Insight on dental issues

zoes

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Hi all! I'm looking for some insight into dental issues in cats - by which I mean the gingivitis, resorption, and tartar build-up that is treated with a dental cleaning and extractions.

I had all three of my cats' dentals done in the past 4 years. One of them went to the vet yesterday and she is due again (it's been 3 years and one month since her last one) and I was honestly a little surprised. She didn't have her first dental until she was 11 years old and the vet didn't seem to think she really needed one before that point - or at least, she didn't really push it - and now three years on, she seems already well overdue.

I've had vets not bring up dentals at all, I've had vets mentioned it offhand, and vets treat it like it's causing immense suffering and she needs it done immediately.

I also know many people who have never had their cats undergo dental cleanings, and their cats seem perfectly fine. If their cats have sore mouths, they don't appear to be very sore (not that I want them to be sore at all.) One of my cats' pain meds wore off too soon after her dental extractions and you could really tell - she looked miserable and refused to eat until I brought her back to the vet and they gave her another shot.

I'm not looking for permission to not address my cats' oral health, I guess I'm just looking for some clarity on how others feel about this and how they think their cats feel about it.

Getting all three of my cats done every three years probably isn't financial feasible for me longterm, as it works out to about $1,500 per cat per dental with pre-testing and x-rays. Also, my cats are getting up in years, and there's a point at which I'll not want to put them through surgery and dental extraction, general anesthetic risk, or put myself through the financial toll. But I don't know where that point is. My older cats are 15+ and could live another 5 years - or another 6 months.

And yes I do try to brush their teeth, but I fail at doing it often enough to make much of a difference. The one with the worst mouth also needs three oral medications daily and I really feel bad about getting into her face for yet another thing. One cat HATES it and will fight me on it. The third is pretty ok with it but then I'll forget for two weeks straight - but she'll chew up and eat raw bones, so I'm hoping that helps.

Anyway, sorry for long post. I guess I'm either looking for validation that doing all these dentals is well worth the money for my cats' health and comfort, OR for rationale that will let me have fewer dentals done knowing my cats aren't suffering in the interim.
 

Britney91

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To be honest.. no vet has ever told me to get their dentals done. They do check their teeth and gums every check-up, and one of our cats has to have his teeth brushed by me every other day, because his gums were red near his teeth, so we had to prevent it from becoming an issue, so now I just brush his teeth every other day. (e often doesn't chew his food, so his teeth don't get "cleaned" well by the food like it's supposed to do). But that's the only experience I have had with this.

You could always call other vets to ask about it, to see what they say. I know some vets can be pushy and want to make money, but I do think it's important for a vet to check their teeth etc. of course. The cat who's teeth I have to brush is 4 years old, the other is almost 8 and has never had dental issues nor a dental procedure of any kind.
 

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(e often doesn't chew his food, so his teeth don't get "cleaned" well by the food like it's supposed to do).
While I agree with the trying to brush teeth and talking to the vet about it, I do want to mention that dry food cleaning teeth is actually a myth and has been proven false. However, there are toys that can help (not a substitute for brushing or proper vet dental care).
Toys with a mesh netting, gummy texture or tassels are helpful in cleaning your cats teeth when they chew on them.
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Britney91

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While I agree with the trying to brush teeth and talking to the vet about it, I do want to mention that dry food cleaning teeth is actually a myth and has been proven false. However, there are toys that can help (not a substitute for brushing or proper vet dental care).
Toys with a mesh netting, gummy texture or tassels are helpful in cleaning your cats teeth when they chew on them.
View attachment 373021View attachment 373022View attachment 373023View attachment 373024
O wow, never knew it was a myth. thank you so much for sharing that with us!
 
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zoes

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To be honest.. no vet has ever told me to get their dentals done. They do check their teeth and gums every check-up, and one of our cats has to have his teeth brushed by me every other day, because his gums were red near his teeth, so we had to prevent it from becoming an issue, so now I just brush his teeth every other day. (e often doesn't chew his food, so his teeth don't get "cleaned" well by the food like it's supposed to do). But that's the only experience I have had with this.

