Serious Pet Question

I know this topic is going to sound silly .. but I have to ask .. and I'm asking as a concerned pet owner .. so it is serious to me ..

Our kitty's current vet informed us that our boy really needs to have his teeth cleaned. However, I am extremely hesitant to do this because he would need to be given anesthesia .. and very early on his former vet (who has since left to be a mommy - but was a totally awesome vet) told us our boy going under anesthesia is particularly risky for him because of his history with asthma.

Okay, here's a bit of funny .. when I do try to brush his teeth .. he eats the toothpaste .. it's chicken flavor .. so part of the battle is trying to get him to stop eating it!

But seriously .. what would you do???

He will be 7 in January.

Re: Serious Pet Question

What is your current Vet's opinion on your kitty having amnesia?

I wonder if this is something an animal groomer can handle. And I think there are snacks that help remove tartar from your cat's teeth.

Re: Serious Pet Question

It's dependant on you, but if you go through with it I would make your vet sign a wavier.
I used to work at a vet and we did it all time and believe me your cat will be pissed when she gets home.
Have you looked into CDent and tried brush your cats teeth.
I look at it this way, he spent alot of money on that machine he needs to make it back and numerous amounts of cats have survived without the procedure!
I would look up www.petedge.com and call them and ask for what products they recommend for DIY treatment. They are an amazing company that most vets get their products from. Also, you can get amazing deals on treats with them as well as toys!

Is your vet located in S. Huntingtion? I have some issues with a Vet in that area that seems to do procedures he doesn't have too.

FM mail me and keep me posted.

Re: Serious Pet Question

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Posted by ChristineC68

What is your current Vet's opinion on your kitty having amnesia? ...

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Kitty doesn't have amnesia .. he has asthma! You know .. the respiratory problem.


He said kitty sounds good .. and checked with us about how we're maintaining it .. and how we're medicating him.

At last year's exam .. he mentioned teeth cleaning .. and when I mentioned our concerns, he said to brush. In the meantime, his regular food has been improved for tartar control, so that's covered.

This year, Mr. Vet didn't seem to be as flexible with the teeth cleaning .. making it sound like it really needs to be done.

It just really worries me, though ... I'm afraid to subject him to this .. especially since he's not a good patient at all!! Which could induce an asthma attack. We once had the Emergency Hospital he was at call us to take him out, because he just couldn't settle down .. which is horrible for asthmatics.

Re: Serious Pet Question

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Posted by 070502

... Have you looked into CDent and tried brush your cats teeth. ... Is your vet located in S. Huntingtion? ...

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What is CDent??? And yes, I do try to brush his teeth .. he makes it difficult because he loves the toothpaste (chicken flavor) and tries to eat it instead of just letting me brush his teeth.

No, this vet is not in S. Huntington.

Re: Serious Pet Question

my vet has told me recently that our dog needs a cleaning...and conveniently she is having a teeth cleaning special in January...mind you she said in June that his teeth looked great...


so part I think is sales...


you can do the teeth yourself...but you really do have to keep up with the brushing...


I give my cat tartar control snacks and treats...and she has never had teeth problems...

Re: Serious Pet Question

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Posted by Kel

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Posted by ChristineC68

What is your current Vet's opinion on your kitty having amnesia? ...

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Kitty doesn't have amnesia .. he has asthma! You know .. the respiratory problem.

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I was trying to say anesthesia.

Re: Serious Pet Question

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Posted by ChristineC68

What is your current Vet's opinion on your kitty having amnesia?
.

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Re: Serious Pet Question

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Posted by ChristineC68

What is your current Vet's opinion on your kitty having amnesia?

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Sorry Christine!! This gave me a major chuckle too!!!

My dog could really use a professional teeth cleaning (not me with a finger brush or special treats). She's 12 and her breath has become horrific as she's aged. But I am very afraid of her having 'amnesia' (LOL!!). The worst thing could happen and it would be all my fault because I thought her breath was stinky!!!

Re: Serious Pet Question

I would DEFINITELY NOT get the cat's teeth cleaned if she has any health problem. I had my one cat done b/c she was healthy but I never got my other cat done bc she had a heart murmur. My vet said he would NEVER do it on any pet with a known health problem. It can kill your cat. Please dont do it.

I don't understand the comment about a vet signing a waiver...what are they saying that they know the cat has a health problem but will perform the procedure anyway? I must be misunderstanding...

Re: Serious Pet Question

Bump

Any other thoughts from all the other pet owners out there???

I'd really like to hear everyone's thoughts.

Re: Serious Pet Question

My FI is on the phone right now, but I'm going to ask him what he thinks (he's a vet, but everyone knows that already
)

Re: Serious Pet Question

It's dependant on how bad your cat's teeth are...if his teeth are really bad, then he should get them cleaned, otherwise he can develop cardiac, renal, and liver problems all stemming from the bacteria present in the mouth. These are all progressiv diseases if the bacteria is not removed.

SO, if the teeth ARE REALLY BAD, the safest choice is prevention, which is dry food only. THere are special diets that are dental diets. If you are going to choose to do the dental cleaning, make sure that the safest techniques are used by veternarian, which are pre-anesthetic blood work, intravenous fluids, isofluorane anesthesia (which is the safest).

Usually asthma is not a problem with surgery...however, if a problem does arise, medications can be used to control the asthma. You should ask your veternarian what is the proper course of action for his best safety.

070502, True veternary medicine is not about the all mighty dollar, it is based on honesty, integrity and utilizing modern veternary knowledge to benefit the health and well being of all animals.

Good luck with your cat and please let me know how he does either way.

(Do you want me to ask my FI about the toothpaste? He just got back on the phone, so it might be a while
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Re: Serious Pet Question

Thank you! Thank you! for going into such great detail!! ... I actually didn't know your FI is a vet!

Our boy is already strickly on dry food .. simply because at one time we thought there may have been a connection to his asthma and wet food. Of course, that doesn't mean he doesn't get table scraps! .. But he is eating Iams Original (dry) .. which is now formulated with Tartar Control.

Okay .. if you don't mind a couple more questions .. how often should his teeth be brushed?? .. if his teeth are REALLY, REALLY BAD ... can regular brushing now be effective in preventing the potential dangers to his health?? .. How can I tell if his teeth are REALLY, REALLY BAD???

Sorry for all the questions .. but I'm just really afraid to subject him to this kind of procedure .. but at the same time .. I'd hate for him to develop something because he didn't have it done.

Re: Serious Pet Question

I'll FM you later tonight or tomorrow hopefully with some answers

Re: Serious Pet Question

FM Kel