Flat Canine Teeth and Malabsorption

[Snowdog]

Hello everyone I don't have a GSD, but have had the pleasure of the company of BSD (Belgian Shepherd Dog) for the last 20 years and desperately need your help. All three of our Belgian Tervurens have flat teeth, some of their canine teeth are worn flat and with two of our Tervs they are almost even with rest of their teeth. I did a search on the internet and only site came up with flat teeth was this site. There are not too many BSD sites, so that's why I'm here to get any information I can on the problem. I searched this site about this and I understand the malabsorption can cause this problem. However, I don't fully understand why. Is it something to do with the calcium not being absorbed? I need this info to explain to my vet since she seem to thing it was normal wear, with the younger dogs (two of them at of age 4 yrs) and still sort of chewing I sort of can see that. However now are our 8 year old which had beautiful canines last month and now they are half way gone so I don't think that's just wear. He older and rarely chews on anything. So any info would be helpful. BTW, they are all on Purina One, if that makes a difference.

Thanks,

Snowdog

[jocoyn]

Does he play fetch with tennis balls? Or balls which can gather abrasive dirt?

[qbchottu]

Where are they kept when you are away? They could be chewing on metal or wire in their crates or kennels maybe?

[Snowdog]

Originally Posted by jocoyn

Does he play fetch with tennis balls? Or balls which can gather abrasive dirt?

Not for Thunder the 8 year old Terv, he doesn't do the fetch thing. The young ones yes, but not Thunder.

[jocoyn]

Ok that is the most common reason many of our dogs have way worn down teeth. I don't have a clue on malabsorbtion

[Snowdog]

Originally Posted by qbchottu

Where are they kept when you are away? They could be chewing on metal or wire in their crates or kennels maybe?

The younger ones maybe, but not Thunder the 8 year old. No crate for him when we're gone, he's a good boy and doesn't chew on anything, so he has the whole house to roam (well most of it anyways). Thunder's canines were ok a month ago, now they're half worn down with the pulp showing. No sign of him chewing on anything.

[BlackPuppy]

Originally Posted by Snowdog

Thunder's canines were ok a month ago, now they're half worn down with the pulp showing. No sign of him chewing on anything.

I would take him to a board certified canine dentist as soon as you can. First of all, that HAS to hurt!

Second, my first dog had cracked and chipped canines when I got him. Eventually, one of the canines broke and I took him to see a dentist. He had a root canal and the dentist said he had an advanced infection in his jaw from the old damage.

The root canal was slightly more expensive than having it pulled. And since it was a canine tooth, I didn't want to risk any destabilization of the jaw or other infection due to pulling that humongous root!

[Snowdog]

Black Puppy, Yes I took him to the vet and she said it probably wasn't malabsorbition. She said he looked to healthy, she said dogs with malaborbition look like they have been starved and he is not starved that's for sure. ROFL! He could lose a few, well several pounds. Anyways, she gave me a couple phone numbers of board certified canine dentists. I just have to find time to get him there, both are about 1 1/2 hrs away from me. Maybe this weekend.

Thanks,

Snowdog

[LisaT]

Originally Posted by Snowdog

.... She said he looked to healthy, she said dogs with malaborbition look like they have been starved and he is not starved that's for sure. ROFL! ....

Just for the benefit of others, as it seems your dog doesn't have a problem with weight gain ..... dogs with chronic malabsorption will look as your vet described. We hope, on forums such as this, to catch the signs before that happens, and get the dog into testing. So, for dogs with other signs of malabsorption, I hope that they will still test, even if their dog doesn't look exactly starved.

Good luck at the dentist