You could always call other vets to ask about it, to see what they say. I know some vets can be pushy and want to make money, but I do think it's important for a vet to check their teeth etc. of course. The cat who's teeth I have to brush is 4 years old, the other is almost 8 and has never had dental issues nor a dental procedure of any kind.
Yeah. I mean I don't doubt they DO have those dental issues, I'm just not entirely convinced that they are as detrimental as some vets seem to think. I do think that, to some extent, our teeth (and animals' teeth) were meant to be kind of lost over the course of life and it's only due to modern dentistry that we expect to have all of our teeth into old age. Not that I want my cats' teeth to rot out of their heads, but hopefully you know what I mean there.

I don't think my vet is just out to make money, I think noticing this stuff is probably a function of being a vet. My only concern in that aspect is that now I've been identified as a patient who is willing and able to do three dentals in 4 years, and so now my vet is pushing procedures that they might not push otherwise. She even wants me to have special chest xrays done and examined by an external expert because she's not 100% sure that my cat's raspy breathing (due to ongoing upper resp issues that's treated as well as it can be) is limited to her upper respiratory tract. And of course I'll do it because general anesthetic with infected lungs is a horrifying idea, but it's another $500 on the bill and I just have no idea if or where I can draw the line if these things keep coming.
 
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zoes

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While I agree with the trying to brush teeth and talking to the vet about it, I do want to mention that dry food cleaning teeth is actually a myth and has been proven false. However, there are toys that can help (not a substitute for brushing or proper vet dental care).
Toys with a mesh netting, gummy texture or tassels are helpful in cleaning your cats teeth when they chew on them.
I have never seen these toys. Do cats like to chew on them? I've seen my cat chew on their actual toys unless they're on a wand and they "catch" them and gnaw on them. Maybe that's something I could be doing every day, getting one of toys on a wand and letting them chew on it.

I'd like to be the kind of person who brushes their cats' teeth every day but it just doesn't seem to be a habit I am successful at maintaining, so I'm definitely looking for half measures that will decrease the frequency of dentals and number of extractions. I am trying to get my cats on bones and meat chunks but only one of them is really interested and I limit the amount of it I give her to ensure her diet remains balanced (one raw chicken wing per week that takes her 2-3 days to get through - I put it back in the fridge after she loses interest each time.)
 

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Yeah. I mean I don't doubt they DO have those dental issues, I'm just not entirely convinced that they are as detrimental as some vets seem to think. I do think that, to some extent, our teeth (and animals' teeth) were meant to be kind of lost over the course of life and it's only due to modern dentistry that we expect to have all of our teeth into old age. Not that I want my cats' teeth to rot out of their heads, but hopefully you know what I mean there.

I don't think my vet is just out to make money, I think noticing this stuff is probably a function of being a vet. My only concern in that aspect is that now I've been identified as a patient who is willing and able to do three dentals in 4 years, and so now my vet is pushing procedures that they might not push otherwise. She even wants me to have special chest xrays done and examined by an external expert because she's not 100% sure that my cat's raspy breathing (due to ongoing upper resp issues that's treated as well as it can be) is limited to her upper respiratory tract. And of course I'll do it because general anesthetic with infected lungs is a horrifying idea, but it's another $500 on the bill and I just have no idea if or where I can draw the line if these things keep coming.
I get what you mean, and I agree with your thoughts on teeth and modern dentistry. Just like how they push people to have straight and white teeth, for example, while it's only normal for teeth to not be extremely straight and have some color.

I know how you feel. I think going to another vet, just to test what they will say, is something you could do. Or just make a phonecall to ask what they think, I have done that before when I felt my vet was testing my cats urine over and over again just to tell me something I already knew. When there is an actual issue, or symptom of something that could be serious, sure, do the xray or this or that, but I think you can always find something on a cat where you can say "hey this could be something, let's do this 367 dollar test". At the end of the day we know our cats best and if something feels unnecessary to you, you have the right to draw the line and say no. A vet can never force you.
 

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I have never seen these toys. Do cats like to chew on them? I've seen my cat chew on their actual toys unless they're on a wand and they "catch" them and gnaw on them. Maybe that's something I could be doing every day, getting one of toys on a wand and letting them chew on it.

