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Dental and other problems

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 9:58 am
by Blue Wind
I took both cats, aged 13 and 14 for dental work last week. They didn't do the older cat as she had lost weight since she was last weighed at the vets. They took bloods and sent these away for analysis. The vet telephoned my partner and said that the test showed slight indication of kidney disease and it was okay to go ahead with the dental work.
Today we took the cat to have the dental work done and we saw another vet, or might have been a nurse. She said that Whitby has stage 1 kidney disease will need a change of diet, they didn't know why she was losing weight and that she has some lesions to do with the teeth, which sounds like an ossification of the roots and jaw. Also she is much more at risk for the anaesthetic and will need much longer on fluids. Has anyone any experience of the tooth/jaw condition? Will be in constant pain even if it has the dental work and the teeth capped?

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:56 am
by Ruth B
I'm no expert but a few years ago our Ragdoll cat, Blue, needed some dental work doing, he was about 13 years old too.

My vet did a full blood work in the morning before surgery and found signs that his kidneys were starting to have problems, they didn't put it in a specific stage term, but that of the three tests for kidney function 2 were showing some problem but the third one was fine, so a very early stage. They were happy to go ahead with the anesthetic and do the required dental work, but of course had to let me know there was an increased risk attached.

When we collected him the vet mentioned about a special diet and continued blood tests which we agreed to. However when he went for his follow up a few days later a different vet looked at his results and said he wasn't sure the special diet was worth it at that time and just to monitor him to see how he got on.

He also had some additional problems as, even though he had all his teeth cleaned, he did have to go back a couple of months later and have the remaining back teeth removed. Apparently it isn't too uncommon in cats and their gums start to react to the teeth the same way as the gums react to scale meaning they start to swell and become sore, removing the teeth normally solves the problem. I don't know whether this is similar to the lesions you mention Whitby having, Ossification isn't something i have come across by name.

There was no talk of caps or anything, just leaving the gums to heal over. He never had a problem eating afterwards, he always preferred dried food to wet and still would happily eat a bowl of crunchies even though he had no back teeth to crunch them with. He even lost one of his canines which came out by itself and when we took him in to have it checked when we noticed it had gone, the vets were happy that it had come out cleanly and we just had to keep an eye on the gum to make sure there was no infection.

He did still have blood tests to check his kidney function, at first it was done every 2 to 3 months, then it went to 6 months and then to yearly intervals. Once his teeth were out his kidneys recovered. The infection in the bad teeth had been putting extra strain on them, once that additional stress was removed they had a chance to heal themselves. It possibly helped that he did drink a lot, but as he preferred the dried food this was a good thing anyway.

He lived to be over 16 years old, he never did have a special diet, and never needed medication for his kidneys.

I once heard it said that a cat with a bad tooth suffers far more than a cat with no teeth, Blue pretty much proved that adage.

Hopefully your Whitby will also benefit from the dental work like Blue did and her kidneys could recover, the weight loss could be because her teeth are giving her problems eating. I'm never sure if special diets are worth it, they tend to only be available in a few flavours and many cats become bored of them very quickly. There are a lot of people on here that have nursed cats through kidney disease and can probably suggest alternative diets that are more varied.

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 11:20 am
by Blue Wind
Thank you for your reply. She's having them done now and I shall update.

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 11:33 am
by Lilith
Hi and welcome :)

Last year my eldest had to have a dental, at 15 years, and I gathered from what they said that it's generally usual nowadays to keep an older cat on a drip after an anaesthetic ... worth paying for, I reckon. I'm sorry I have no experience of dental work like this though.

I'm also sorry to hear Whitby has the first signs of ckd ... this varies immensely and some cats will take to a special diet, some not; it also depends what stage they're at. I'd (personally) keep a cat eating, even if not a prescribed diet, and enjoying its food and life for as long as possible, but that's just my personal view; I'm no expert. Apparently senior cat food is good, as it's lower in potassium.

Love the name Whitby - I take it she's black and shiny, as in Whitby jet?

All power to her and as Ruth says she'll feel much better after the dental - hope she has a good long time with you yet despite the ckd - all the best :)

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 11:46 am
by booktigger
Hope it goes well - not quite the same, but my cat was diagnosed with early stage CKD last year when she needed major surgery (removal of part of her hip!) and the vet said that while there was a slightly increased risk, it was better to do it then at early stage, than wait for it to get worse. Dentals can actually improve kidney readings, I hope that is the case with yours.

