Pet Care Question.

[Warrior Spirit]

Don't open his mouth when you do it. Just raise his lips with his mouth shut.

 

[JLeigh34]

Don't open his mouth when you do it. Just raise his lips with his mouth shut.

Yes, this is not an option lol. She's 5 months old and still very chompy so it's a struggle.


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[Warrior Spirit]

Yes, this is not an option lol. She's 5 months old and still very chompy so it's a struggle.


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Wouldn't be a problem for me. My dog respects me and knows I am the pack leader.

 

[JLeigh34]

We're still working on that. She's working with two trainers and myself. I've never had such a headstrong dog in my life.


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[Warrior Spirit]

We're still working on that. She's working with two trainers and myself. I've never had such a headstrong dog in my life.


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2 trainers? Are you crazy? Oops, forget I asked.

 

[JLeigh34]

Haha I just want a well behaved doggie. When you have a breed that people are scared of, you don't want them to be some out of control whackadoo.


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[Warrior Spirit]

I fear no dog. He must be trained with a firm hand and given corrections at the right time. Can't be weak and timid. No good leader is weak and timid.

 

[Sunbiz1]

I am in a similar situation, except they want to charge around $600 for a 15 year old cat. He has gingivitis around the gum line, so this would entail a cleaning, X-rays to determine possible extraction, and of course the anesthesia. Like you I have doubts and am looking at a second opinion. True, dental issues (in humans as well) are a racket sometimes. They pestered me for YEARS about my wisdom teeth. Never problem with them OR a cavity. One of the few things I won the genetic lottery on I suppose. One of the doctors I work with was getting harassed by his dentist about his wisdom teeth, because they "might" become a problem. His told the dentist, "well, if you let me take out your prostate, I'll let you take out my wisdom teeth. Because, you know, your prostate MIGHT become a problem someday." It was never brought up again.

Some things to consider:

- I had a put down an older animal because he stopped eating due to a tooth issue. Lost a bunch of weight before I figured out what was going on, and by then it was too late. Still feel bad to this day for neglecting something I could have prevented.

- Older the cat, higher the chance of anesthesia complications and/or death. May want to get this done now rather than when he's 15.

- Did they bring this up as a routine maintenance? Or were there signs of other issues like gingivitis? What is his overall health and demeanor like? Any past health issues?

- What is your impression of the veterinarian? Satisfied with your level of care? Do they take the time to address issues properly or herd you through just to ring you up?

- Animals won't tell you about pain. By the time you notice something, chances are it has advanced.

- Hard food helps to a certain extent. My cat ate hard food his whole life up until the last few years and he still has gum problems. Even the Science Diet dental nuggets can only do so much.

If I were were, I would strongly consider just getting this done. It will enhance his quality of life now, and avoid problems later.

Hope this helps.

2 teeth had to be extracted, cat was only chewing on 1 side due to pain. There was ton of tartar build-up on that side, bill was $550 well spent.

Thanks again, as your posting clinched my making the appointment.

 

[HeHateMe]

My bro has some pet brown recluse spiders living in his mom's garage. Should he call an exterminator?

 

[Warrior Spirit]

My bro has some pet brown recluse spiders living in his mom's garage. Should he call an exterminator?

Probably be cheaper to just ask them nicely to leave.

 

[Wintermute]

2 teeth had to be extracted, cat was only chewing on 1 side due to pain. There was ton of tartar build-up on that side, bill was $550 well spent.

Thanks again, as your posting clinched my making the appointment.

Glad to hear it worked out. Once I get mine over this weird GI issue I'm probably going to do the same. How did he tolerate the anesthesia? Any post-op complications?

 

[Hbkrusso]

Lol at brushing a cats teeth. Got a suit of armor?

all ya gotta do is hold your pistol on the cat and say hold still muthafucker its brushin time

 

[Sunbiz1]

Glad to hear it worked out. Once I get mine over this weird GI issue I'm probably going to do the same. How did he tolerate the anesthesia? Any post-op complications?

All went well considering both gas and ketamine were utilized. No complications other than soft diet for a week. I see now why dental procedures are high risk for older pets:

"Ketamine does have some cardiac effects, and can lower what is called the seizure threshold, so we will only use it on young healthy cats. In addition, it is a rare side effect, but ketamine can potentially change a cat's personality, sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently."

 

[Wintermute]

All went well considering both gas and ketamine were utilized. No complications other than soft diet for a week. I see now why dental procedures are high risk for older pets:

"Ketamine does have some cardiac effects, and can lower what is called the seizure threshold, so we will only use it on young healthy cats. In addition, it is a rare side effect, but ketamine can potentially change a cat's personality, sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently."

I have an appointment set up for my cat on Feb.5th. He is 15 and I'm rather uneasy about using anesthesia, so I am glad you mentioned ketamine. I've been blowing this off for that and other health concerns, but he recently got his second UTI this year. Interesting enough, the vet said if he has an infection in his mouth from an abscessed tooth or what not, this could transfer bacteria to his neither region when self cleaning, leading to possible chronic UTI's. Damned if I do, damned if I don't at this point.

So I'll be meeting with the vet a week prior to discuss the risk to benefits at this time and get a follow-up X-ray on an incidental finding on a lateral chest image.

Keeping fingers crossed...

 

[Sunbiz1]

I have an appointment set up for my cat on Feb.5th. He is 15 and I'm rather uneasy about using anesthesia, so I am glad you mentioned ketamine. I've been blowing this off for that and other health concerns, but he recently got his second UTI this year. Interesting enough, the vent said if he has an infection in his mouth from an abscessed tooth or what not, this could transfer bacteria to his neither region when self cleaning, leading to possible chronic UTI's. Damned if I do, damned if I don't at this point.

So I'll be meeting with the vet a week prior to discuss the risk to benefits at this time and get a follow-up X-ray on an incidental finding on a lateral chest image.

Keeping fingers crossed...

Generally it is damned if you don't, as your pet will probably not enjoy the quality of life it once had without proper dental care. And then you wind up putting it down anyways at a later date.

Hope it goes well.

 

[LordKOTL]

Our cat needed a deep clean that required her to go under because of a lot of tartar. Wll see in her next checkup if it's coming back or not.

My advice if you need to actuallt brush your cat's teeth? Burrito them.

 

[DrGonzo]

Had to do it for our dog. We even feed it greenies that are supposed to keep their teeth clean. But we paid $250 and they had to pull some teeth

Cleaning and extractions for $250? You got off way cheap.