I'd like to be the kind of person who brushes their cats' teeth every day but it just doesn't seem to be a habit I am successful at maintaining, so I'm definitely looking for half measures that will decrease the frequency of dentals and number of extractions. I am trying to get my cats on bones and meat chunks but only one of them is really interested and I limit the amount of it I give her to ensure her diet remains balanced (one raw chicken wing per week that takes her 2-3 days to get through - I put it back in the fridge after she loses interest each time.)
Brushing teeth every other day is also an option, IF there is a reason their dentals even need extra attention.
 

neely

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I understand where you're coming from and I think we all have to take into consideration our cat's health vs our financial budget. It's definitely a juggling act at times. Speaking from personal experience, I never thought too much about dentals until our last cat had FORL and eventually succumbed to cancer of the mandible. Our present cat also had FORL and several dental surgeries with multiple extractions. We adopted both cats and thus they came with their own set of health problems. Since then I am much more aware of dental health and was lucky none of our previous cats had these type of issues.

I wanted to reiterate the myth about dry food cleaning your cat's teeth since TCS has an Article that discusses this subject:
Does Dry Food Actually Clean Your Cat’s Teeth? – TheCatSite Articles
Also an Article on Feline Gingivitis & Stomatitis with helpful information: Gingivitis And Stomatitis In Cats – TheCatSite Articles
And one more about brushing your cat's teeth that may have some tips and advice for you:
How To Brush Your Cat’s Teeth – TheCatSite Articles
An additional option you may want to consider is raw chicken gizzards. I have never tried them myself but some members have found them very useful for chewing and their cats really like them.

Given your situation with the three cats if you have a good relationship with your vet and trust their expertise you may want to have a heart-to-heart discussion with them and prioritize what is essential and most beneficial for both your cats and you. Best of luck! 🤗
 
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zoes

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I understand where you're coming from and I think we all have to take into consideration our cat's health vs our financial budget. It's definitely a juggling act at times. Speaking from personal experience, I never thought too much about dentals until our last cat had FORL and eventually succumbed to cancer of the mandible. Our present cat also had FORL and several dental surgeries with multiple extractions. We adopted both cats and thus they came with their own set of health problems. Since then I am much more aware of dental health and was lucky none of our previous cats had these type of issues.

I wanted to reiterate the myth about dry food cleaning your cat's teeth since TCS has an Article that discusses this subject:
Does Dry Food Actually Clean Your Cat’s Teeth? – TheCatSite Articles
Also an Article on Feline Gingivitis & Stomatitis with helpful information: Gingivitis And Stomatitis In Cats – TheCatSite Articles
And one more about brushing your cat's teeth that may have some tips and advice for you:
How To Brush Your Cat’s Teeth – TheCatSite Articles
An additional option you may want to consider is raw chicken gizzards. I have never tried them myself but some members have found them very useful for chewing and their cats really like them.

Given your situation with the three cats if you have a good relationship with your vet and trust their expertise you may want to have a heart-to-heart discussion with them and prioritize what is essential and most beneficial for both your cats and you. Best of luck! 🤗
Thank you! I don't feed my cats any dry food and do try to give them gizzards, bones, and big chunks of raw meat as treats a couple times a week) to get them to chew on something, unfortunately only one is really interested (she will go through an entire chicken wing, bones and all, in one evening if she's hungry.) The others will eat it but I have to cut it up small - I am working on the pieces getting a little bigger, but they're not very food motivated.

I feel I could comfortably tell my vet I want to defer the dental, and I think she would accept it without issue, but I also don't want to defer important care because I don't want to spend the money, you know what I mean? It's hard to get a straight answer from a vet sometimes, not because they are trying to be deceptive; it's just hard to communicate exactly what I'm trying to ask, and it's hard to interpret their responses (I overthink and catastrophize, LOL)

And I mean, I can afford it, it just takes a big chunk out of my spending money or savings, though ultimately I'd rather have a healthy, happy cat and cut back on everything else I buy. I just don't want to spend unnecessarily or divert savings that I may need some day in the event of a more acute veterinary emergency.

I'm also hoping that one of these days, it'll push me to take better care of their teeth between dentals. After every dental I will brush their teeth every day, for a few weeks... then I forget... I am going try just rubbing the toothpaste with my finger onto their teeth, and get them some better chew toys, and keep on with the raw meat and bones. Hopefully it'll at least be enough to get more distance out of each dental. If I could get a dental done every 6 years per cat with no/minimal extractions each time, I'd be pretty okay with that.

