Shelter cat is broken and super depressed

[VAMama]

I'm baffled by what the dentist told me regarding food. Dentist said to avoid all soft food that is mushy because it can stick to the wounds. Says Cosette can learn to swallow whole chunks of dry food. I've given Cosette some chunks taken from canned food. She hates it. She's barely eating. Meanwhile I looked online about feline dental surgery, and all the websites say you should give soft wet food. I'm really confused.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

I'm baffled by what the dentist told me regarding food. Dentist said to avoid all soft food that is mushy because it can stick to the wounds. Says Cosette can learn to swallow whole chunks of dry food. I've given Cosette some chunks taken from canned food. She hates it. She's barely eating. Meanwhile I looked online about feline dental surgery, and all the websites say you should give soft wet food. I'm really confused.

Well that makes two of us!
When my mother lived with us her cat had 5 teeth extractions. She had three teeth left after that. They said soft food only. When my cats got teeth removed it was soft food only. So don't know the reasoning here. I was told if you want to feed hard food wait until everything is done healing. Did they write that on her discharge paperwork?

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

Well that makes two of us!
When my mother lived with us her cat had 5 teeth extractions. She had three teeth left after that. They said soft food only. When my cats got teeth removed it was soft food only. So don't know the reasoning here. I was told if you want to feed hard food wait until everything is done healing. Did they write that on her discharge paperwork?

I did mean wet food here!

 

[VAMama]

The dentist spoke to me with instructions for several minutes after. She repeatedly said no food like pate. The harder the better, so Cosette will be encouraged to swallow it whole. I remember thinking it was odd.

 

[Margot Lane]

Did she maybe mean “just until the wounds heal?“

 

[VAMama]

Yes it's the post-op recovery process. I checked her papers again and it does indeed say dry food.

 

[IndyJones]

I'm baffled by what the dentist told me regarding food. Dentist said to avoid all soft food that is mushy because it can stick to the wounds. Says Cosette can learn to swallow whole chunks of dry food. I've given Cosette some chunks taken from canned food. She hates it. She's barely eating. Meanwhile I looked online about feline dental surgery, and all the websites say you should give soft wet food. I'm really confused.

The dentist spoke to me with instructions for several minutes after. She repeatedly said no food like pate. The harder the better, so Cosette will be encouraged to swallow it whole. I remember thinking it was odd.

That completly is the opposite of what my vet said to do when my old cats tooth was extraced along with a portion of her jaw (infection that spread)

My vet told me to put water on her pate food so it was like a smoothie.

Not sure why your vet is telling you this, sounds like a good way to get food loged in a dry socket.

 

[VAMama]

Cosette has eaten about 50 calories in two days. Tonight I'm going to make her a nice big soup. My instinct tells me I need to.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

That completly is the opposite of what my vet said to do when my old cats tooth was extraced along with a portion of her jaw (infection that spread)

My vet told me to put water on her pate food so it was like a smoothie.

Not sure why your vet is telling you this, sounds like a good way to get food loged in a dry socket.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

Cosette has eaten about 50 calories in two days. Tonight I'm going to make her a nice big soup. My instinct tells me I need to.

You could call tomorrow to double check / clarify. Never been told that.If it was my cat , I would want that nice big soup you mentioned . The girl has to eat. You are the best thing that has happened to her.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

I forget ..... was she given an antibiotic to take home? Mine ( especially with a lot of extractions) are given a short period of antibiotics and pain med.

 

[VAMama]

No they gave her long lasting meds in the IV. Nothing sent home.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

No they gave her long lasting meds in the IV. Nothing sent home.

Okay ,I was just thinking if he was concerned about infection and did not give antibiotics. So maybe IV had those? Still never had or heard of anyone being told to give a cat the hardest food they can after extractions. Sounds painful for the cat. They might swallow it whole ,then again they might try to chew it. OUCH! My cat and I still want the soup.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

If you call their office maybe ask for someone else to explain it because ....... I cannot get my brain around it . You could also tell then the trouble she had when you fed her earlier. Hope all go well tonight. Keep us posted

 

[artiemom]

I'm baffled by what the dentist told me regarding food. Dentist said to avoid all soft food that is mushy because it can stick to the wounds. Says Cosette can learn to swallow whole chunks of dry food. I've given Cosette some chunks taken from canned food. She hates it. She's barely eating. Meanwhile I looked online about feline dental surgery, and all the websites say you should give soft wet food. I'm really confused.

I am confused, also. When Artie and then Geoffrey had tooth extractions; the instructions were clear. NO Dry food for at least several days, if not a week or so.

Can you try giving Cosette some wet food, but add water to the bowl. Yes, kind of make it a stew/soupy... This way she can just lap it up..

 

[VAMama]

The logic is to minimize all chewing and motivate her to swallow whole kibble. When she's "good and hungry" she'll figure it out. Sorry no. Cosette is not a "good and hungry" kind of cat. Oh you can give her a tiny bit of soup as a "treat" while keep pushing kibble. Forget it my baby's getting soup. Her personality is not a good fit for this plan.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

Once you get her through this you may need a new vet. I do not know if your vet is the same as the person who did the dental.I think after all these years I have pretty good instincts.When in doubt I trust my gut. You sound the same.Please keep posting on how she is doing.

 

[Alldara]

I'm baffled by what the dentist told me regarding food. Dentist said to avoid all soft food that is mushy because it can stick to the wounds. Says Cosette can learn to swallow whole chunks of dry food. I've given Cosette some chunks taken from canned food. She hates it. She's barely eating. Meanwhile I looked online about feline dental surgery, and all the websites say you should give soft wet food. I'm really confused.

When Nobel had extractions I had to have him on wet food for days. He was a miserable dry food addict about it.

 

[Caspers Human]

Vet's instructions are all well and good but, sometimes, you've got to feed what a cat will eat.

It's going on three days since she was at the vet. Right?
I think that's plenty of time for her mouth to start healing enough that she can eat.

If she likes to eat soup, like you say, I'd feed her that.

 

[VAMama]

Yes she came home Monday afternoon. She gobbled a whole big can of soupy food last night. She's going back next week for 10 day check.