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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Reassure me if you can - wibble

21 replies

limitedperiodonly · 18/05/2015 18:54

I'm quite happy for you to tell me I'm being selfish, silly or cruel.

My adopted cat is 12. I took him for a check up, vaccinations and blood tests and he was found to be in very good health apart from his teeth. His heart is very strong and his kidneys are better than average for a cat of his age.

But the lower teeth on his right back jaw are pretty crap. Lots of tartar.

The vet recommended dentistry under general anaesthetic. Scaling definitely but I think she'll also have to extract some teeth. It will take about 90 minutes at the most.

I've procrastinated because I'm scared of the GA for him and his breath was fine and his appetite is good.

But he shakes his head, which the vet said could be a sign of pain. I don't want to risk him but neither do I want him to be in pain or to develop a gum infection that might become more serious for his heart or something.

I've booked him in for 27 May. I know nobody can give me any guarantees but I'd be so grateful for any good stories or advice good or bad.

He's currently snoozing obliviously. Happy little soul .

Also, I'm sure the vet will tell me about after care. But what would anyone else recommend? I want to have it ready for him.

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cozietoesie · 18/05/2015 19:11

Seniorboy had a mouth so awful that the vet nurse reeled when the vet invited her to look. (This was on his first appointment with his new vet - previous vets had noted his bad mouth but demurred on operating due to their facilities.) The new vet expressed fair confidence that she could get him through it - he was over 16 at the time - and she did. (Athough I think she had an extra team member on hand to ensure he was properly supported with fluid therapy and to keep an eye on him at all times.)

He was fine. They kept him in until - maybe - about 17.30 that evening but I'm not entirely sure whether that was to really allow him to recover or to allow She Who Must Be Obeyed the Chief Vet Nurse to coo over him. (She's his biggest fan.)

It's the right thing for your lad. There's a small risk with a GA for any cat but his teeth won't improve any and I'm sure that vets do dental procedures on many animals less fit and older than him. You're doing what he needs.

limitedperiodonly · 18/05/2015 19:51

I'm glad you've replied cozietoesie. We talked a while back. Don't know whether you remember.

The receptionist told me what to do as regards a food curfew - 10pm cut-off for 8.30am drop off. She said he could have unlimited water. She added that because he was a senior they'd be very hot on giving him fluids - so like you said.

I'm sure this is the right thing to do but my poor little creature will be in such pain when he wakes up.

I bet he won't hate me. He's really forgiving. Amazingly forgiving for a cat. I just want him to wake up. That's why I'm wibbling.

What should I feed him afterwards? The vet hasn't said.

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thecatneuterer · 18/05/2015 20:18

Within a few days he'll be so much happier. There isn't much worse than toothache and shaking his head when he eats does indicate pain.

They'll give him a 24 hour painkilling injection when he's under, and then you'll have to put Loxicom/Metacam in his food for around 3 days afterwards. Any soft food should be good. Does he like Gourmet Gold Pate? That's a good one for just after a dental (and for giving pills with).

cozietoesie · 18/05/2015 20:22

I've had both Seniorboy and The Lodger in for GA dentals in recent years. Both had extractions and neither appeared to be in much pain when they got home. I know cats mask pain well - but even so. And remember that your lad might have toothache at the moment or have had it recently. (The head- shaking.) If his teeth are lousy, I suspect it will be a relief more than anything.

On feeding afterwards? The practice will advise you but I'll confess that I just offered them both their normal wet food and they both tucked into that as soon as they were over the GA. Other posters may have different views.

eleventybillion · 18/05/2015 20:51

It's such a tough decision.

eleventyCat had to have a dental when she was 13. This after a near death experience after complications following lengthy surgery to put her spleen back in her abdomen (don't ask). It took her over a day to come round from that anaesthetic and I think the vets had pretty much given up hope.

The dental OTOH was a breeze.

