Teeth Cleaning - Cost

[darg]

Just had my 12 year old cat in for a 6 month check. Vet didn't think bloodwork was necessary as far as the check-up was concerned but did suggest he have his teeth cleaned in which case the bloodwork would have to be done anyway because of his age. So, we went ahead with the bloodwork. Tartar build-up isn't too bad but his gums are pretty red in the back so I'm thinking I should go ahead with the dental, especially considering I already paid for the bloodwork during this visit. Anesthesia worries me a bit at his age but it kind of needs to be done I think.

At any rate, I'm curious about a couple of things ...

First, how much of a risk is there from the anesthesia with an older (12 years) cat? Is it worth the risk?

Second, I'm curious what others are paying. Aside from the bloowork, the vet said that the cost was somewhere between $200 - $300, depending on the anesthesia. That seems pretty reasonable but I really don't know as I haven't had a cleaning done aside from when he had a cyst removed 5 years ago. They did the cleaning when he was under for the cyst.

Bloodwork will be back on Monday and if it's OK, I have about 2 weeks to decide and schedule the cleaning.

 

[EmersonandEvie]

I can't comment on the older cat anesthesia question, but Evie (3, no health issues) had her teeth cleaned earlier this year and her total cost was $265.

 

[ailish]

I just got quoted $600 at the low end for teeth cleaning including everything except possible extractions, which superficially there was no indication of a need for. I thought I got off easy because I was hearing people pay $1000+.

I was a little surprised at the need for this, my cat is 4 years, but her teeth are almost black. Not her fangs, which look perfect, but the ones behind the fronts. This was described as mild to moderate tartar build-up, so I hate to see it when it's serious!

 

[denice]

The cost of a dental ranges widely depending on the area where you live. From what I have seen here I live in an area where they are more expensive. You should be given a written estimate. They usually will include one or two extractions in the estimate even though they don't see any that need to be pulled. They can get a much better look under anesthetic and will often do xrays to check below the gums.

My Alice had a dental when she was fourteen and the blood work showed that she was in the early stages of CKD. She came through fine. There is always some risk with anesthesia but with the blood work done first the risk is very low. With Alice because of the beginnings of CKD they started her on fluids sooner then usual to mitigate the increased risk that comes with kidneys that aren't fully functioning.

 

[darg]

They are supposed to send me an estimate early next week, after bloowork comes back. His back teeth are tannish with tartar, not terrible looking but the gum line is pretty red at those back teeth.

I have a little time to make a decision and get it scheduled. Guess I'll think on it after the estimate, assuming his bloodwork still looks ok. But, it sounds like the price is reasonable at least. I'd like to get it done before he gets any older but the anesthesia makes me real nervous.

He had a bad reaction to the rabies vaccine they gave him a few years back but they forced me to have it done at his last surgery. I already spoke to him about that today and while he urged me to allow the vaccine he said that he wouldn't force it, even if I go ahead with the surgery. So, at least I don't have to worry about that.

 

[neely]

They can get a much better look under anesthetic and will often do xrays to check below the gums.

I agree it's very important for them to include x-rays.

Anesthesia worries me a bit at his age but it kind of needs to be done I think.

Is the cat in your avatar the one who will be getting a dental? The reason I asked is because he looks like a Persian. If so, I would be more concerned about the type of anesthesia your vet will use since Persians are a Brachycephalic breed. We have had three Persians, (the present guy is our 3rd), and I always discuss this with our vet prior to any anesthesia procedure.

 

[darg]

neely ... Yes, he's a Himi. What method of anesthesia should I be asking about or insisting upon?

Thanks

 

[neely]

What method of anesthesia should I be asking about or insisting upon? Thanks

First, you should talk with your vet prior to the procedure and discuss the preferred type of anesthesia with them. We had a bad experience with our first Persian when they used Ketamine which is why I did my research and learned about the different types of anesthesia for Brachycephalic breeds. Fortunately from that time on we request Isoflurane and something else which escapes me right now but I will try to look it up. We have never had a problem since then and our preferred method of anesthesia is in our cat's chart. BTW, we also see a veterinary dental specialist at a feline only practice now which I think is helpful but that is not a necessity.

Second, the most important thing is to make an informed decision before rather than after the dental procedure. Definitely talk with your vet and if you trust his/her opinion then follow their advice. Best of luck. (Now I'm going to check and see if I can find my notes regarding what to use with Isoflurane.)

 

[daftcat75]

Isoflurane is what my 15 year old gets. Her last vet (the Dr moved to another office) would always reassure me every time that Isoflurane is a gentle anesthesia appropriate for a cat her age. Sometimes they had to gas her just to draw blood because she can be a wild one at the vet. This is anecdotal. Definitely discuss this with your vet.

