TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. —
Transportation Safety Administration Explosive Detection Canine Spike doesn’t have a imply bone in his physique, however he did have a imply tooth.
Dentists from the 72nd Dental Squadron, together with veterinarians from the Tinker Veterinary Clinic carried out a root canal on the seven-year-old black Labrador retriever’s decrease molar throughout a process on the Tinker Veterinary Clinic March 9.
“We got here in about 4 weeks in the past for Spike’s semi-annual checkup the place we do dental cleanings, and that’s once we seen one thing was sort of off,” stated Dennis Owens, a transportation safety specialist/explosive detection canine handler with the TSA. “Dr. Cameron [Spike’s Vet] had achieved X-Rays and will see a pocket in his tooth.”
Owens added that earlier than he had adopted Spike, he reviewed the canine’s medical information and famous that two spots had been faraway from the identical space beforehand, most certainly from chewing sticks earlier in life.
Previous to anesthesia, Spike carried his beloved stuffed pelican in his mouth across the clinic, rapidly turning into a crowd favourite.
Owens and Spike are primarily based out of the Dallas Fort Value Worldwide Airport, screening autos, plane and cargo for explosives. Spike’s laid-back character additionally permits him to work passenger screening, following transferring scent trails.
This capability to maintain crowds secure takes Spike to excessive visibility nationwide safety particular occasions, such because the Tremendous Bowl, Kentucky Derby and Indianapolis 500. Spike even has a collectible buying and selling card along with his likeness.
Owens was beforehand assigned to Oklahoma Metropolis and introduced his earlier working canine to the Tinker Veterinary Clinic for care. His belief in Dr. Heather Cameron led to Owens bringing Spike up from Dallas for routine care.
Maj. Ryan Gustafson, 72nd Dental Squadron dental laboratory ingredient chief in addition to different dentists carried out the foundation canal whereas Cameron served because the anesthesiologist, making certain Spike’s vitals had been maintained.
“That is quantity three for me, primary for our crew,” stated Gustafson. “It’s one thing that we contact on briefly in our residencies. These canines are our sufferers too.”
Gustafson added that root canals on molar tooth are extraordinarily uncommon in veterinary dentistry. Relying on the scenario, the affected tooth is normally eliminated, nonetheless, elimination of huge molars akin to this one have an elevated threat of jaw fracture, so a root canal was the safer possibility.
“It is a enjoyable alternative,” Gustafson stated. “It will get everybody considering, ‘if we couldn’t do dentistry in our clinic and needed to exit into the sector, what would that appear like, what stuff would we convey.’”
Spike’s root canal was successful because of the care of the 72nd DS and the Tinker Veterinary Clinic. Spike and Owens will quickly be a standard sight on the Oklahoma Metropolis Airport as they’re slated to switch right here later within the spring.
The Tinker Air Power Base Veterinarian Clinic is a full-service clinic that cares for all government-owned animals in addition to pets of navy households. For extra info, go to https://tinker.tricare.mil/Well being-Companies/Different/Veterinary
