MCat's teeth.

[RubbishMantra]

MCat just went to the vet's for his jabs.

She noticed he had sore gums/tartar build-up, and has given him some special treats to help remove it.

He's going in for a tartar removal, like a cat version of a scale and polish.

What I was wondering, he's only 4 and a half, so is this a normal age to expect this to happen?

He looks so dejected after his jabs, hiding under the bed. And that he might be in pain with his sore little gums.

SparklingCat is 8 and has had a dental every year for the last 3 years. I think she is just prone to the build up.

Have tried the stuff that you can out in their water, she will not have anyone brushing her teeth surprisingly.
She had the last one 3 weeks ago and finally I have got her eating the recommended dry food so hoping the next one will be a bit longer.

So not abnormal at his age then?

Which dry food is that Sparkling, please?

Both of my cats have had dental work.

Big boy cat had something similar to what your cat is having. A general anaesthetic and a good clean etc. He was about 2, he is 5 now and he has no trouble with his teeth, he eats Royal canin oral care as his main food.

Little girl cat was a year old at her annual jabs when the vet was horrified at her gums and mouth. She had many tests, antibiotics, x-rays and biopsies before being diagnosed with juvenile gingivitis. She also had to have an upper tooth filed down as it was digging into her lower gum.
Luckily our insurance covered us for her treatment.

I keep an eye on her gums and nothing has come back. Again, she has royal canin oral care, amongst other things (she may be little but she is a piggy)

Neither cat showed any pain or discomfort before the vet picked up on their dental issues.

The Lodger had tartar build up bad enough to warrant a GA procedure at only about 3. I admit that his diet had likely been .......challenging....... when he was on the streets (probably lots of sugary/sticky Chinese food) but he was a superb hunter as well so did a fair amount of bone crunching.

I think some cats are more prone to dental problems. Here's some background.

Best get used to it I reckon. If he's only a young cat, it won't be the last procedure he'll have.

Good luck to him.

Thank you all for replies.

Reassured me a bit.

I'll have a look at the insurance policy to see if he's covered. Didn't think it covered dental work, will be a bonus if it does.

Bog standard dental is not covered (boy cat) but where gums come into it(girl cat) pet plan paid out ALOT.
I was very pleased we were insured.

He's sitting with his back to me sulking now. After I protected him from MKitten's attentions. Who then proceeded to start ripping up the corners of the carpet in a frenzied teenage tantrum.

Oh dear, jabs do make them tired for the rest of the day much like vaccines in children but with no sugar lump.

How much will it cost? For the dental I mean not the carpet.

Dental, about a hundred.

Carpets? Christ, they were only put in a year ago, so hopefully MK will grow out of the tantrums.

MK just hurled himself, velcro like at the window again. (He sticks because of the claws/mesh combo)

Poor MCat. I did warn him though, when he was bullying little MK, than one day he could be the one to be bullied. The day has come.

Sparkling Cat's dental was £140. Apparently it would have been more if there were any extractions.

This is what the vets recommended. But not to try her with them for a week or 2 after the dental due to sensitivity.

I know I keep saying it (and no one listens) but this stuff really works!

www.vetuk.co.uk/pet-dental-care-tooth-brushes-tooth-paste-c-11_832/logic-oral-hygiene-gel-pet-toothpaste-70g-p-49

My three are very prone to dental problems (breed related), at 7yrs all have had a few extractions. We feed the hills prescription dental alongside smillia and raw, they only get build-up in a few places now. Diet does play a role, wet food really sticks to their teeth. Mine had a period on a well known brand of jelly pouches and their teeth were terrible for a while after.

I think people probably do listen, chockbic - in fact I bought some of that once - but some cats are just so funny about their mouths that a daily application would be nigh on impossible, even without the brushing. You must be lucky with yours.

We gave it on her paw once or twice a week and she licked it off. In fact, she would follow us around, eager to taste it.

Not sure why, it smelt vile to me. She was a very fussy pussy too. It prevented her needing any more dental work.

I can imagine senior boy giving Cozie the "wipe it off now" look at toothpaste on his paw.

Oh thanks Sparkling and Choc, will definitely try them out.