cat needs it's teeth cleaned

[mailfuckoff]

My furry purry went to the vet yesterday for her jabs and mot. They said she has gingivitis and needs an anaesthetic to have her teeth cleaned. She is 10 and we wondered if this is normal as it seems quite over the top just the clean her teeth. She's on a wet and dry food diet and has put on a bit of weight since last year, but isn't overweight. I'm more worried about her having an unnecessary anaesthetic then anything else.

[Umblubblub]

I think it's quite normal when they reach a certain age. My 7 year old cat had his teeth cleaned under GA earlier this year. The vet also removed a tooth that had gone bad, which we were unaware of. Since having it done, his appetite is better, and his breath is certainly more fragrant! He was only there for the day, went in early and I picked him up at the end of the day. He was fine. My 8 year old girl cat will need hers doing shortly too, and I have no concerns about her having it done.
Having your cat's teeth cleaned my avoid them having teeth removed in the future, but of course, it's up to you.

[Lillagroda]

It's pretty standard. I have one with chronic gingivitis (calici carrier) who goes in for a clean when she needs it, about every 2-3 years, the other one only needs it maybe once in 5 years, but it is normal maintenance for them if they need it. Although of course if there is no pain or obvious damage you can make a call as to when they need it, especially as they get older and a general becomes riskier.

There's always the option of brushing their teeth regularly instead, in my experience vets struggle not to laugh as they suggest this though.

[mailfuckoff]

I did suggest to my dh that we could just brush her teeth but it probably needs a deeper clean then that :-)

[AprilLudgateDwyer]

My cat has had this done regularly since she was a kitten. She has always had terrible teeth. Poor thing only has about 3 left now! They have always suggested doing under anaesthetic to us as it's much easier to get it done properly and if any teeth need removing they can do it there and then.

[Sparklingbrook]

Sparklingcat has this done regularly. It's fairly routine but expensive and not covered by insurance.

Take her to the vets early then collect her late afternoon. Her teeth/ breath are lovely for a while but she does seem prone.

[RubbishMantra]

MCat had to go in for one of these recently - the vet removes tartar, and checks the mouth for possible resorption of teeth that may be causing problems and check teeth that could be cracked, but masked by the tartar. I think it cost about £100. He's 6. he didn't need any extractions, though

I give now my cats Logic toothpaste as a preventative measure. Little M loves the taste, and will lick it from my finger, but I have to smear it around MCat's gums. They do supply a finger cot rubber toothbrush, but I've never had any luck with it. The enzymes in the toothpaste are meant to do most of the work, anyway.

[mailfuckoff]

Thanks everyone
We've been quite 150 plus for the work which is a lot more than a human dentist costs! I guess of we have got to 10 before needing it done she's done ok

[Wolfiefan]

If she has gingivitis it needs doing. The cost will factor in the anaesthetic.

[cozietoesie]

Seniorboy cost more but then he was older when he had to have his dental and had to have extensive fluid support. He also needed extractions.

Good luck to her.

[TheoriginalLEM]

be wary that if teeth need to come out that quote could very easily double. Also if you opt for pre op bloods (id recommend for a ten yr old) add more and then if the results indicate kidneys need support with fluid therapy during the op - you will very quickly looking at £400 bill.

It really does depend greatly on how bad your cats teeth are. Its a balance.

[cozietoesie]

Having said which, bad teeth can be quite dangerous for a cat - as well as having to deal with the toothache. I had no choice because Seniorboy's mouth was so vile that he was starting to be ill. No NHS for cats, sadly.

[hollinhurst84]

I'm cautious with teeth after Ollie's saga. He was reeking with infection, sneezing and probably with constant sinusitis type pain

[cozietoesie]

Well he was .....unusual. (Tooth up his nose wasn't it?)

I took The Lodger in to Seniorboy's vet and, unexpectedly - he was a young and bouncy cat - he had very very bad tartar. Possibly from his time on the streets. (He's a ferocious and very skilled hunter but he was also given to bin-diving and thieving and we had a nearby Chinese takeaway. All those sticky-sauced ribs etc. ) He needed a full dental anyway.

The vet also found a couple of teeth that had a malformation so had to come out to prevent future trouble. I like to think he's well set now.

[hollinhurst84]

Yes, broken off and embedded to form a hole between his nose and mouth