My dog isn't chewing. Is it safe to sedate him twice in a month?

Oral sedatives are generally not safe for pets with heart conditions. However, there are heart friendly pre-anesthetic injectable drugs that the vet can give such as Midazolam and Butorphanol. Also keep in mind that most pets with a heart condition that are also symptomatic (coughing, exercise intolerance) should be evaluated by a cardiologist and cleared for surgical procedures like dentals to ensure they are good candidates and can handle the anesthesia. The main concern here is the anesthesia and not the sedative used beforehand. On the other hand, if she is not symptomatic (no coughing, exercise intolerance), and she currently is not on heart medications, then she is likely a good surgical candidate b/c her risk of having complications with anesthesia are generally low. I hope that this helps guide you towards the proper care for Chhutki and this dental procedure. Best wishes and take care. : )

It could be a dislocated or fractured jaw. There could be a dental issue with one or more of the teeth. It could be a nerve disorder causing a problem with swallowing/chewing. I cannot give you any more information than that. Your vet will need to do some testing to figure out what is wrong. This is not something that can be diagnosed over the internet. Best wishes.

It's highly likely to be a teeth problem, either something stuck in his gums causing an inflammation or a bad tooth that needs to be removed, you will need to take him to the vet ASAP (it can wait for tomorrow) in order to get it checked and treated, bring him to the vet fasting (8 hours) in case they need to sedate him to the check the oral cavity or do a dental procedure.

Yes, there are certainly risks associated with sedating Rex. While age isn't a disease in and of itself, you mentioned that Rex has previously been diagnosed with metastatic (spread of cancer) melanoma. Existing disease processes raise the risk of sedation, which can include heart and blood pressure issues, or difficulty breaking down the drugs in the liver and/or kidneys. That said, I'd recommend having a conversation with Rex's vet regarding their previous exam findings, as well as the severity of his current skin infection. You'll need to weigh the risks and benefits of sedation vs. leaving this skin infection untreated. Your vet may recommend trying some different oral sedatives or anti-anxiety medications, which are often a bit safer than some injectable sedatives. Your vet may also be able to offer a telemedicine visit to check out Rex's skin. I hope that everything goes well!

If Sid does have a tooth root abscess, he will likely need to have the tooth extracted. This will require anesthesia. At the same time, the rest of the teeth can be evaluated and xrayed and then cleaned to prevent or slow the progression of periodontal disease. Antibiotics alone may not be sufficient to resolve the condition. Even though he is a senior pet, a complete physical exam along with blood work will allow your veterinarian to tailor the anesthetic protocol for maximum safety. Medicating Sid without the advice of your veterinarian would not be recommended. Inappropriate antibiotic use may lead to resistant bacteria and may complicate any underlying condition.

It is difficult to know without examining him. He could have a problem with his teeth or maybe he is nauseous from an upset stomach. The best thing would be to have him examined by a vet to determine if he has a problem and then treat. If he is experiencing pain, your vet can prescribe an anti-inflammatory to help relieve any pain and inflammation. If he is having stomach/abdominal issues then he may need an anti-nausea medication and a gastrointestinal protectant.

I'm sorry to hear that Zorro has had some jaw chattering lately. As you'd mentioned, oral pain is one of the most common causes of jaw chattering. Oral pain can arise from dental disease, jaw pain, and injuries. I do see a fair amount of tartar and gingivitis in the pictures you'd attached, but the tricky part is that for most dogs, the worst part of the dental disease is often below the surface of the gums. Since Zorro recently fell off the couch, it's also possible that he injured his jaw or another body part in the process, resulting in jaw chattering from pain. Regardless, the best thing is for you to take Zorro to his vet for a full physical exam. Since he tends to bite from anxiety, I'd recommend calling your vet to discuss the exam process first because they'll certainly need to look in his mouth for a thorough assessment. Your vet will likely prescribe oral sedative to be given before the exam or may recommend injectable sedation at the time of his appointment. I hope that everything goes well!