Pet Forum / Miscellaneous / Animal Health / September 2005

My 7-year-old female Labrador Retriever has for the last couple months
developed an odd habit  -  when she's walking, she likes to rub her
snout through the grass on the sides.  She also rubs her snout a few
times with her paw once or twice a day.  I've looked this up on the
web, and this behavior seems to be connected with tooth trouble.  I've
looked at her teeth (front and back), and they seemed to be okay,
though a couple are slightly yellowed.  She also doesn't have the other
accompanying signs of trouble  -  she has no problems eating, she
doesn't whimper in pain, and she doesn't *seem* to drool.  (I notice a
couple slightly wet spots when she's lain her head down on the
bedsheets for a bit, but it doesn't seem enough for outright drooling,
vs. putting the wet side of one's lip on the sheets.)

I know, though, what it's like to have a toothache, and I don't want my
dog to suffer.  The problem is that my mom, sort of the Lab's co-owner
(co-person?) is very apprehensive about taking her to the vet.   We've
just moved to a new area, and while we have a recommendation, it's
still uncharted medical territory.  Also, since Sioux (our dog) can be
rather jumpy, any oral exams would probably have to be done with her
sedated.  This Mom doesn't like, as a) we had to put Sioux's mate to
sleep a little while ago, whom my Mom really loved, so the image of
Labs and needles doesn't mix for her, and b) she did lose a previous
pet due to a botched operation.  Mom's, in effect, afraid that the
sedative will harm Sioux, either killing off brain cells or killing
her, period.

Like I said, I don't want my dog to suffer, and her health comes above
Mom's apprehensions.  I would too, though, like to avoid putting Sioux
under if at all possible.  My question, then: is her behavior indeed
indicative of tooth trouble?  Is there anything else I can check before
bringing her to the vet?