Since you seem very well informed about dental health, I was wondering if you had any thoughts on a question I have been asking myself. 3 years does not seem like a very long time after her first dental for her to need another one. Even 18 months ago, her vet said her teeth were ok, a bit of tartar but that was it. This same cat has upper respiratory issues for which she's on 3 meds (due to years of untreated herpes and damage to her upper respiratory tract when she was a stray.) It's about 85% better now, though it's not perfect and as a result she does sometimes breathe through her mouth, drools a lot, and burps sometimes (seems to be from the mouth-breathing, not diet). Do you think this could be contributing to a more frequent need for dental care? If it's just her weird mouth needing more care, I can wrap my head around that. The idea of all three of my cats needing $1,500 of dental care every three years, on the other hand, is a much more daunting prospect.
 

neely

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(I overthink and catastrophize, LOL)
I wouldn't know anything about that since it describes me to a tee. :biggrin: Our cats are a part of our family and it's only natural to worry about them especially when they're not feeling 100%. I'm going through a bit of a struggle with a health procedure and finances right now myself for our guy. I think we're always learning but we try to do what's best in the long run and be proactive.

Hopefully it'll at least be enough to get more distance out of each dental. If I could get a dental done every 6 years per cat with no/minimal extractions each time, I'd be pretty okay with that.
Honestly, I feel for you but I don't think most vets would agree with a dental every six years. At the very least your cats should have a yearly exam where your vet checks their gums and teeth. Since you mentioned your cats are up in years it's equally important for them to have a senior physical which includes specific bloodwork to prevent health issues that occur as your cat gets older. Please note this Article about cats as they age and also scroll down to The Condition of Aging Cat's Teeth:
What To Expect As Your Cat Ages – TheCatSite Articles

I don't know if your vet is a Board Certified Dental Specialist but if not you may want to consider consulting a specialist in your area. Before you start adding up the dollar signs, you may want to call and ask their fees as well as whether or not this is an option for you. You can find a directory here: What is a Veterinary Dentist? | AVDC.org

In the end, I always say go with your gut. People can give you well intended advice but ultimately you have to decide what is best for your situation. Please don't be too hard on yourself either. We are here to listen and for support. :alright:
 
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zoes

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I don't think most vets would agree with a dental every six years. At the very least your cats should have a yearly exam where your vet checks their gums and teeth. Since you mentioned your cats are up in years it's equally important for them to have a senior physical which includes specific bloodwork to prevent health issues that occur as your cat gets older.
Do you mean vets would think that is too many, or too few dental cleanings? I don't know anyone who has their cats done more often than that - I'd say most people I know only do it once or twice in a cat's lifetime, if they do it at all (not saying this is the right approach.) My kitties do get annual exams as well as bloodwork and urine testing (when possible) at my vet's discretion (usually about once a year, sometimes more if there's any issues observed in the first blood test.)

Please note this Article about cats as they age and also scroll down to The Condition of Aging Cat's Teeth:
What To Expect As Your Cat Ages – TheCatSite Articles
I just read this and was surprised to see every 6 months is recommended for a dental cleaning.To be honest it seems extreme to me to put a cat - especially a senior one - through general anesthetic every 6 months (not to mention unaffordable as that would be $6-9,000 a year just for dental work for my three cats.)

I am not trying to be argumentative or anything and do appreciate you taking the time to share all this with me - I am just very very surprised that, barring specific reasons for doing so, it would be recommended to do a general-anesthetic procedure anywhere near that often.
 

neely

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Do you mean vets would think that is too many, or too few dental cleanings? I don't know anyone who has their cats done more often than that - I'd say most people I know only do it once or twice in a cat's lifetime, if they do it at all (not saying this is the right approach.)
I meant a dental cleaning once every six years was too few. With regards to the TCS Article I referred to above there's always a happy medium as to how often a cat needs a dental cleaning. That being said, a lot depends on the condition and overall health of your cat. There are always extenuating circumstances, e.g. if I had waited six years for my present cat to have a dental cleaning, bloodwork and x-rays he would probably not be here now. As long as your cat receives regular annual exams from your vet the subject of dental cleanings/health is something that should be discussed with them. No worries, I didn't take your post as argumentative at all. ☺
 