The way I got my head round it was to weigh up the risks of leaving her pretty grotty teeth (not good) with the risk of her getting older (very high hopefully) and even less able to cope with the GA. In the end I realised having the dental was the best option. Plus my vet was awesome and I totally trusted his judgement.

I cried a lot before, during and after. In the end it was completely ok but you have to weigh up this risks for you and for limitedcat. One thing that would swing it for me is the pain. Cats are brilliant at hiding pain and if you think it might be a bit painful, chances are it's really very painful.

Good luck limited you're doing the right thing! And cats really don't hold grudges (unless you withhold the Dreamies)!

eleventybillion · 18/05/2015 20:54

Oh forgot to mention the feeding. Cozie is spot on with normal food. Your cat on the other hand will probably try and hold out for boiled chicken or some cat crack cocaine tuna.

limitedperiodonly · 18/05/2015 21:04

Thanks to both of you.

He normally eats Felix. I try to steer him on Senior but he loves Meaty Loaf.

He also loves Thrive and Gold and also tinned tuna and crab

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limitedperiodonly · 18/05/2015 21:29

Thanks so much to everyone who's replied. You are so very kind and helpful.

He's just so lovely. I can hardly believe it because when I got him I really didn't like him. I wouldn't have hurt him but I didn't think I'd love him.

Tolerance was about it

I'll give you an update on the evening of the 27th.

Fingers crossed. Thanks again.

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limitedperiodonly · 25/05/2015 22:23

He's going in tomorrow at 8.30am.

Just had a food curfew but he can have water.

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limitedperiodonly · 25/05/2015 22:26

No hang on, I've got my dates wrong.

It's Weds morning. Stupid me.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 26/05/2015 07:49

Did you put his food away last night as well?

limitedperiodonly · 26/05/2015 10:30

Yes, but I gave him some more. The countdown to curfew starts again

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basildonbond · 26/05/2015 17:30

My 14 year old cat had a GA for a dental a few weeks ago - she was absolutely fine. A little sleepy the evening she got home but right as rain the next day. And she was absolutely delighted she could have wet food for every meal for a week

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 26/05/2015 18:34

My aunt's 18 year old cat had a GA for a dental last month and was absolutely fine. He didn't have to have any teeth out in the end, just a good clean, but the vet was amazed at how strong he is.

I'm sure your little one will be fine

eleventybillion · 26/05/2015 20:22

Good luck tomorrow limited. And good luck with the food curfew

limitedperiodonly · 26/05/2015 23:29

Thanks. We're all going to bed now. Vet at 8.30am.

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limitedperiodonly · 27/05/2015 14:40

He's all right. Is virtually toothless at the back but still has his impressive fangs. Going to get him at 4.30pm.

Thanks everyone for the advice and hand-holding.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 27/05/2015 14:49

Oh good, have you got lots of treats for when he's healed?.

limitedperiodonly · 27/05/2015 15:01

I bought some food called Thrive. Chicken and turkey. He's had it before but not too often because it's expensive. He loved it so much he fished the tin out of the bin to lick out the scraps.

I'll get that Gold pate because he has to take antibiotics and I might be able to make a pellet with it.

I held off for a while because I was scared but then I realised it was cruel. Like eleventy said, I realised if he got an infection it might have serious implications for his heart.

And , yes cosie the vet said exactly that this morning - his teeth weren't going to get better and he wasn't going to get any younger.

Thanks again everyone. Can't wait to get him now.

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cozietoesie · 27/05/2015 15:11

I'm glad he's fine.

Like him, Seniorboy kept his front fangs but I think he has only one back tooth now and it doesn't seem to have made any difference to him - except that he'd started being sick a lot and that stopped when he had his dental. He occasionally gets some very mild gingivitis but that's pretty well par for the course with cats and in Seniorboy's case is usually covered by the ABs he gets for his nose. (His immune system is all to pot these days.)

Good luck to the lad.

eleventybillion · 27/05/2015 21:44

Well done! for you and a for your boy wishes there was a Dreamies icon

Lots of cuddles and no more dentals. Glad he managed to keep his fangs

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