To dental or not to dental? That is the question!

[mjl1297]

After reading Nic's thread about Eddie and remembering Lighty's vet saying that she was due for a cleaning before the end of the year, I realised that I am going to have to confront whether or not I go through with this or not. Not too many years ago this wasn't a standard procedure and many cats lived long lives and I question its value in light of the attendant risks. Lighty's a Birman and that breed doesn't react well to sedation I'm given to understand. I just question whether or not it is worth the risk in the long run since it is possible to lose your cat on the table.

Any thoughts on this?

[JanH]

I accept that poor dental health is a risk to general health. However, we also are reluctant to have dental work unless there is a serious dental problem. Since we are neutering breeding cats at older ages, we usually will have dental work done then, but have to see persistent inflammation or bad teeth to agree to dental work under sedation. I think we are more cautious than the facts justify, but ...

[Paulagene]

My Wylee has to have it done in a couple weeks but it is needed or he will be in for alot of health issues. He inheirted gum or teeth problems from either his Mom or Dad and it will only get worse. So being scared I have to do it as Wylee is just going to be 2 and he is a domestic cat given to me. I wish I knew the answer. If my cat was older I would have said No but since he is young with teeth of a 7 yr old who does not eat wet food except for once a week as a treat on Sunday and so that is not the cause. It is a hard decision and one that does need to be addressed with your vet maybe. Let me know how it goes. Wylee goes the 11th and I am scared only because last time with Sebastian he has surgery they had to put him down which is not related I know. I did not worry about Zeke and Mykah getting desexed but this one I am concerned. Enough.

I am sure you will make the best decision for your pet.

[Coral]

Hi Mark,

Dentals in Alberta (Canada) seem to be fairly routine, where vets actively encourage pet owners to have them done on a yearly basis. I'm not saying that's right, but it seems to be the way. Teddy has calicivirus, which has attacked his gums and teeth (referred to as stomatitis), so he'll likely have another dental in a few months and I won't be surprised if they want to remove the rest of his premolars and molars (I know, not nice). Teddy also has a heart murmur, so they're aware of that and adjust the anesthetic because of the greater risk.

You might want to talk to your vet about your concerns with Lighty and see if they can give her anesthetic for a senior cat or cat with a condition like Teddy's. Hope that helps.

Coral

[Chrysee]

There would need to be a severe and immediate reason that my cats would need dental work before I would willingly put them under general sedation for it. Perhaps I am overly cautious like Jan, but I have had a kitten die from anesthesia complications during very routine surgery (spay). I feed them well and check their teeth often and am trying to slowly get them to put up with having their teeth brushed instead.

[mjl1297]

Like Jan and most of the rest of you, I'm cautious to the point of paranoia when it comes to dental cleanings and the sedation they necessarily entail. I trust my vet but I've heard too many horror stories about people losing their cats whilst under sedation for a dental and I remember all too well how it affected Snowman. He was groggy for almost 24 hours after the procedure and it was all I could do to keep him grounded so he wouldn't hurt himself trying to jump from one piece of furniture to the next. I eventually had to put him back in his carrier.

Lighty was showing a bit of inflammation above one of her rear molars when I had then in for their wellness check before I went to Europe a few weeks ago and that is what has sparked this discussion.

I feed them well and I'm wondering if some of the dental chews might be a decent alternative.

[JanH]

Perhaps a course of antibiotics will be something to try for the inflammation. However, that kind of complication is one that indicates the wisdom of considering a cleaning - and sometimes they find bad teeth at that time.

[mjl1297]

I think I will ask about the antibiotics. The dental I just don't know about. She isn't having any trouble eating...or gnawing!