Extracted Upper Canine Tooth - Constant Sore on Lip

[goholistic]

I didn't realize when Sebastian had his right upper canine tooth removed (1 of 6 extracted due to FORLs) that it would cause the right lower canine tooth to constantly stab his upper lip. The vet said the removal of the upper canine may cause minor issues with opening and closing, but I wasn't really sure exactly what she meant. Sebastian now has this raw sore that won't go away because of the repeated stabbing. I'm hoping the area eventually "toughens up," kind of like when humans get braces, but it's already been about two months.

I've tried to dab it with a gentle homemade saline, but he just licks it off (of course).

It was difficult to get a good pic. It actually doesn't look that bad here, but there are some occasions when he closes his mouth too quickly and/or too hard and the sore will bleed.

IMAG0424.jpg

• goholistic
• Sep 2, 2013

 

[pushylady]

Poor Sebastian! I don't see how that sore can ever actually heal - it gets constantly poked everyday and any kind of topical treatment would get licked off quickly. Has the vet seen this sore? Perhaps he will need the lower canine removed too, although I know that's pretty drastic and I'm sure you don't want him in for surgery again so soon.

 

[nccarol]

My cat had 12 teeth removed all on one side of mouth a few weeks ago they were infected under the gum and into the bone including the upper canine. My vet told me since they have seen so many cats come in with what your describing he surgically made an adjustment to her upper lip during her surgery to avoid the bottom tooth from poking into the upper lip. I see now this is what they must have been referring to. So far she seems alright  I did not see any sore spot on the lip. Its hard to pick her up she's blind and gets started easy so I have to check her mouth as I can. The vet said they had seen many come in with that problem when they did not do that to the lip. She looks alright facially. Maybe they can do something now. Let me know 

 

[goholistic]

Poor Sebastian! I don't see how that sore can ever actually heal - it gets constantly poked everyday and any kind of topical treatment would get licked off quickly. Has the vet seen this sore? Perhaps he will need the lower canine removed too, although I know that's pretty drastic and I'm sure you don't want him in for surgery again so soon.

I know, right! My poor boy has had his share of ups and downs lately.

Yes, the vet has seen it and she said it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be, so I guess she was expecting it. She mentioned that if it becomes a real problem, she could dull down the lower canine tooth a little so that it isn't such a sharp poke. I hesitate to put him under anesthesia again. Shortly after his dental he got pancreatitis, and part of me thinks the two are related.

Just not sure what to do. I have no idea how much it may be bothering him, but I suspect the pain from the sore is probably less than the pain he was feeling from the FORLs. 

I wanted to put this out there so that people understand what could happen if an upper canine is removed but bottom canines remain intact, so that it can be discussed with the vet beforehand and a possible solution can be developed while the cat is already under anesthesia.

 

[goholistic]

My cat had 12 teeth removed all on one side of mouth a few weeks ago they were infected under the gum and into the bone including the upper canine. My vet told me since they have seen so many cats come in with what your describing he surgically made an adjustment to her upper lip during her surgery to avoid the bottom tooth from poking into the upper lip. I see now this is what they must have been referring to. So far she seems alright  I did not see any sore spot on the lip. Its hard to pick her up she's blind and gets started easy so I have to check her mouth as I can. The vet said they had seen many come in with that problem when they did not do that to the lip. She looks alright facially. Maybe they can do something now. Let me know 

Aww....your poor cat! And here I thought 6 was a lot! I know some cats go in and get them all out. Hmm....I wish an adjustment could have been made with Sebastian's upper lip. Almost like cosmetic surgery, huh? As mentioned above, I'd really hate to put him under anesthesia again unless absolutely necessary.

I appreciate you telling me about your kitty. It shows that I have another option, should he need it.

 

[violet]

Over the years one of my girls has lost both of her upper canines. (Extractions both times.)  No problems from the lower canines.  However, I'd like to say,  your vet's idea

She mentioned that if it becomes a real problem, she could dull down the lower canine tooth a little so that it isn't such a sharp poke.

is an absolutely excellent one. Dentists do this all the time for their (human) patients when sharp teeth are causing problems.  I would have this done immediately.  I wouldn't wait.

