What Should I Do With A 16 Year Old Cat That Lost A Tooth?

[naiaraz]

Hi, guys.

A few years ago we had to remove a kidney from Penelope because of an obstruction of the ureter and the state the kidney was in when she became symptomatic. It was an emergency surgery.

The other kidney adapted well and she is not a cat with kidney failure per se, but always with slightly altered blood tests. Anyway, what happened was that today she lost a canine tooth and the vet said (via phone, I haven't taken her there yet) that she would need to be anesthetized for a specialist to take a look and do any necessary procedure. She also said that they would take her blood to check up on her whole situation. Ps: she has arthrosis too (being medicated) and is 16 years old.

Has anyone had a similar situation? We are a little afraid that she has to go through a procedure with just one kidney at this age. Any ideas? I'm very worried and lost. I wonder with the risks are greater than the benefits at this point.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MissClouseau]

Do you trust this vet? If you do, it's the best for the vet who examines her and does tests to do a risk and pros-cons calculation.

With that said, if she doesn't look in pain and there is no big problem about using antibiotics, in these circumstances I would probably lean more to not getting anything done and see how it goes.

 

[naiaraz]

Hello, I really trust her vet. I just talked to her by phone again now. The thing is she wants to do the procedure, get blood samples, etc all at once without checking if she if her creat is below 4, etc. before giving her the anesthesics. Because she knows how hard it is to take a blood sample from her. She assured me they would be really careful with her during the whole process because of the one kidney and her history..but it is hard to accept it when she is just fine at home. I know it will be better to take care of her oral issues in the long run...but I really don't want any of the possible complications of such a thing to an old cat.. argh, hard to decide!

 

[MissClouseau]

The thing is she wants to do the procedure, get blood samples, etc all at once without checking if she if her creat is below 4, etc.

You can certainly ask for more tests to decide if you want to go with the operation or not. Oral problems can be painful, obviously, but I don't think you have to decide in a matter of days. Like, it's not an emergency, is it?

 

[naiaraz]

I totally agree with you, the ideal scenario is that we would take her blood samples first and would to the tests needed to check her current state. The thing is during her all like it's been a pain to do that and most clinics and vets simpy cannot do it. And it is always terribly stressful to her. And that happened in more than 10 different clinics, including some that only work with cats. The last times it was done to her was when she got sedated and because it was really needed. Once I even had to bring her home with a catheter in and I needed to take it out at home by myself. It was a nightmare. That's why we always limited her trips to the vet and that's why the vet said it would be better for her to do all at once.