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 12:01 pm
by Janey
Hi and welcome. A few of my very oldies have had dentals with CKD, thyroid and other elderly cat issues and have all been fine, and benefited from the dentals, be that teeth or tummy wise or other. All mine have had shorter dentals though as it can be risky, and on a drip and if the cats have needed all the teeth removing my vet has sometimes left in the canines as it can break the jaw apparently removing them. All mine have been fine with biscuits/dry food even straight after the op. My vet said that their gums soon harden so dry food should still fine to eat.
Fusses to your little girl when you collect her xx

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:26 pm
by Blue Wind
Whitby has had a pretty unpleasant time there was evidence of resorption and she had two teeth removed but the vet thinks she will require more treatment.
She seemed pretty bad in the night and was passing diarrhoea where she lay, so I was surprised to hear my partner (who was up early) say she was crying for food. I contacted the vet and they said that the change of diet plus the pain and medications was causing the diarrhoea. I called in for some prescription cat food and they also gave me some stuff to bathe her bum with. Poor thing has a very sore and runny bum and this is distressing her. It was painful when I bathed it. She has passed tiny solid raisin sized poos a few times so it seems to be better.
She is vocal for food and eating small amounts at regular intervals as suggested by the vet nurses.
Her daughter Ruby, who is 13 had three teeth out last week and doesn't appear to have resorption, she bounced back quickly and was out and about 24 hours afterwards, but since Whitby came back she has been acting strangely. She didn't eat this morning as usual and then hid under one of the beds, I left a bowl of dry food and she has gradually eaten it all but she will not let me near her and hides again. She came down when Whitby was having her bum bathed (she cried). I am thinking she is wary and traumatised by her own experience and/or the smell of Whitby.
Whitby is white with a lot of smallish patches of black, like jet on the beach. Ruby is twice her size and a tortoiseshell.

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:29 pm
by booktigger
Aww, poor thing. I've never heard of a vet giving something to bathe a cats bum with! It's not unusual for them to have issues with siblings after the vet, due to the strange smells so you could try rubbing them both with a towel

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 8:07 pm
by Janey
Poor girl, it sounds like she’s not reacted well to it all. I hope she’s feeling better soon. Give her a big snuggle from me x

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:15 pm
by Blue Wind
We are still having problems with Whitby.
On Sunday I had to take her to A&E as her bum was so sore and swollen I thought it might be a prolapse. The vet said it was just inflamed, she was still having problems pooing. Whilst she was their she passed a poo and one when she came home, but hasn't been since ,
I took he back to our vet today and they said there was no build up in her bowel, she is eating very well now and shouts for food. She was extremely distressed by the large cone collar she was given at the A&E department and was panting due to it. She is no wearing a Comfy Collar and is able to eat.
Neither her or her daughter are drinking much but are both urinating in the litter tray.
I am feeling very anxious which I think is transferring to both cats, Ruby has been hiding some of the time and is suspicious.
Any ideas how to proceed? The vet told me to phone if she doesn't do a proper poo in the next two days.

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:31 pm
by Lilith
Hi and sorry I've not caught up on this - things have been a bit chaotic here.

Didn't the vet suggest a laxative - though it's good that Whitby's passed a motion. I find tinned salmon, juice, bones and all, can be a good natural cat laxative - and much welcomed lol.

They do pick up on stress, unfortunately, but they also know, I feel, when you want to help them; although they're in their teens they're not quite old ladies yet and I hope the situation stabilises - fusses to them both and all the very best and do please keep updating x

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:40 pm
by Janey
It’s good to hear her appetite is back and she’s eating well now, and I’m sure her digestion etc will improve once she settles back to her normal routine.

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:42 pm
by booktigger
I'm also surprised they didn't give a laxative, constipation can be common after an anaesthetic

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 9:26 pm
by Blue Wind
She's also had opiate based painkillers which will not have helped.

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 3:53 pm
by Blue Wind
Whitby has had a good poo in the litter tray. She really wants to go out to poo.
She has also worked how to get to her bum over the comfy collar!

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 3:56 pm
by Lilith
Oh good - better out than in, as the actress said to the bishop ... :lol:

Little horror - they are crafty! :o

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 5:16 pm
by Janey
[quote=“Blue Wind"]She's also had opiate based painkillers which will not have helped.[/quote]

That’s true, glad she’s pooed, better to do it naturally if possible :)

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 3:58 pm
by Blue Wind
Whitby is slowly recovering, but is still very under weight, I will not be happy until her condition improves. Her eating is variable and both she and her daughter have become more fussy about what is put in front of them. They originally ate James Wellbeloved Senior happily, now they a meoiwing for different foods. Whitby was never a big eater and ate small quantities at different times.
She still has a sore bum, but it is improving and she's having cream on it at night and sleeping in the Comfy Collar. Sh is out for most of the day and parading the walls, scratching, picking at grass and acting more herself.
Ruby is a bit less weird, but she is still hiding upstairs a bit, and is very frightened by Whitby's collar.

Re: Dental and other problems

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 9:43 am
by Lilith
Glad Whitby's getting back to normal and hope their eating settles down soon ... my two have been a bit like that lately, love something one day, bored the next. Poor Ruby - does she think Whitby's turned into the Collar Monster? You'll be glad when it can come off and things get back to normal. Good luck and please give them a fuss from me :)