If you ask your vet, she'll tell you that very little sedation would be needed for the procedure, nothing like they need for a real dental.

Please go for it.

If that's not enough, I would rather have the lower canine pulled than think about any additional surgery.

One of my other girls lost three of her canines when she got older.  They just fell out on their own.  Where they ended up, no idea. (Never found any of them anywhere in the house.)    Our vet told me at the time there was nothing unusual about this, cats lose teeth like that all the time.   Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, she was eating fine without the canines, we saw no signs at all that she ever missed them.

Please don't be afraid of making the lower canine less sharp.  Hopefully it will fix this problem.

I'm also thinking, if you have veterinary dentists available in your area, you might want to have the problem evaluated by one.

 

[ldg]

Oh poor Sebastian!

Yes, I think filing down the lower canine is a good idea, and probably the least invasive option. :nod: I'm sure they could use just a local anesthetic and a sedative - it's not at all like what they would have had to use to remove the canine.

Now I'm worried about Chumley.... I can't really play around with his mouth, so if a wound is being formed inside, I'm not sure I'd know. They want me to bring him back in about a week. If I can't get a look before then, I guess they'll be able to. He's so good for the vets - poor thing is so scared.

for Sebastian - and for you!

 

[goholistic]

Thanks for your replies, Violet and LDG. I actually called the vet today to pick her brain about several various issues with my three cats. She wasn't in and will be back in the office on Thursday.  I'm going to ask about the lip/tooth issue and see what's involved with getting that done.

Oh poor Sebastian!

LOL. Yes, this seems to be a recurring phrase lately.

Now I'm worried about Chumley.... I can't really play around with his mouth, so if a wound is being formed inside, I'm not sure I'd know. They want me to bring him back in about a week. If I can't get a look before then, I guess they'll be able to. He's so good for the vets - poor thing is so scared.

for Sebastian - and

for you!

My vet advised, "I know you're curious and want to see what was done, but do not try to open his mouth or stick your fingers in his mouth." LOL. I was like, "But, but, but...."  I obeyed. I didn't notice the lip issue until Sebastian was laying on his back with his belly in the air. I got down on the floor to give him a gentle belly rub and a chin scratch. That's when I saw it. At first, I thought it was a herpes virus ulcer and upped his lysine. But then I actually saw the lip get caught on the tooth when he meowed. And then more and more I witnessed the tooth cutting into his lip. Poor guy. Thanks for the vibes! Same to you! I hope Laz and Chum both heal quickly and effortlessly.

 

[nccarol]

Was wondering how your baby was doing with the lip and what the vet said? I checked my girls mouth and so far so good since her surgery.  

 

[ldg]

Yes, how is Sebastian? :cross:

I don't see anything on Chumley's mouth either, but I haven't poked around inside at all. He has a vet re-check tomorrow at 10:30.

 

[sugarcatmom]

Aztec had a canine removed many years ago and like Sebastian, he developed a sore on his upper lip. The vet warned me that might happen, and that if it became really bothersome for Aztec, we might have to remove the lower canine as well. Even though it did look rather raw for quite a while, it did eventually callous over (as you can see in the second pic). His tooth still catches his lip but now it just gives him an adorable Billy Idol sneer.

sultan's tent with a sneer.jpg

• sugarcatmom
• Sep 9, 2013

Aztec Zack cuddles2.jpg

• sugarcatmom
• Sep 9, 2013

Hopefully Sebastian's lip heals up soon!

 

[goholistic]

LOL. Love the Billy Idol sneer comment. 

Thanks for asking about Sebastian. Unfortunately, the lip issue took a back seat because of Sebastian's trip to the vet over the weekend for a more serious concern (see: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/264363/sebastian-is-back-at-the-vet-suspected-pancreatitis-again).

His bottom canine is still getting caught on his lip. If it catches hard enough, he'll shake his head, so it must be bothersome or just annoying for him. I was hoping the area would toughen up and callous over as Sugarcatmom mentioned.

