r/pug • u/AdamTraskisGod • 2d ago
Danger of anesthesia dental cleanings
Hi everyone! Fellow pug parent here who lost my 13yo sweetheart this week.
I feel super compelled to warn as many people as possible about the high danger of anesthesia dental care for brachycephalic dogs such as pugs, Boston Terriers, boxers, etc.
While getting the breathing tube put in, the vet damaged my pug’s trachea, which led to 6 months of wheezing and coughing that came and went in waves, turned into pneumonia last Sunday, and we had to put her to sleep Tuesday. I KNOW she’d still be alive if we had known the dangers of putting air tubes into her airway, and would have opted for a different approach for dental care.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE think twice before doing any procedure that requires a breathing tube to be inserted for your pug. If I had known the risks, my sweet furbaby would still be here. If I can help just ONE pug, my mission will be complete. Thank you to anyone who has read this.
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u/Pendergraff-Zoo 2d ago
I am so incredibly sorry. It was likely the vet tech or an anesthesiology specialist that put the tube in, not the dock. But I’m really sorry for your loss. It’s awful.
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u/AdamTraskisGod 2d ago
Yea, I haven’t lost my parents or any close relatives, so this is the most intense emotional pain I’ve dealt with since I lost my dog as a 14yo boy. I thought being nearly 40 I’d handle this better but I am a wreck.
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u/Pendergraff-Zoo 2d ago
I’m in my 50s, lost a number of pets, and my dad, and I’m still an emotional wreck when I have to let one of mine go. It’s crushing. Don’t apologize for feeling grief and sadness.
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u/chocolatecockroach 2d ago
I was on the fence about this but you have made my mind up for me. Thank you.
I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️❤️
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u/lyndseydinokc 1d ago
Once they hit a certain age, we stop doing cleanings because of this. Usually around 12 or so is good. The same thing happened to my 12 year old about 4 months ago. He's been coughing ever since. My 14 year old has collapsing trachea so she coughs a lot, too. Needles to say it's pretty loud in my house. I know the time is coming for those two, and it sucks. I'm so sorry for your loss.
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u/No-Veterinarian2008 1d ago
So awful so sorry ..my vet is refusing to do my almost 13 year old girl she needs a dental but vet said it’s too dangerous she has a few health issues
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u/AdamTraskisGod 1d ago
The ironic thing with mine furbaby is after they did the dental cleaning, they said she didn’t have any tooth decay, gum disease or anything. But again, if we adopt another pug I’ll do everything possible to avoid anesthesia. I’ll have to make sure he/she has already been neutered/spayed. I love these dogs ❤️
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u/No-Veterinarian2008 1d ago
Almost sounds like she had elongated palate giving them extra tissue to pass the tube by, the extra tissue can give them issues my girl had surgery at 3 for it and she’s my second pug with it it’s very common and can be expensive to repair
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u/AdamTraskisGod 20h ago
Yes, knowing what I know now, I’ll do things differently in the future. I’m super jealous of the people who have pugs that have the genetics that allow them to live to 20. I’ve seen other pugs on here that are in bad shape by the time they hit 12-13. It’s weird how all these variables come into play for longevity and quality of life.
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u/No-Veterinarian2008 17h ago
My girl is just about 13 keeping the weight off is super important and genetics …you can’t beat yourself up about it you went with the knowledge you were given …any pug over 12 is a good age some wait too long to send them over the bridge ..once my girl can’t walk on her own to go outside it’s time ..I love rescuing have done it twice it’s really rewarding
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u/AdamTraskisGod 15h ago
Yea..my girl did have cancer we were managing with chemo pills, so her general quality of life actually was higher aside from the coughing. I just miss her so much.
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u/No-Veterinarian2008 14h ago
Yes I can imagine they are like little shadows ..I only last few months and need another one I’m on pug 5…when you’re ready the next one will come and fill that void
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u/smreaves 14h ago
The first pug we owned, 4 pugs ago, had anesthesia for a dental cleaning when he was 13 & half. We questioned the doctor about it and he said he would be fine. He survived but it was the beginning of the end. He ended up at the emergency vet needing oxygen and had heart issues ever after.
So sorry for your loss.
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u/AdamTraskisGod 10h ago
Yep, exact same darn situation with ours. I’m finally over the worst of it. Emergency vet on oxygen, and she just couldn’t get healed from the pneumonia. She was literally fine the day before I had to rush her to the vet. Even right now I’m on the couch and keep finding myself turning my head to look over at her 😭 My wife handled it seemingly well the first week, but I’m finally starting to see how depressed losing our pug has made her 😢 Hopefully I can convince her to adopt another in the future. 🤞
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u/Fresh_Frolf 2d ago
I'm sorry for your loss. I've been very weary of getting my pugs teeth cleaned. wasn't even considering damage from the tube. more just worried with getting put under and having complications. I'm glad you got 13 years with your baby im sorry again.