Tooth abscess

[Mottledgrey]

My 18 year old big ginger cat has recently had a horrendous tooth abscess that swelled up his whole face to the point where his eye was all red and infected. He couldn’t close his eye at all and didn’t eat for 4 days. I was convinced he was going to die. After 4 days the antibiotics the vet prescribed worked and he is now so much better which is a miracle in itself considering how ill he was.

I just wondered if anyone had any experience of this? The didn't say to bring him back in but I’m just wondering if it will come back and he will need the tooth removed?

I’m glad he’s okay now. Please can I ask did you notice his breath smelled as my cat has terrible bad breath and I’m worried he’s got a tooth problem. The vet just said he’s got some gingivitis. Also he does not want to munch his dry food anymore.

@CalzoneOnLegs i didn’t notice his bad breath to be honest. That’s not to say he hasn’t had it as he keeps to himself so much I might not have noticed. Not noticed it when giving the antibiotic tablets though either.

Hope your boy feels better soon

Thank you 😻

In general tooth abscesses in cats will return unless the tooth is removed. Did the vet discuss dental treatment with you?

Yes it will need removal but at 18 they will be cautious about anesthesia

With the right management the risk is low I did 3 teenage cat dentals the other day, anaesthetic bloods, intravenous fluids and good pain relief during and after surgery the vast majority of outcomes are excellent these days. The risk of complications even in old animals is 1 in 15,000 which is lower than many human surgeries - my husband had a risk of 1 in 100 for a surgery last year with the least bad complication being a stroke. Veterinary anaesthesia of older animals is excellent now days.

Thanks everyone, no the vet didn’t discuss what would happen after the antibiotics… I wonder if she thought he wouldn’t come through it. I’ll ring them and find out.

any idea of how much it costs for a tooth extraction and bloods? It won’t impact my decision but it would good to have an idea!