Worried - cat not perking up after dental

[timtam23]

I just wanted a bit of perspective here in case I'm worrying needlessly about my cat being slow to recover. My 4 year old healthy cat went for his booster & checkup recently, all fine apart from quite a bit of tartar and gingivitis. The vet talked a bit about different dry food but I thought as he's young, go straight for a dental & start afresh with clean teeth. So he went in on Monday, had it done,uncomplicated procedure with no extractions needed & he had a metacam injection. I picked him up in the late afternoon. He did look pretty dishevelled and was quite zonked/disorientated, unable to purr or miaow (sore throat?). He didn't eat at all & we kept him in overnight. The next day he was still a bit disorientated & in fact couldn't make the big jump onto the shed when he went out, although he went up onto the outside wall in smaller steps. Again didn't eat (we had soft wet food out for him) although had some water. By Wednesday he was less lethargic but when I returned from work and he still hadn't eaten I took him back to the vet. Vet said it was unusual to have such a slow recovery - checked him over, everything seemed ok according to vet. Gave him 2 injections - one buprenorphine & one metacam. He did perk up noticeably Weds evening/Thurs, was trotting around and was sniffing at his food although not eating any of it. Today I'm back home from work late & apparently he's been asleep all day. Food from this morning is untouched. He's quite quiet, I took him downstairs & he's gone straight back up to the bed. Vet now shut until tomorrow. We were given post-op metacam but advised to give only with food so he hadn't had any due to not eating. However I've given him a bit this evening as he seemed to respond to pain relief before. I've had cats go for dentals before (elderly doddery ones as well) and they really did bounce back pretty quickly so I can't help worrying that this young fit one seems to be finding it quite tough. I was going to ring the vet again tomorrow unless any need for urgent advice overnight - can anyone give any reassurance or any ideas as to why he might not be wanting to eat? Sorry for the essay...

Only just seen your updates OP, keeping everything crossed for Dudley and sending you a sympathetic hug, hope there's better news tomorrow

Praying for your little Dudley, and of course, you.

I hope he improves very quickly.

Everyone is being so kind it's making me quite tearful! The vet has called to say he's still very unwell but was stable overnight, he is brighter, better hydrated today & he is weeing. Still not keen on eating but I think they are giving him plain cooked chicken breast which he has never been keen on. The plan remains to continue fluids, check bloods tomorrow & then discuss where to go from there. I'm visiting tonight & am even thinking about buying some hot roast chicken for him as that was what he ate yesterday.

Good cat slave! Great plan. Stable and weeing but more hydrated sounds good.

I'm visiting tonight & am even thinking about buying some hot roast chicken for him as that was what he ate yesterday

Of course. Then darling Dudley must have hot roast chicken (skin on and drowning in lick-e-lix ??) if that's what it takes.

My own Darling Twoago had serious renal problems. I know how it feels.

They seem really keen to do some tests around lymphoma (FIV blood test, kidney ultrasound). I think they are wanting to rule it out rather than suspecting that he has it, but I really really hope that it's not lymphoma

How is the lad doing?

Hope not too. Would be good to rule it out.

cozie I am allowed to visit him but not until this evening - vet saying he is ok today but no actual tests/results until tomorrow.
Wolfie I agree, it's horrible but probably better to know, it's one of the worst case scenarios but at least we'd be able to make an informed decision

Let us know when you get back from the visit then.

Crossing fingers and paws for test results. Hoping you have that chicken in the oven!

Hello, another one checking in, hoping for some good news for you.

So....I am back from visiting Dudley, he has again improved on fluids. He's much more alert. When he saw me he miaowed and came straight to the front of his cage, desperate to get out & see me. I spent half an hour with him cradled in the crook of my arm like a baby (DH holds him like this and he adores it) & he wanted lots of strokes and fuss. The only other issue today is that they can't get him to eat. I took a tin of his favourite food and some Dreamies but he wouldn't have any of it. He is looking and feeling very thin. He has to fast from midnight anyway in case his bloods allow some sedation. I think he's done as well as he can on the fluids - just have to wait for the test results tomorrow. I'm sure his kidney function won't be as horrendous as it was on Monday - he's seeming too bright for that - but it may still be pretty bad. Overall though I came away feeling positive and it was lovely to see him. Another visit booked for tomorrow.

I’m glad he’s brighter and I hope tomorrow goes well.

When Harry broke his jaw the vet couldn’t get him to eat so they tried him on Hills a/d, which is a pate for recovering cats. I didn’t think he’d eat it but he loved it. We still use it now to hide medication.

That sounds like a lovely visit. He sounds better in himself. Keeping it all crossed for the results.

Would also recommend the Hills a/d, even my fussy cat loved it, it seems very palatable and you can add water and whisk to make it more mousse like too. I've a very elderly cat with dental issues so have everything crossed for your cat

Hoping for a positive result from his bloods tomorrow.

My vet called it chocolate for cats cheese! I was very sceptical but, as usual he made a liar out of me!

I will ask the vet about Hills a/d when she phones me. My only thought would be if it is high in protein he may not be able to have it just yet because of his kidneys? But I will check as it sounds ideal.

I just did a quick Google and Hills a/d is high protein and high potassium. Neither of which would be great if his kidneys are still dodgy. But I will definitely ask about it or any other high-calorie food. If his tests are much better it might be a possibility

I had to syringe feed Snorg Royal Canin recovery milk. She came home with a feeding tube in her neck in the end. But I stopped feeding when I realised she wasn’t eating because she wasn’t hungry. She’s never eaten at the vets yeay. Neither of them will. Glad he’s a bit brighter. Paws crossed.

Has he had a poo at all? (I know you said he’d peed.)

I don't think so cozie. He is very gurgly and the vet says his abdomen feels quite full of poo. So that won't be helping.

Has he ever tried chicken livers? Very cheap & quick to cook.

My childhood cats all went mental for them, we'd have 4 cats lined up outside the oven when DM cooked them

I wonder if dehydration makes bowel movements harder to pass?.