Difficult for vet to examine cat's teeth

[2018name]

Hello. How easy is it for a vet to examine a cats teeth? I ask because today despite concerted effort vet was unable to get my cat to open up and he said the only way to actually examine problem would be to give him a general anaesthetic which seem to be extreme to me for an older cat. Has has anyone had a cat that actually had to do this in order to check if there is even a problem in the first place? Thanks very much.

Well it's not easy unless the cat is very compliant... Very easy for vet to get bitten or scratched while trying and most vets (understandably!) don't want to risk it. Especially if they need to really have a proper look at every teeth and gums, not just a quick look in on one side.

My eldest cat needs a sedation for most procedures so hers are checked under sedation while doing other things (she has regular blood tests for hyperthyroidism/renal disease anyway).

At least half of my cats need to be sedated for a mouth check. It's only a very mild sedation, not a full on anaesthetic.

It's extremely common for cats to need a sedation for dental examinations as they aren't very good at saying "Aaaah"

I must be lucky with Harry, he lets them look! Considering the problem he's had with his teeth that's a good thing, especially as I don't want him to be sedated unless it's absolutely necessary as he's had a bad reaction to sedation.

Our cat is the same. We are taking her next month to get a check up. She's a very placid cat but won't open her mouth for the vet to check.

Much easier to take good pictures at home and show them to the vet. Mine is more than happy with this approach.

Mine needs ga for a blood test, the sedation didn't work as well as I'd hoped according to the vet nurse. He will let them have a brief peek inside if I scruff him.

If their going to do it like that why not have pre op bloods, and book a dental? He's unlikely to get away with no extractions if he's an older boy.