vet has to do it (a simple yank or a surgical removal that requires sutures) plus the cost of pre-op bloodwork, x-rays, anesthesia, and a dental cleaning (if the dog is out for dental work anyway might as well get them cleaned and check all the other teeth to make sure they are ok).  However, me knowing how much that procedure would cost at my vet really doesn't do you any good because veterinary costs vary so dramatically from region to region (and even between vets in the same area).  A vet two hours north of me would charge probably twice as much for the exact same services because there is a higher cost of living and their operating costs are higher.  A vet two hours south of me might only charge half as much because their local cost of living is lower and their operating costs are significantly lower.

Answer 2

You can probably remove the tooth yourself if you have pliers and can go to the library to get a "how to" book.

Answer 3

I would set aside at least $200 (just for the tooth procedure). Most dental procedures require the dog to be knocked out. So you will have to add in bloodwork also. Plus if there is an infection you have to add in the take home meds. If your dog does have an infection, some vets may make you wait until it is cleared up ( just like our doctors).

***Remember to tell the vet that the infected tooth is the ONLY one you want pulled. Alot of times once they pull the tooth in question they find other teeth they think need to come out and pull them without telling you (but adding it to the bill). Baby teeth do not need to be pulled. They will fall out on thier own. Read ALL pre-op paper work thouroghly because you should have a page to sign giving them consent to do this added procedure.

Also, when you do get the tooth pulled remember to buy a few cans of dog food. Your pup will have a sore gum for a few days and hard food will hurt.

Answer 4

I would just go ahead and have the tooth removed. Cost will vary a lot depending on where you live so I would just call the vet and ask. Whatever the cost the tooth needs to come out. Your dog has to be suffering terribly.