[Dailydrool] Dental on a senior?

[Georgia Powers]

Hi— I already posted this question on the Facebook Drool but feel closer to this original group. Eugene is 13 years old, in very good shape and just had his senior bloodwork done which his vet characterized as “perfect.” He has had dentals about every two years his whole life —his last was two years ago when he was 11. At that time I felt it would be his last. He seemed to me to have a harder time returning to normal after it but was his old self in a few days. I’ve tried to keep up with brushing but alas his teeth are pretty bad again. Our vet thinks it would not be unduly dangerous for him to have a dental but for some reason I am feeling very uncomfortable with the idea. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him as a result of a basically elective procedure. The responses on Facebook were pretty split between those who felt the risks from bad teeth outweighed the risks of anesthesia and those who would’t risk it on a dog his age. . There was a particularly tragic story of a healthy 14 year dying after the procedure which obviously is my worst case scenario. I’d appreciate any thoughts folk here would like to share. Thanks so much—Have been on the drool since we got Eugene almost 13 years ago and have always respected the knowledge of the members. Georgia and Eugene