How long did it take for Aztec's sore to callous over?

With all the issues Sebastian has had lately, I'm really hesitant to put him under anesthesia for another extraction, or even just a little under anesthesia to have the bottom tooth dulled down. But I will still ask about this once we have his other issues under control. The vet may say it's no big deal at all and easy to do. 

 

[sugarcatmom]

 
How long did it take for Aztec's sore to callous over?

It was so many years ago that I don't remember exactly, but I'm thinking several months. I was on the verge of thinking I would have to get the other tooth removed when it just suddenly didn't seem to be an issue anymore. 

 

[goholistic]

 
It was so many years ago that I don't remember exactly, but I'm thinking several months. I was on the verge of thinking I would have to get the other tooth removed when it just suddenly didn't seem to be an issue anymore. 

Okay. Thanks for the info!

 

[nccarol]

Got some pics of my girls lip where the vet made the lift in her upper lip so the bottom canine would not poke it. The other picture is now several weeks later she was sleeping but the lip looks pretty level.

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• nccarol
• Sep 10, 2013

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• nccarol
• Sep 10, 2013

0910131240.jpg

• nccarol
• Sep 10, 2013

  The picture above is the infected socket they called it alveolar osteitis

 

[goholistic]

LOL. Sebastian is now getting the "Billy Idol sneer" quite frequently, but he doesn't even notice it. 

IMAG0434.jpg

• goholistic
• Sep 24, 2013

 

[ldg]

:lol3: It IS adorable!

I've noticed Chumley's lip getting caught on his tooth from time-to-time and I always bust out laughing, as it makes me think of this thread and the "Billy Idol sneer." Chum doesn't seem to notice it either. :lol3:

 

[rachel narang]

Did your kitty's lip ever heal and/or toughen up? I'm having this problem with my kitty's lip. He was found by animal care & control with a broken/dislocated jaw and cheekbone and treated him before I adopted him. They didn't want to wire his jaw because he had a lot of scar tissue, so they took out some teeth so he could close his mouth better. He eats well, but his bottom canine is rubbing against his lip and stabs it sometimes. I contacted the small animal dentist where he was treated before I adopted him and she told me she could extract it for $1100 or perform a root canal and file it down for $1300. She said he'd need a root canal if she files it down. I can't afford it at this time, so I had to cancel when she emailed me the estimate. I will take him to his regular vet so she can check on it. It isn't infected, but I don't want it to get to that point. I'm hoping it will toughen up over time as well. 

 

[rachel narang]

I don't want a lot of procedures done on my cat, Siamon either. He went through a lot before I adopted him. I don't feel right getting a healthy tooth pulled, but I guess I'd have to if it is causes a lip infection. To make matters worse, I think I'll have to get his other upper canine extracted at some point because it looks discolored. It was discolored when I adopted him though. From what I read on the dentist's report, he had a complicated fracture on the upper canine they pulled and an uncomplicated one on she didn't extract. I really want him to keep as many teeth as he can! 

 

[goholistic]

 
Did your kitty's lip ever heal and/or toughen up? I'm having this problem with my kitty's lip. He was found by animal care & control with a broken/dislocated jaw and cheekbone and treated him before I adopted him. They didn't want to wire his jaw because he had a lot of scar tissue, so they took out some teeth so he could close his mouth better. He eats well, but his bottom canine is rubbing against his lip and stabs it sometimes. I contacted the small animal dentist where he was treated before I adopted him and she told me she could extract it for $1100 or perform a root canal and file it down for $1300. She said he'd need a root canal if she files it down. I can't afford it at this time, so I had to cancel when she emailed me the estimate. I will take him to his regular vet so she can check on it. It isn't infected, but I don't want it to get to that point. I'm hoping it will toughen up over time as well. 

I'm so sorry to hear about the complications with your kitty's jaw and mouth. Sebastian's lip healed up just fine. It calloused over and went back to normal color. It is no longer pick and does not bleed. It just took a few months for it to heal, but his lip is okay now. His lower canine will stick get caught on his lip, but he is not bothered by it.