New cat - awful breath!

[RamsayBoltonsConscience]

I've recently adopted two British shorthairs. They were previously kept as breeding cats and I took them from the owner who was going to put them to sleep as they were too old for breeding (they are only 4!)
When I first got them they were very nervous, I don't think that they'd been in a house before and I've taken my time getting them settled and used to me. For the first two weeks, one of them lived behind the TV and would only come out at night.
My issue is that they both have terrible breath and I know that they need to be seen by a vet but, at the moment, I haven't got a hope in hell of getting them in a cat carrier and to the vets. They have dry food and it's taken me ages to find a wet food they will eat but they both eat Lily's pate food. When they first arrived their dribble was blood coloured but this has faded. Is there anything that I can do to help with their satan breath before I can get them to the vet? They will come and sit near me, and now allow strokes and play but I'm not allowed to pick them up, one won't be brushed so any solution needs to be fairly hands off! Pictures because cats and they are gorgeous!

No, vets is non negotiable for teeth. They can be rotten right down to the root. A lot of carrier doors come off. If you haven’t got one that does this get one because it’s easier to scoop them than pick up them up while they twist, grow four extra legs and starfish.

Get them or one of them into the smallest room, probably your en-suite with food. Use the carrier to scoop them and the carrier door to push their bottoms in and then hold it on firmly while you attach it again.

Ive boxed a Bengal using this method that my 6’ 3” dh couldn’t box.

They are beautiful 😻

I don’t know much but vets seems the way. Top carrier any easier? That’s what we have.

I have a 4 year old ex breeding ragdoll and she came to us in similarly poor condition but for her it was being underweight, her teeth aren’t great but okay. Dcat also hadn’t been a house cat and she still after 2 years does not like to be picked up.

She is the most loving cat ever though and completely devoted to us so hopefully your experience will be the same.

If the owner cared that little for them, they probably have rotting teeth. Especially with the bloody drool thing. Take them to the vet ASAP, they'll be in pain.

Do them one at a time if you need to. A top loading carrier is easier than one that only opens at the front. Leave the carrier out with treats inside, try to get them to trust it before their appointment in the next day or two. Bundle them up in a blanket to put them in if necessary. They'll forgive you and this is important, they could have infected teeth which is life threatening.

That sounds like really serious dental issues requiring urgent vet attention as the others have said.

Once they’ve had their teeth deep-cleaned - & just from what you’ve said, I suspect some extractions done: they’re insured, right? - there’s lots you can do to help keep their teeth in good shape without brushing:
• PlaqueOff powder - just add a scoop to their food once a day
• Logic Oral Hygiene Gel - ideally you’d brush with it, but just eating it is better for your cats than nothing
• there are loads of different options available for adding to cats’ drinking water eg PLAQTIV+
• toothcare-specific cat treats - but obviously check with your vet first as it may well not be appropriate
• toys designed to clean cats’ teeth, like the Petstages ones: the BalletCats don’t have the catnip gene but they love these:

Starting a water additive immediately wouldn’t hurt, but you absolutely have to find a way to get your cats veterinary attention asap.

I've had neglected ex breeding queens and it's hard work teaching them to be pets. (But well worth it) I agree with a PP, you are just going to have to take them to the vet as soon as possible as possible. They could be in pain.

It’s really sad how badly breeding queens are often treated.

Our ex queen ragdoll is our first cat and although I now adore the breed, I don’t think I could ever go for a kitten because I’ve seen the other side.

Dcat settled very quickly but she was scared of the TV at first and she hates other cats so we can’t get a companion.

They need the vet. Nothing you can buy over the counter will make any difference if they're already suffering.

You just need to pick them up and take them - we had to do it with our nervous rescue after a couple of weeks as he developed an ulcer on his eye. It was traumatic for everyone but leaving him to suffer wasn't an option.

@Doyouthinktheyknow yes I could never have a kitten either, for the same reason. Also put me off going to car shows as well. My new girl was a show cat. But had an untreated ear infection when she came to me.

Thanks everyone. I'll glove up and get them to the vets asap. They are gorgeous girls and are so sweet.

They are beautiful girls. I’m so glad they are out of the breeding situation, but they are probably in pain and in need of vet care.

Another one saying bloody drool and bad breath is teeth and gum related. Poor things. Speak to the vet first and see if they can offer a small sedative tablet to enable you to catch them safely. Some might not without weighing first which is catch 22.

I can also vouch for the top loading one, much less stressful for everyone and less bloody for the humans. Our local vet had one we could buy.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MDC-Cat-Carrying-Basket-Black/dp/B01DZXNH26/ref=asc_df_B01DZXNH26/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309990657539&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13873510608967975375&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046416&hvtargid=pla-655113535193&th=1

They'll probably be different cats once they are out of pain. They are absolutely stunning. The whole breeding industry makes me so angry. My first two Persians had issued that could have been avoided with responsible breeding. Someone at church this morning was delighted that her dog is having puppies this week. I really had to bite my tongue!

You are right, too often the breeding animals are treated badly😢

We were always going to rescue but it was pure chance we were offered our ragdoll and I was fairly naive to the industry before that.

Dcat was so skinny when she came to us, it was awful to see. She is a large cat but you could feel all her bones. We are fortunate in that aside from that she seems fairly healthy at the moment but who knows what the future holds🤷‍♀️

The specialist rescue all
Mine came from has collected evidence of dodgy breeders, but the RSPCA will do nothing.

I've a couple of ex breeding queens too. One had awful breath - so had to have multiple teeth out. She is so much happier now.
The other was skin and bone and had runny stools. She was also terrified of everything. A year on, she will now come and sit on my lap of her own volition, but it's been a long road.

Good luck @RamsayBoltonsConscience 😺 I hope the vet trip goes as well as possible for all of you & your - very beautiful - cats don’t need too much doing to their teeth & feel much better after it is done!