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!
What to do when a 16 year old cat loses a tooth?
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Mollycat
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Re: What to do when a 16 year old cat loses a tooth?
My boy was 13 with mild CKD when he needed a dental. The vet had him stay there for 2 nights, one before the anaesthesia and one after, on IVs, to help support him through the procedure. We had no problems with him at all and he recovered like a champion. As long as the kidney function in the remaining kidney is good enough you should be all good, though obviously your vet will be able to advise.
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Ruth B
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Re: What to do when a 16 year old cat loses a tooth?
I've had two cats who lost an upper canine in their later years, and neither needed any work doing.
With the first one, Katie, we noticed that the canine was protruding over the lower lip, so took her in to get it checked. The vet looked at it in the examination room and then took her to a back room where he managed to pull it out without any anesthetic. The tooth was dead and the body was naturally rejecting it anyway so the vet just speeded it up a little. She may have had an antibiotic injection just to be on the safe side, but I can't really remember as it was a good few years ago.
Blue was in his mid teens and had had almost all his back teeth extracted previously when we noticed that one of his canines was missing. The vet managed to check it out, again without anesthetic, and declare that it looked fine and unless it seemed to be bothering him to leave it alone.
If a tooth breaks off in a fight then it can leave live tissue exposed which can be very painful and prone to infections, it it is just a matter of age and wear then the body can deal with it in its own way and seal the area off, it is then only if an infection gets into the sealed area and causes an abscess is there a problem. Hopefully your girl will be fine without any surgery, but as has been said as long as they take necessary precautions due to her age and health there is no reason she should not be fine.
With the first one, Katie, we noticed that the canine was protruding over the lower lip, so took her in to get it checked. The vet looked at it in the examination room and then took her to a back room where he managed to pull it out without any anesthetic. The tooth was dead and the body was naturally rejecting it anyway so the vet just speeded it up a little. She may have had an antibiotic injection just to be on the safe side, but I can't really remember as it was a good few years ago.
Blue was in his mid teens and had had almost all his back teeth extracted previously when we noticed that one of his canines was missing. The vet managed to check it out, again without anesthetic, and declare that it looked fine and unless it seemed to be bothering him to leave it alone.
If a tooth breaks off in a fight then it can leave live tissue exposed which can be very painful and prone to infections, it it is just a matter of age and wear then the body can deal with it in its own way and seal the area off, it is then only if an infection gets into the sealed area and causes an abscess is there a problem. Hopefully your girl will be fine without any surgery, but as has been said as long as they take necessary precautions due to her age and health there is no reason she should not be fine.