Member

Posts: 19
From:union City, ca
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 02-07-2004 02:24 PM         

---

Today we brought our four year old in for a teeth cleaning because of the Vet's recommendation. Last office visit, he told us that the gum line was inflamed and it would be a good idea for us to start brushing his teeth and for him to receive a professional cleaning.
A couple of minutes ago, the Vet called saying that she highly recommends that several teeth be removed because our cat was sensitive around those teeth even when he was under anesthesia. She said that it seems like the teeth are being eaten away at under the gum line. She said he will likely have to get more teeth taken out later.
Our cat has not seemed to be in any pain while at home. He eats regularly, and often.
I am really concerned. Could this be indicative of some other problem?
Can anyone offer any insight?
Thanks.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 75
From:Sydney,NSW,Australia
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-07-2004 10:00 PM         

---

i have had many cats have dentals and have performed some myself at work ( i am a nurse).
Sometimes the only time you notice a major problem with the cats teeth is when they are under anaesthetic, this is because you can really have a good look and feel around in there without getting your hand bitten off. No conscious cat will lay there and say " aaah " when looking at their teeth, let alone cleaning them or extracting.
When you get in there and see pockets of pus, loose rattling teeth, exposed roots or cracked teeth, they are better out than in.
Your cat may have favoured to eat on only one side of his mouth, the least painful, so you would not really notice this at home.
I also suggest that the 'dodgy' looking teeth come out, it is too hard to 'save' cats teeth unless you are a commited owner armed with a kitty toothbrush and welding gloves every night.
It would be a shame to have your kitty back in hospital and under anaesthetic again in a couple of years time, finally removing the teeth that were 'dodgy' in the first instance.

I have known a cat that has no teeth left in its mouth at all, yet is still managed to catch mice, gum them to death and mush them up and eat them !

Your cat will be able to eat regular meals after a period of healing.
Dry cat food is often eaten/swallowed whole (you may notice this when they vomit occasionally, undigested whole dry food)
If your cat has teeth removed, feed chunky raw meat, beef or chicken, NOT CANNED FOOD, as this sloppy food will sit in the pockets or holes where the teeth were, rot and cause painful infection. The raw meat will not do this and the cat will swallow most it whole anyway.
when your cats mouth is all healed (generally 5-7 days) you can return him to his regular diet.
rest assured your vet is doing the best by the cat.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 02-07-2004 10:49 PM         

---

My vet told me there is a condition where cats are allergic to their own plaque- I can't remember what it is called though. I would suggest using some oxyfresh in his water in lieu of or in addition to brushing his teeth. Oxyfresh will help keep the plaque from building up. www.oxyfresh.com

You cat might just have gingivitis like one of mine does, but the oxyfresh will still help.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 32
From:miami beach, fl usa
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-07-2004 11:21 PM         

---

fleafly: does the Oxyfrsh leave bleache dout spots on your belonging whe it drips or get splshed.....ya know like if the kittys have it on their chin and it drips on your carpet or sofa say?

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 32
From:miami beach, fl usa
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-07-2004 11:22 PM         

---

whoa......should've proofread that one before I sent it .......sorry

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 701
From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 02-07-2004 11:43 PM         

---

Hello. Did the vet take any x-rays of your cat's teeth? Did she offer any alternatives to extracting the teeth? Some vets (although very few) have an additional dental license to do fillings, crowns, root canals and so on in cats/dogs and other animals to try and save as many teeth as possible. However, not all teeth are salvagable. In which case extractions of the teeth are needed.

Did the vet say your kitty had periodontal disease or was it just gingivitis?

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 02-08-2004 10:48 PM         

---

I haven't had any problems with oxyfresh staining anything. It is really diluted down in their drinking water though. I have gotten it on my hand a few times when I was filling their water and nothing happened.

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)