Also, I see an old estimate for one of of Krista’s dentals last year. It was $275 for the cleaning package including anesthesia and x-rays. But then the bill doubled when they added IV fluids, a couple of extractions, a couple of injections (painkiller and anti-emetic), and a couple of prescriptions (antibiotic and painkillers for a few days following the extractions.). The total bill for that was $750. That’s one of the cheaper dentals she’s had.

But dental work in my cat has always been worth it at any price. It only gets more expensive if the cat stops eating because of a neglected dental issue. I can tell you that from experience.

 

[darg]

First, you should talk with your vet prior to the procedure and discuss the preferred type of anesthesia with them. We had a bad experience with our first Persian when they used Ketamine which is why I did my research and learned about the different types of anesthesia for Brachycephalic breeds. Fortunately from that time on we request Isoflurane and something else which escapes me right now but I will try to look it up. We have never had a problem since then and our preferred method of anesthesia is in our cat's chart. BTW, we also see a veterinary dental specialist at a feline only practice now which I think is helpful but that is not a necessity.

Second, the most important thing is to make an informed decision before rather than after the dental procedure. Definitely talk with your vet and if you trust his/her opinion then follow their advice. Best of luck. (Now I'm going to check and see if I can find my notes regarding what to use with Isoflurane.)

Thanks for the info!! Will definitely discuss with the vet.

Were still going to the same office but I am seeing a different vet the past 6 months. I never see our original vet any longer. I believe she's mostly focused on surgery. She's the one who did the surgery 5 years ago for a cyst removal and a dental. I know she's a good vet but I never was thrilled with her "bedside" manner. Still not 100% sold on the new vet which may be a problem in and of itself. He does have 20 years of experience and seems very competent but we haven't seen him enough times to form a definitive opinion. Much better "bedside" manner though.

I have a lot to consider. Thanks again for the info.

 

[FetchingCat]

I live in an expensive area. I've been quoted several hundred. The high end was 1k!
I ended up getting the Banfield plan at Petsmart. The plan with the dental is about 30 dollars a month, so if u do a teeth cleaning it pays for itself. GL!

 

[neely]

Thanks for the info!! Will definitely discuss with the vet. I have a lot to consider.

I found the article I was referring to!
Here it is: Stedam American Shorthairs

Plus a thread I started back in 2009 about this subject:
Question - anesthesia for persians?

 

[darg]

neely , thanks for the info. Very helpful.

Just an update. Got the bloodwork back. It's ok. Spoke with the vet about anesthesia and got an estimate for the cleaning. It is $430. Well above what the vet ballpaked but this is after some added costs for the anesthesia and IV. But after the bloodwork that he's already had it would come out to around $600. Not sure I can swing it this month. We'll see.

Thanks to all who helped with the anesthesia stuff. Especially neely. I really appreciate it.

 

[darg]

Just wanted to update for anyone interested.

We decided not to have the cleaning done on our 12 year old cat.

He has nystagmus and always has had it. Vet has always believed that he has some neurological issues but nothing too extreme and nothing that's needed treatment. To state things simply, he's just been a strange and very moody cat. Affectionately, I refer to him as a psychopath.

At any rate, he suffered what the vet believed to be a seizure and then had a few more mild ones over the period of a few months several years back, in 2014. These mild "seizures" occurred when he was trying to bring up hairballs. To me, they looked more like he just passed out for, literally, just a few seconds. Only the first one showed anything more than that for a longer period of time. But the vet checked his heart and felt it was a seizure. They stopped with no meds and he hasn't had one in close to 5 years. But in doing some back checking, the first "seizure" occurred shortly after he had surgery to remove a cyst in 2014.

My wife has a sixth sense and she just had a very bad feeling about the prospect of him going under anesthesia. This prompted me to check his records and remember the "seizures" occurring right after his 2014 surgery. The vet claims that it wasnt related but I'm having a hard time with dismissing the link from a common sense perspective. I could be totally wrong but with them occurring right after surgery and then stopping on their own I have to go with my gut so we decided to hold off on the teeth cleaning. At least for now.

I plan to consult another veterinarian to get their opinion on the matter. We could be way off base and it could just have been a coincidence. But, but both my wife and myself have a real bad feeling about it right now.

I'm open to anyone who wants to tell me I'm crazy. I'm fine with that. But I really just wanted to update the thread.

Thanks all.

 

[ailish]

To answer your first question, I just had Ailish's teeth cleaned and with no extractions it came to $600 and change. This is a fairly expensive area and that includes all safety procedures like pre-anesthesia blood test, etc., so I I'm not too unhappy with that.

I get your concern about the seizures. However, you might want to consider that if your cat gets gum disease and ends up needing teeth extracted due to pain you are looking at anesthesia anyway, only under more serious conditions. I don't know, I'm not a vet. I think the second opinion is the best idea.

 

[JamesCalifornia]

~ I had dental done on an old cat - about 17 y/o . Best thing I did for her !