What happens to cats with bad teeth?

[MirandaWest]

Am taking DCat to the vets this morning as her breath is truly horrendous and one side of her mouth isn't right - think one of her teeth must be infected. Have read things online about them needing general anaesthetic so teeth can get dealt with but she is 14 and I'm a bit concerned about the effect on her. Plus that obviously couldn't happen straight away - is there anything more immediate that can be done?

Am also hoping the vet has seen cats whose breath is quite this awful

We had a rescue cat who had terrible trouble with his teeth. In the end the vet removed them all - it didn't phase him at all.

He just gummed everything! He hunted and caught mice etc and ate cat biscuits without a problem!

I don't mind her not having teeth Do you remember how the teeth were removed? Am presuming it's not quite like a dentist for humans.

What makes you think it can't happen straight away? I'm a vet, we'd fit any animal in pain in for dental treatment straight away (might have to be tomorrow if she's eaten) I would be running basic bloods to check liver and kidney function in an elderly patient but if otherwise we'll no reason she can't have an anaesthetic to sort her mouth out. She will probably be given painkiller and start antibiotics today if the treatment is not done immediately. Hope she is feeling better soon.
Don't worry about what the vet will think, I guarantee they have seen and smelled much worse.

It's exactly like a dentist for humans except the teeth are treated under a general rather than local anaesthetic, and there is much less emphasis on restorative dentistry ( fillings etc) damaged or infected teeth will be extracted.

What bakingtins said. It's amazing how much better she will feel once it's sorted out.

Thank you everyone - I was assuming in a ten minute or so consultation that they'd be unlikely to be able to do that much right away but hopefully something can be done.
She won't be impressed with going there but at least it is in our village so no dreaded car journey needed :)

Electricalpussy is 18 and had most of her teeth removed about 4 years ago. Her breath stank.

She is as fit as a fishmongers cat now. Sweet breath etc. she does look a bit odd as she has a few teeth on one side so when she has a resting face she looks like half a vampire!

Cat has antibiotics and painkiller. Was hard for vet to look properly as v sore but she thinks it might be a growth and if so then prognosis poor . Another appointment on Wednesday to take another look. Will see what happens

My 14 year old rescue cat had stomatitis when we first got him. The rescue centre told us his teeth were bad but we didn't know how bad. The vet removed practically all of them and he really loves his food now and put on a bit of weight. We were worried about anaesthetic because of his age but he was fine. All the best for your girl.

Here's a picture of her :)

My boy had most of his teeth pulled last year when he was 11, before the op he had awful breath, was dribbling lots and went off his food, poor thing was miserable.

He's much happier now, he's got about 4 teeth left and I tend to feed him wet food but he does manage to eat dry food in emergencies when I've forgotten to go to the shop