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My last cat never had a dental complaint until her 13th birthday. Because cats hide their pain, I'll never know how much pain she was in, or for how long. But her remaining years were littered with dental appointments. I don't know if FORLs is preventable through hygiene. But I do know that it was impossible to ignore once it started. All in all, Krista probably had at least six different extraction surgeries including the final one to remove all her remaining teeth and roots. Except for one, where I turned down the long-lasting pain shot thinking I'd pick up the pain schedule from home, the recoveries from all of them were fairly unremarkable. The point? Dental problems may take a lifetime to become urgent. But your bills and the number of times your cats may need to go under may be significantly higher if you wait. You can't cheat/cheap healthcare. You pay now or you pay later. That said, I believe your quoted costs are too high and I would shop around. I believe I paid between $500-$750 per dental including the bloodwork, x-rays, sedation, and the dental itself. Extractions could add another $100 per tooth. If you have a cat with chronic dental issues like FORLs or stomatitis, it makes sense and can actually come out cheaper in the long run to consult with a dental specialist about proactive extractions. If there was one thing I regret with Krista's dental care, it would not be the number of times I took her in, but how many of those could have been prevented with proactive extractions from a dental specialist (rather than a general vet.) If you have to prioritize because of finances, I would have your senior kitty get a dental once a year. The others can probably alternate every other year. So you'll be paying for two dentals a year instead of three. But you'll be making sure the one who is most sensitive to dental problems is seen the most often--hopefully before anything becomes problematic.
 

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Also there are different levels of sedation. Not every dental requires general anesthesia. Some can be performed with more mild sedation and a local nerve block if any extractions are needed.
 
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zoes

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You pay now or you pay later.
My real concern here, I suppose, is I feel like I'm doing both :) I had all my cats' dentals done in what I thought was a responsible manner - before there urgent issues. I guess I had assumed this would buy me a good chunk of time (i.e., more than three years) of not having to worry about dental work again. But, you know what they say about assuming!

I believe your quoted costs are too high and I would shop around.
Those are Canadian prices and in addition to the conversion, vet care is just more expensive here, and even more so in my province. I know many folks who cross the US-Canada border (2hr drive) and save loads of money. A lot of people go across the border to Quebec (30 mins), but I don't find that their fees are cheaper, they just cut corners and offer less care so the total bill is lower. My mom suggested I take one of my cats to her vet in Quebec and it it cost $300 less but they did not provide enough pain meds so I had to take a cab across the border with my miserable cat to get more meds. After extra meds and cab fair, I did save a little but didn't feel it was worth it. My regular vet is just down the street and I have a long history with them, so I don't mind paying a little more to have that history and also close access in an emergency.

It is really the extractions that build up the price isn't it! I had one cat done young and she did not need any extractions, and it cost about $700 instead of $1,100 (plus the standard $300 for pre-surgical bloodwork and x-rays.)

Pro-active extractions is an interesting concept I had not heard of. I will have to ask my vet about this. Realistically, I probably won't be able to afford dental cleanings at the frequency that she would probably need them to not need extractions each time, if that makes sense. I also really would like to avoid doing general anesthetic on her (and I don't think lesser-sedation methods are really done here, though I'll ask my vet that too) more often than is strictly required.
 

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Proactive extractions are recommended for chronic inflammatory (stomatitis) or degenerative dental disease like FORLs. These diseases often are better treated taking all the teeth at once rather than coming back every time she stops eating because her pain has once again exceeded her hunger. Your regular vet will likely not consent to this because it requires the kind of training that dental specialists receive. Cats can do remarkably well without their teeth. But if they are pulled only as needed, this can cause changes in the cat's bite. Complications not related to the extraction procedure itself can arise--lip entrapment or gum ulceration from a tooth scraping or biting into soft tissue when there would normally be an opposing tooth there to stop it from happening. A dental specialist has the knowledge and experience to evaluate the long-term of a chronic condition and the impact of extractions and determine whether a matched/opposing tooth needs to be extracted to prevent issues down the road. One frustratingly stupid reason why I waited so long to see a professional is because my general vets did not have the knowledge or experience to answer whether one would be needed. When they finally did tell me that a dentist would be needed for any remaining work in her mouth, they put us in a very difficult situation. She wasn't eating and vet dentists have notoriously long waiting periods. Through the luck of a wildfire evacuating one dentist's service area, I was able to get Krista in to a dentist in two weeks when most dentists have two to six month waiting periods If I had to wait any longer than two weeks, Krista would need a feeding tube to get her to her appointment. The dentist reviewed the x-rays with me and showed me several places where regular vets made mistakes because they aren't dentists. The total cost was a gut buster. But when I considered all the procedures before it and the fact that she would never need another dental procedure again, it was well worth it. I only wish I took her to the dentist sooner.

