Post tooth extraction opinion please

[cejhome]

Hello, Our kitty, Buddy had one canine and 4 other small teeth extracted on September 8th. He had dissolvable stitches. He has done very well. He eats fine (including his dry crunchy treats), plays normally, grooms, wants plenty of attention and love, breath is fine. He doesn't shy away from using his mouth on his soft toys or dry treats or anything. I woke up this morning to him grooming my arms, and he was very, very helpful this morning while I getting ready for work. Brushing my teeth can be a challenge!

However, it seems like he still has thread/threads that have not dissolved or broken off that is bothering him at times. I know from my experience with dissolvable stitches (not in mouth), that even though "they" say they dissolve in short order, some do not, and they eventually push out and then they either break off, or I had to remove them with tweezers (they weren't attached, they came right out). I had some that didn't dissolve that eventually pushed out and then I could pluck out the bits with tweezers - this took months.

Imagine having a bit of dental floss stuck in your mouth - he's kind of doing that sort of mouth movement. He is not smacking, he's not nauseous.

I don't want to take him to the vet until/unless its needed. They would have to sedate him to get in there and closely examine things and remove any thread remnants. I will be emailing them today to ask them what they think, but it will probably be the standard "if you would like us to take a look, please bring him in".

What do y'all think? Let it go a bit longer, or go ahead and take him in?

 

[mani]

Both of my cats have had multiple teeth removed. I do remember the last time (this year) that Sundar had teeth removed, he constantly moved his head around and did odd things with his jaw and mouth. The vet said he was 'getting used to his new mouth'. It settled down after a couple of weeks.
But if you're concerned, how about just ringing the vet to ask if the stitches are the issue?

 

[cejhome]

Thanks I appreciate that. It also might be the getting used to not having those 5 teeth. I forgot about that! I like our vet a lot, but calling them will just result in them saying "we can take a look if you would like, just bring him in". Since his behavior and everything is great, I will wait a bit longer.

 

[cejhome]

Update! I took Buddy to see the dental specialist at our vet's practice today. He was still doing the thing like a person with food stuck in their teeth would do if they couldn't pick at it with their hands. Everything else in his behavior and actions was and is 100% normal. She is great - didn't have to sedate him. He lets her handle him with no problem.

She actually examined his mouth 3 times. 2nd time she ran her fingers all over the surgery sites and looked up under his lips. Nothing. 3rd time she did it with a cotton swab. Same - nothing. She did mention that those little remaining bids of dissolvable stitches can take months to pop out. She said the ones they use there for oral surgery are purple, but do fade to clear over time.

She said not to worry about it unless it gets worse, or there are any changes in his behavior.

Neat part - they still consider this exam as part of the whole tooth extraction quote (Sept 8th). No charge for the visit!

 

[Furballsmom]

Thank you for a terrific update