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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

The cat has lost a fang

12 replies

PenguindreamsofDraco · 05/02/2022 16:07

Do I need to do anything?

The big top right fang has basically sheared off, I found it on the stairs. Cat seems absolutely unbothered, munching up Dreamies as usual.

Am waiting for the vet to call back but is this something others have had, and what happened? Cat is only 5, no dental issues spotted on annual check up just before Christmas.

Thanks!

OP posts:

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 05/02/2022 16:23

Sybil lost half a fang years ago. Never worried her in the slightest. If you cat isn't bothered by it I wouldn't worry.

MyGlassKeepsLeaking · 05/02/2022 16:32

My old boy (about 19 now) lost one a few years ago, then had another extracted (vet said it was loose, not rotten). He lost another fang a few months ago, so he's got one left now but he still enjoys his food (he has wet and dry) and doesn't seem to be in pain.

mistermagpie · 05/02/2022 16:32

By the time my last cat died (aged 13) he had lost three of the four fangs at the front. He never seemed troubled by it and still are fine etc. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

Trinacham · 05/02/2022 16:33

One of my cats came to us without one of his fangs (he was 2 when we got him). Never been an issue

singswithitsfingers · 05/02/2022 16:38

My elderly boy only has one fang left - he's fine with it. However one of his fangs was sheared off for a while and the vet picked it up at a visit for another reason. They said he may be in pain and it should be removed. This obviously involved yet another vet visit but I generally trust them. Have they called you back yet?

Original poster

PenguindreamsofDraco · 05/02/2022 16:41

Nope. I emailed through a photo of the tooth and as close as I could get to his mouth about 2 hours ago. Some of it must still be in his gum because the tooth I fund was absolutely straight across, no root on it.
Thanks everyone who's replied.

OP posts:

LimpLettice · 05/02/2022 16:44

My boy did this a few years ago. The vet said to look at the broken surface. If you can see dental pulp, it may cause pain. If not, forget it.

Catinacupboard · 05/02/2022 16:45

It's probably worth a vet visit to check whether there is infection or pain and to see whether it has fractured as some of those teeth need proper removal, cats can continue eating with really significant mouth pain so it can be really hard to tell. If he will let you it may be worth sending a photo of the site as they may he able to tell from that. However if he's still well in himself I certainly wouldn't be rushing into emergency fees!

Original poster

PenguindreamsofDraco · 05/02/2022 17:46

What would dental pulp look like? This is as good a pic of his mouth as I could get before he put the remaining fangs to good use

OP posts:

LimpLettice · 05/02/2022 19:29

Sorry I forgot to check back! The vet said basically if it's white tooth and not cracked, don't worry. If you can see red / pink / flesh, then take him in. Also to check the jaw for any sign of injury but that lots of cats do it misjudging a jump and are usually fine.

TheLongRider · 05/02/2022 19:57

My oldest boy lost one of his top fangs over the summer. It didn't seem to cause him any problems. He had a checkup with the vet who said she couldn't have removed it any better herself!

ihaveonecat · 06/02/2022 20:24

Mine sneezed and a tooth flew out once. He looked a bit surprised and then demanded breakfast
He has one fang left in total now, no other teeth

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