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Elderly cat with bothersome teeth

3 replies

WorryWart0 · 13/06/2025 15:09

My old girl is about 20! and having issues with her teeth but I’m not sure what can be done about it.

A few months ago it seemed like she was getting food (particularly dry crunchy treats) stuck in her back teeth - I brought it up to the vet when she got her jags and the vet looked and said she was missing some teeth so it made sense.

In the last few weeks or so it has progressed and she’s now having bother with her teeth every time she eats, even with her Lick e Lixs 😣 so it can’t be food getting stuck, I think it now might be her teeth grinding against each other when she’s licking/opening and closing her mouth because she paws at her front teeth and there’s an awful crunching noise sometimes.

It’s not putting her off eating, but I feel bad for the poor girl because it’s a few times a day now and she is obviously getting annoyed! She’s on gabapentin and Arthrocam already for her arthritis, so i don’t think she’ll be in any pain, just grumpy.

Realistically, what could be done, would they operate on a 20 year old cat?! I don’t want to be a bad cat mum, but is there much point if she’s still eating OK?

She’s a torbico and still VERY feisty and strong - one of the vets couldn’t believe how strong she was 😅 so I’m not expecting her to go anytime soon. BUT she is still very very old for a cat.

Elderly cat with bothersome teeth
OP posts:
Yiayoula · 13/06/2025 15:23

Earlier this year our old girl (will be 18 in September) was behaving exactly as your beautiful girl is, so know the grinding/crunching noises you describe!
She’s on similar meds too, monthly Solensia injections for osteoarthritis.
She wouldn’t let the vet anywhere near her mouth to examine her, so we opted for sedated teeth cleaning and extraction of any rotten ones - six ended up being removed, and though a bit sad and sorry for herself initially she has made a complete recovery.
Like your girl she was eating well beforehand but as cats are adept at masking any pain I didn’t want to leave her untreated .

WorryWart0 · 13/06/2025 15:28

@Yiayoula Oh my goodness I’m so glad you know the crunching sound, it is not nice at all.

That’s really good to know the vet could do it sedated, definitely gives me confidence!

Can I ask how much it cost you? I don’t think my insurance will cover any dental work.

OP posts:
Yiayoula · 13/06/2025 17:27

Apologies, only just spotted your reply .
Have checked back and it was £444.62, we took her in at 8.30am and collected her at 4pm so no overnight stay.
No idea if that’s the average price or not , sorry - but vet did tell us that our insurance (Pet Plan) didn’t cover this treatment .

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