Question:
I took my cat to the vet yesterday for his annual exam. Last year they
told me his teeth were good but that he had gingivitis. His gums
looked quite red. He had no other symptoms - ate his dry food without
a problem and didn't seem to have any discomfort. I started brushing
his teeth every few days.
This year the gingivitis is still the same and now they say he has
tartar on his teeth. They still don't think it's an emergency issue
but told me to try a dental food (Science Diet Prescription TD) and to
brush daily. If that doesn't help to consider cleaning and/or
extractions.
I am leaning towards extractions and wanted some advice. He is 6 years
old. If the gum problems didn't improve since last year when he had no
tartar problems I don't see that a cleaning is going to cure the
gingivitis now.
I'm told a cat can do just fine without teeth. Is that true? Can I
still feed him dry food? He loves Science Diet Nature's Best and as
far as I can tell he does not chew it.
This is a REALLY dumb question and won't affect my decision, but will
he look different after his teeth are out? I just want to be
prepared.
Answer:
My 4 year old bombay had a mild case of gingivitis last year. (wouldn't
and still won't let me near him with a toothbrush or fingerbrush) The
vet suggested I have his teeth cleaned professionally. They put the cat
out so it feels nothing and can't squirm around. Seemed to work out
great. Teeth very clean after the procedure. Cost about $200 with the
blood scan (to make sure the anesthetic is correctly adjusted). I now
feed him Science Diet Oral Care nuggets and add some plaque fighter to
his water once a month. So far, so good :-)
Has the vet ever cleaned his teeth?? My Sam had sligthly red gums and the vet cleaned his
teeth and the redness went away eventually.
I'm not a vet, but most likely you will have to have the vet
professionally clean his teeth. Once there is tartar buildup, regular
brushing won't remove it (the same is true for people). If you take
care of this sooner rather than later, it will minimize the need for
extractions (if any are needed). Yes, cats can do fine without teeth.
My parents' late kitty had several removed and ate the same as she
always did. No, he won't look different, unless the remove a canine
tooth, which is more noticable when they open their mouths.
I'm not a fan of prescription food, and personally don't think it would
have much of an effect. (One of my parents' dogs has a tartar problem
and eats this food, but still has to get his teeth cleaned about every
two years.) It's most important to feed a high quality diet and brush
regularly.
My Tucker has had his teeth cleaned twice and recovered quickly. You
might have to give him a round of antibiotics to prevent any
infections, but they can come home the same day.
Anitbiotics?? For what??? The gums arent infected. We dont give
antibiotics for teeth cleaning and ALL our cats stay the night after
any SX (teeth cleaning is still considered SX)
If your dentist said you had gingivitis despite brushing every day,
wouldn't you get your teeth professionally cleaned?
If the cat has healthy teeth underneath the tartar, have the TARTAR
professionally removed. This should cure the gingivitis while leaving
the teeth in tact.
I think you should have your cat's teeth cleaned and forget about
extractions unless your cat actually has stomatitis or a bad tooth.
Gingivitis is reversible. If your vet recommended a full mouth extraction-
you need to find a new vet.
My cat had the same thing, but I put off the professional cleaning because
he had other issues that had to be dealt with first. Well, eventually it
got bad enough that when he did go in for the cleaning, they had to do three
extractions. He's pulled through it fine. He was on wet food for the first
time in his life for a few weeks, and when he started turning up his nose at
it, I knew he was fine. So now it's back to eating dry food only.
The BEST thing about having his teeth cleaned? No more stinky breath!
Honestly, he used to yawn, and I could smell it across the room. I thought
it was normal, but now? Sweet!
Actually, the best thing about having his teeth cleaned is no more nasty
bacteria going into his bloodstream and putting strain on his mildly CRF
kidneys.
So go for the cleaning, and listen to Phil, and go with the antibiotics. A
cat is like a car...you have to invest in preventive maintenance to prolong
your enjoyment!
