$1500 Teeth Cleaning...worth It? Help.

[trizzo0309]

Hello all, my three-year-old cat just had his yearly checkup and the vet noticed that his teeth had quite a bit of build-up on them. She was able to get some off and we tried as well on his back teeth but it's pretty damn caked on there.

The vet suggested we look into getting his teeth cleaned and we got a quote from the vet today regarding the price of it, $1000-$1500.

I completely understand the cost that is associated with pets and knew that going into it but is this something that is THAT important to where that extreme cost is necessary? Further, once they are cleaned what stops them from having more build-up overtime and me needing to do this again in a couple years?

Any feedback is appreciated and welcome! Thanks.

 

[LTS3]

Ask the vet for an itemized list of the estimate so you know what will be done. You may be able to negotiate price for some things. I've never paid more than a few hundred dollars for a dental procedure even if it included extractions.

February is usually Pet Dental Health Month and some vets offer discounts on dental procedures during that time. Ask your vet. If not, then just start putting aside money for the dental procedure if it doesn't need to be done right away.

Also call around and ask what other vets charge for dental procedures. Some vets are just really pricey. A veterinary dentist is ideal but any vet who has solid experience with dental procedures can be used.

 

[Daisy6]

The first time I had a cat get dental work done, I did it to use a coupon for Senior Cat Health Month in September, which included dentail that in the discount. Since your cat is only 3 years old, your best bet is waiting until February.

If his teeth are as bad as you describe, yes, it needs to be done - but not by a vet who charges $1500.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!

Yes, it is that important and it's worth it, but I totally agree with the other posters.

The thing is, if the buildup isn't taken care of not only will it eventually result in lost teeth, but also dental health or the lack thereof can impact the rest of the body, including the heart.

My latest vet said that a cleaning usually needs to be done about every three years, which in looking back at my cat's veterinarian history, that is about how it worked out for him.

Also, having the teeth cleaned is basically just about the only way to get the job done, no matter the bad info that kibble helps (it doesn't), that dental treats help (they don't) etc.

However, if you can get your cat to let you brush those teeth, that seems to help quite a lot, although I can't speak for whether it extends the time between actual vet cleanings.

 

[trizzo0309]

Hello! We did actually receive an itemized list. The anesthesia is expensive as it the "oral surgical extraction" depending on how many roots are involved.

 

[Hugospal]

If he needs many extractions that could be the reason for cost. I paid that much over two cleanings in which Hugo got 6 and 7 teeth removed each time respectively. Both my cats get yearly cleanings, but if no extractions are needed, it is only a few hundred dollars just for cleaning. Teeth that need extracted are likely causing pain and really should come out if that's what he needs.

 

[silkenpaw]

I would get a quote from somewhere else. Have them include the same items as your current itemized estimate. I don't know where you live but I live in S. Florida, which isn't cheap, and $1500 seems a lot to me.

And yes, cleaning teeth is definitely worth it.

 

[Blakeney Green]

I would call around for estimates from other practices. Dental health is very important, but the price they quoted you seems pretty exorbitant, especially for a young cat in good general health. I know that vet prices vary in different areas, but that's about ten times what I pay for dentals for my cats, so I'm questioning it.

I do think the dental is in general a good idea, but I would at least look into other options for who could do it.

 

[Daisy6]

Hello! We did actually receive an itemized list. The anesthesia is expensive as it the "oral surgical extraction" depending on how many roots are involved.

It has nothing to do with geting into multiple roots. Anethesia is always required, even for just cleaning the teeth and gums. And it must always be genral because, obviously, no cat is going to cooperate with a veterinarian putting tools in his/her mouth.

 

[Blakeney Green]

It has nothing to do with geting into multiple roots. Anethesia is always required, even for just cleaning the teeth and gums. And it must always be genral because, obviously, no cat is going to cooperate with a veterinarian putting tools in his/her mouth.

I'm pretty sure those two things are separate items on the bill, and the poster just made a typo trying to write "as is." That's why they seem unrelated.

 

[Willowy]

Dentistry costs in general vary wildly from one dentist to another. Call a few more vets for a quote. There isn't any reason it should cost that much.

 

[trizzo0309]

I'm pretty sure those two things are separate items on the bill, and the poster just made a typo trying to write "as is." That's why they seem unrelated.

You're right! "As is" the root extractions. If it is just the cleaning and no extractions, the price is a bit more reasonable but you never know what they'll do until they get in there, you know?

 

[denice]

Dentals and vet care here is generally pretty expensive, more expensive then other areas. The vet has always given me an itemized estimate before having it done and I have usually paid less than the estimate. I don't know if that is common or not. She usually puts more extractions on the estimate then she actually does. They are still expensive though. The last one that Alice got the estimate was for 1200 and the actual bill was half that.

 

[lalagimp]

I'm used to this. Amalie's estimates vary from $600-1600, depending on if extractions are needed, how many, if it's too many then there is extra time on the anesthesia so that charge goes up, xrays, convenia and pain killers if there are extractions. If they tell me we finished with $900... sweet.
She's got a problem with her mouth called FORLs. We get a dental done about every two years. First time we took out 4 teeth, second time we took out 1 tooth, and this third time during the spring we had to remove 3 teeth.
You also want to see NERVE BLOCK on the estimate if they are including possible extractions. This reduces the amount of general anesthetic they have to put into kitty's system to keep them under.

My other cats? $199 Groupons at another clinic. It's about $400 for a routine dental cleaning.

 

[Daisy6]

Speaking of general anesthesia, always look for the name of that drug on the list. You need to know which drug they are using because some are safer than others.

 

[4horses]

Am I a terrible cat owner? I've never had a dental on my cats or dogs. In fact, the vets have never even recommended one.

The one time we discussed dental health they did recommend brushing or the chlorhexidine mouth rinse. I use the mouth rinse on Tru as she is the only one with significant tartar buildup. She doesn't like it but I squirt it in her mouth after she eats supper. Chlorhexidine is recommended by my dentist as well as it protects the gums.

 

[4horses]

As for chlorhexidine make sure you get one safe for cats. It also stains teeth so keep that in mind.

 

[lalagimp]

Am I a terrible cat owner? I've never had a dental on my cats or dogs. In fact, the vets have never even recommended one.

Tom and Yue got them when they were 8.
My dog Lila got one within the first year I adopted her because her mouth was jacked. She was maybe three. Had a bunch of teeth removed. Vet said when he took the tartar off there was nothing supporting the ones in the front and they were wiggly so he just pulled them out with his fingers. She also had a broken molar.
My parents have never done a single cleaning on the dogs in 30 years. Must be nice.

 

[Daisy6]

If a vet can pull teeth out like that, the pet should have had them removed a long time ago.

 

[lalagimp]

If a vet can pull teeth out like that, the pet should have had them removed a long time ago.

Whole lotta wasn't my dog
I got her less than two weeks after the rescue pulled her from county. For all I know she was eating slugs and rocks.