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The litter tray

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

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Original poster

Worried - cat not perking up after dental

130 replies

timtam23 · 17/11/2017 19:50

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...

OP posts:

JessicaEccles · 24/11/2017 10:35

He's wonderful! I have been following this thread with bated breath. So please he is home xxxx

beargryllshasabigrope · 24/11/2017 10:47

Brilliant news! He looks one happy cat

Original poster

timtam23 · 24/11/2017 12:05

Thank you everyone so much for thinking of him and checking in. He's been asleep all morning (fairly normal for him) but last night he was very busy grooming all of the sticky bits off his belly (his fur was really matted from the ultrasound and from the laxative they gave him, as some spilt on his fur). He was so desperate to go outside that in the end we let him, as the vet said it would only stress him more if he couldn't follow his usual routine. He seemed to do lots of short trips back and forth to the yard, I think he was checking on everything to make sure it was the same. He's eaten a good breakfast today too. We're at the vet again on Monday for a checkup but hopefully that'll be routine. I can't help worrying a bit still but I think everything is ok for now at least.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 24/11/2017 12:11

Sounds like he's just checking everything is where he left it! Good luck for Monday.

cozietoesie · 24/11/2017 15:02

Yep. Sounds like 'check sorties' rather than 'pee runs'. Also hoping for the best on Monday. Let us know how it goes.

Botanicbaby · 25/11/2017 09:17

Aw this is really brilliant news that he's home! He is utterly gorgeous and I hope he gets on okay at check up.

He must be so glad to be home with you, I would be wanting to keep him close by my side too

cozietoesie · 25/11/2017 19:23

How has the lad's day been?Has he eaten?

Original poster

timtam23 · 25/11/2017 22:59

Cozie he seems ok although I was a bit worried about him earlier, he had been asleep for the entire day (didn't come down for breakfast either) and when I decided to intervene this afternoon & picked him up, he seemed a bit "out of it" and twitchy. However, DH said he was probably just grumpy because I'd disturbed him, and he was asleep because the weather's been horrible all day. DH is probably right as he seems a lot more perky now, he's eating really well this evening, has had some water, been outside & has also used his litter tray (we don't usually have a tray but I've put one out while he convalesces and also to check he's weeing). He's now in a grump because we have to give him a syringeful of laxative twice a day, goodness it's so sticky! DH, the cat and I all needed a good wash afterwards!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 25/11/2017 23:05

Good.

I'd keep the tray there for a good bit. (It's rotten weather and you don't need him going out - with his poor shaved bits - if he doesn't want to.)

Wolfiefan · 25/11/2017 23:09

Mine are only a couple of years old. Fit and well and plenty fluffy! They have hidden in the house most of the day. Out a few minutes at the most. It's flipping cold out.
Perhaps he's also tired from all the vet treatment and time away from home. Making the most of some quality sleeping time!

Original poster

timtam23 · 25/11/2017 23:16

Wolfie yes I agree, I think he's tired. When he came home on Thursday he was in and out, up and down for hours, and yesterday evening he was again very lively - he'd been in a little cage for 4 days and I expect he was tasting the freedom. It's probably caught up with him now. I'm still obsessively checking on the poor creature but he does seem settled and calm so his kidneys are probably ok for now!

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 25/11/2017 23:18

He's probably shattered from being at the vets. (If you've ever stayed in hospital you will understand!)
Then he's come home and had to check the perimeter.
Now sleeping.

Vinorosso74 · 25/11/2017 23:44

If he is eating that is good. Keep him in to check on toilet activity. He probably is v tired.

cozietoesie · 26/11/2017 00:41

I'd guess so, Yes. He's not been a well lad.

Original poster

timtam23 · 27/11/2017 15:44

So by yesterday I thought that Dudley was pretty much back to his usual self, he has been playful, wanting to go out in his usual routine, eating & drinking very well, bright and active, using his litter tray. He had a checkup with the vet this afternoon and she's pleased with him. No need for any immediate concerns about his kidneys but she does want him to move completely onto wet food (he currently has a complete dry food & supplementary wet food). No need for any further medication just now and he is booked in for a blood test just before Christmas to check kidney function - vet suggests we check this every 6-12 months so that any decline can be picked up early. This sounds reasonable to me & hopefully not too invasive for the cat. The alternative is keeping clear of the vet & waiting until he looks ill (this is DH's preference), by which time his kidney function could have gone downhill a lot, I think.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 27/11/2017 15:46

That's pretty good news. He would be going in every 12 months for his MOT anyway, I guess?

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/11/2017 15:48

I think by the time you notice it could be too late, I'd go for 6 months as well.

cozietoesie · 27/11/2017 15:54

My Darling Twoago died of renal failure although he was 13. It's not pleasant for the cat.

(Tell DH you'll make it every 12 months and then just bring the times .....down. He'll forget what he said when it comes to it.)

cozietoesie · 27/11/2017 15:55

PS - I've always fed my boys on wet food. It's not difficult.

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/11/2017 19:44

I mix water into asbos food, he still eats it happily & it makes me feel like I'm being proactive.

I use boiling water so it mixes easier.

Wolfiefan · 27/11/2017 19:46

I would go for every 6 months too. In a whole year he could deteriorate a lot.
Vaccinate (and check kidneys)
Yearly kidney check (6 months after the above!)

Original poster

timtam23 · 27/11/2017 20:50

I'm definitely going to go with 6 monthly bloods, just need to tweak the visits a bit so that they fit in with his annual vaccinations
I've found a wet complete food which looks very similar to his current food so hopefully he'll not mind the switch. My local pet shop owner very kindly said he could order it in (it's not stocked anywhere locally & I would rather buy local than go online)

OP posts:

Vinorosso74 · 27/11/2017 20:57

I agree with 6 monthly-not too often to annoy him but regular enough to keep a close eye on him.
Speaking from my own experience (granted not kidneys and more frequent visits) it really pays to have a good relationship with your vet for an ongoing issue.

Wolfiefan · 27/11/2017 22:56

Hoping the switch goes well.

lynmilne65 · 28/11/2017 12:07

I'm sorry but for my cat it didn't end well 😢

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