I wouldn't concern yourself with a dentist unless your general vet is telling you that your cat has a chronic inflammatory or degenerative disease and that whatever extractions she's recommending likely won't be the last she'll need. And I wouldn't talk to a non-dentist/dental specialist vet about proactive extractions. That's a specialist job!
 
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zoes

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Proactive extractions are recommended for chronic inflammatory (stomatitis) or degenerative dental disease like FORLs. These diseases often are better treated taking all the teeth at once rather than coming back every time she stops eating because her pain has once again exceeded her hunger. Your regular vet will likely not consent to this because it requires the kind of training that dental specialists receive. Cats can do remarkably well without their teeth. But if they are pulled only as needed, this can cause changes in the cat's bite. Complications not related to the extraction procedure itself can arise--lip entrapment or gum ulceration from a tooth scraping or biting into soft tissue when there would normally be an opposing tooth there to stop it from happening. A dental specialist has the knowledge and experience to evaluate the long-term of a chronic condition and the impact of extractions and determine whether a matched/opposing tooth needs to be extracted to prevent issues down the road. One frustratingly stupid reason why I waited so long to see a professional is because my general vets did not have the knowledge or experience to answer whether one would be needed. When they finally did tell me that a dentist would be needed for any remaining work in her mouth, they put us in a very difficult situation. She wasn't eating and vet dentists have notoriously long waiting periods. Through the luck of a wildfire evacuating one dentist's service area, I was able to get Krista in to a dentist in two weeks when most dentists have two to six month waiting periods If I had to wait any longer than two weeks, Krista would need a feeding tube to get her to her appointment. The dentist reviewed the x-rays with me and showed me several places where regular vets made mistakes because they aren't dentists. The total cost was a gut buster. But when I considered all the procedures before it and the fact that she would never need another dental procedure again, it was well worth it. I only wish I took her to the dentist sooner.

I wouldn't concern yourself with a dentist unless your general vet is telling you that your cat has a chronic inflammatory or degenerative disease and that whatever extractions she's recommending likely won't be the last she'll need. And I wouldn't talk to a non-dentist/dental specialist vet about proactive extractions. That's a specialist job!
Wow, that sounds like an ordeal you had with your kitty. I'm glad you got it sorted, sounds like it was well worth it in the end!

I don't believe my cat has any kind of special diagnosis for her mouth, I think it's just the effects of time possibly exacerbated by her chronic upper respiratory issues. She has no pressing issues currently and no eating/behavioural changes - just the usual array of tartar and gingivigits (to my eye it doesn't look alarming - I can see it, but it's not angry red-looking), and she did mention some some resorption but she didn't say anything about it specifically as being severe or chronic.

Anyway, I sent my vet an email expressing my worries about ongoing frequent GA dental work to see if she had any ideas. My main goal here would just be to buy more time between procedures while facing the likely fact that I'll probably never conquer daily brushing.
 

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Hi all! I'm looking for some insight into dental issues in cats - by which I mean the gingivitis, resorption, and tartar build-up that is treated with a dental cleaning and extractions.

I had all three of my cats' dentals done in the past 4 years. One of them went to the vet yesterday and she is due again (it's been 3 years and one month since her last one) and I was honestly a little surprised. She didn't have her first dental until she was 11 years old and the vet didn't seem to think she really needed one before that point - or at least, she didn't really push it - and now three years on, she seems already well overdue.

I've had vets not bring up dentals at all, I've had vets mentioned it offhand, and vets treat it like it's causing immense suffering and she needs it done immediately.

I also know many people who have never had their cats undergo dental cleanings, and their cats seem perfectly fine. If their cats have sore mouths, they don't appear to be very sore (not that I want them to be sore at all.) One of my cats' pain meds wore off too soon after her dental extractions and you could really tell - she looked miserable and refused to eat until I brought her back to the vet and they gave her another shot.

I'm not looking for permission to not address my cats' oral health, I guess I'm just looking for some clarity on how others feel about this and how they think their cats feel about it.

Getting all three of my cats done every three years probably isn't financial feasible for me longterm, as it works out to about $1,500 per cat per dental with pre-testing and x-rays. Also, my cats are getting up in years, and there's a point at which I'll not want to put them through surgery and dental extraction, general anesthetic risk, or put myself through the financial toll. But I don't know where that point is. My older cats are 15+ and could live another 5 years - or another 6 months.

And yes I do try to brush their teeth, but I fail at doing it often enough to make much of a difference. The one with the worst mouth also needs three oral medications daily and I really feel bad about getting into her face for yet another thing. One cat HATES it and will fight me on it. The third is pretty ok with it but then I'll forget for two weeks straight - but she'll chew up and eat raw bones, so I'm hoping that helps.

Anyway, sorry for long post. I guess I'm either looking for validation that doing all these dentals is well worth the money for my cats' health and comfort, OR for rationale that will let me have fewer dentals done knowing my cats aren't suffering in the interim.
I sympathize with you! It looks as if vets have suddenly found a way to make a lot more money quickly! And if we don't do as they say, we are making our cats suffer!

I have been around a long time, have had many cats and been to about 10 different vets. In my small town, there is only one vet where really modern dental surgery is performed on cats and dogs. Treatment means at least 3 vet visits. The animals treated each receive a dental pass so you know exactly how many teeth your cat still possesses. The vet charges a fortune and I have the impression that he sees every patient, brought into his surgery for whatever reason, as a potential customer primarily for his skills as cat-dentist.

There are 5 or 6 other vets in the neighborhood. They also do dental work when they think it's necessary. Maybe it's old-fashioned, but, when a cat comes in for a check-up, teeth and gums are inspected as a matter of course. None of my cats has been treated by the local "specialist" but many have had extractions and general cleaning done at other surgeries. Most of Katy's teeth had to be removed when she was very young (FORL) but the vet left her incisors. (Meanwhile one of these was knocked out in a road accident). Five years later and she still hasn't needed further dental treatment. Although the specialist does a lot of advertising for his skills, I am perfectly happy with my normal vet and not only because she is cheaper. She always makes sure I have more than enough painkillers, and has even removed a tooth spontaneously while the cat was anesthetized for another simple op. That would never happen at the "specialist" and painkillers are only sold there in very small quantities and at ridiculous prices!

I trust my vet. If my cat will benefit from specialist dental treatment, I am sure she will tell me so and help me find the the most suitable clinic.

Not sure whether to post this or not. Well, no-one is forced to read it! Good luck with your decision and good health to your cats!
 

stephanie42

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I know there has already been a lot of information shared, but I wanted to share my experience too. The three cats I currently have are 16.5, 15, and 10. Only the 16.5 year old, Piglet, has had any dental stuff. Around 9 years old, Piglet seemed to lose interest in eating and I started poking at her mouth. One of her canines quite clearly had an issue - it looked like there was an actual cut ON the tooth! I did a bit of research and suspected FORL. Getting that diagnosis and Piglet's treatment is a WHOLE other story, but the short version is they pulled all four canines and noted that two other teeth had already been resorbed. About four years later, Piglet's bloodwork showed something about a cardiac issue - after an echo and full exam, my cat vet noted additional teeth had been resorbed and recommended taking the rest of Piglet's teeth out proactively. He did not recommend cleaning because once a tooth is resorbed with FORL, it's very likely more will be resorbed. So Piglet has only had a few of those tiny front teeth for almost five years now - no canines, no molars, nothing else.

I guess what I'm saying is that if there is already evidence that teeth have been resorbed due to FORL, it may be more worthwhile to consider pulling the teeth. Cleaning them might help some issues, but isn't going to stop or slow FORL. Additionally, the older cats get, the riskier putting them under anesthesia is. If my cats weren't showing any symptoms of pain or having trouble eating, I wouldn't risk putting any of them (10, 15, 16.5) under anesthesia for a dental. That's just me.

Also - good for you getting them to eat raw like that! Only one of mine was ever interested in organs or bones. Brushing a cat's teeth is a special experience... I've put a bit of enzymatic cat toothpaste on a piece of gauze around my fingertip and just tried to smear it around on their teeth. It might be easier than trying to actually 'brush' their teeth.
 
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