Need advice for feline tooth cleaning

[double2]

Thanks in advance.

Our cat just turned 4 years old. Based on previous assessment and advice from different vet, it would be best interest for the cat to do dental cleaning. We have decided to do it soon and had a few candidate clinics. Since we don’t have any experience regarding dental cleaning, we appreciate your advice for choosing the clinic. Previous assessment shows only tartar build-up along the base of some teeth, not likely there will be extraction.

Candidate 1:

A small family owned clinic which has been operating for more that 20 years. The doctor and owner is a nice old guy. We had been there once for vaccine. The clinic is fairly old, not sure about the equipment for dental cleaning. They charge 400 for the cleaning, even include extraction.

Candidate 2:

A state of art all in one cat hospital and resort. We had been there for emergency(urine track blockage) and regular vaccine. The staff are nice. Not sure about their dental equipment, however, should be fairly new. They charge 800 for cleaning only, and extraction extra.

Since the process involves anaesthesia which could have some risk, just wondering whether the facility and dental equipment will play a big role here? Any suggestion for choosing dental clinic? We want to do the best for our cat. Any advice are greatly appreciated.

 

[goholistic]

Personally, I'm not so much concerned with the cleaning itself as I am with the anesthesia. I would drill them with questions about their process, anesthesia type, monitoring, etc. IMO, a good clinic will want to drawn pre-anesthetic blood work and listen to the heart to minimize risk, regardless of the cat's age.

I would probably go with the clinic most likely to excel in anesthesiology.

Not sure if this helps you! 

 

[denice]

Mainly because of the anesthetic I would probably go with the state of  the art clinic even though the charge is significantly more.  Dentals are unfortunately expensive.

Even though the main concern is anesthetic, an extraction can also be a concern.  A kitties jaw is so small it doesn't take much to break it  when doing an extraction.  I know one  of my kitties had 5 extractions with one dental.  The vet actually drilled out one of the teeth rather than trying to pull it.

 

[double2]

 
Personally, I'm not so much concerned with the cleaning itself as I am with the anesthesia. I would drill them with questions about their process, anesthesia type, monitoring, etc. IMO, a good clinic will want to drawn pre-anesthetic blood work and listen to the heart to minimize risk, regardless of the cat's age.

I would probably go with the clinic most likely to excel in anesthesiology.

Not sure if this helps you! 

Thanks for the info. Both clinics say they will do pre-check, iv fluid, monitoring, and observation after the process. I will double check with the anesthesia type. 

 

[double2]

 
Mainly because of the anesthetic I would probably go with the state of  the art clinic even though the charge is significantly more.  Dentals are unfortunately expensive.

Even though the main concern is anesthetic, an extraction can also be a concern.  A kitties jaw is so small it doesn't take much to break it  when doing an extraction.  I know one  of my kitties had 5 extractions with one dental.  The vet actually drilled out one of the teeth rather than trying to pull it.

Thanks for the inputs.

 

[catladyvettech]

I agree with the others. Make sure your kitty gets pre-op lab work. Ask what parameters they monitor during the procedure and what equipment they use to do so. Some places just manually check the standard TPR (temperature, pulse and respiratory rate) while others use monitoring machines that check those plus blood pressure, O2 saturation, CO2 output and ekg readings.

I would also go with the clinic that has a dental X-Ray machine. Even if your kitty doesn't need extractions this year, they will be able to save the xrays and use them for comparison next time your cat gets a dental cleaning and can closely monitor any ongoing tooth decay. Do both clinics offer an dental sealant that is applied after the cleaning and polishing? A dental sealant can help slow the progression of plaque and tartar and thus help delay your cat's need for her next dental. Do both clinics trim your cats nails for free while she's under anesthesia? This service is usually included, but you might want to ask.

Hope all this helps you to make an informed choice. Good job shopping around and kudos to you for staying on top of your cat's dental health. It's a subject that is easily and frequently missed.

 

[double2]

I agree with the others. Make sure your kitty gets pre-op lab work. Ask what parameters they monitor during the procedure and what equipment they use to do so. Some places just manually check the standard TPR (temperature, pulse and respiratory rate) while others use monitoring machines that check those plus blood pressure, O2 saturation, CO2 output and ekg readings.

I would also go with the clinic that has a dental X-Ray machine. Even if your kitty doesn't need extractions this year, they will be able to save the xrays and use them for comparison next time your cat gets a dental cleaning and can closely monitor any ongoing tooth decay. Do both clinics offer an dental sealant that is applied after the cleaning and polishing? A dental sealant can help slow the progression of plaque and tartar and thus help delay your cat's need for her next dental. Do both clinics trim your cats nails for free while she's under anesthesia? This service is usually included, but you might want to ask.

Hope all this helps you to make an informed choice. Good job shopping around and kudos to you for staying on top of your cat's dental health. It's a subject that is easily and frequently missed.

Thanks for the detailed information.

 

[catpack]

You've been given some good information!

I would want to know if the clinic uses Iso (Eye-so) or Sevo (See-vo) for the anesthesia and what type of pre-anesthesia medication is given. Sevo is always my preferred anesthesia gas. I feel it is safer, as this is what is used on heart patients and ones that are anesthesia sensitive.

I guess the other question would be, how long do their routine denials typically take? 20 or so minutes should be ample time (unless an extraction is needed, ect...)

Sometimes it's a vet tech doing the cleaning, and other times it's the vet. It just depends. An older vet may take longer to do the dental than one who is in their prime and has access to state of the art equipment. (Yes, the type of equipment available does make at least se difference.) A vet tech that does dentals on a regular basis may be quicker than a vet that only does them on occasion.

Just because I have used both a smaller, older clinic that didn't have all new equipment and a clinic that is state of the art, I personally would most likely go with your second candidate. I think they are likely to have better dental and monitoring equipment and are likely to be quicker.

 

[double2]

 

[furmummy]

Sounds like you picked the right place.

Using a vet that can do intra oral Xrays is really important.  I would never consider anyone who did not have the proper Xray equipment

for dentals. During an extraction fractures can easily happen as can left behind root fragments which can cause a lot of pain to the cat.

Besides, putting a cat through anesthesia just to miss possibly painful issues just cuz the vet couldn't do the proper diagnostics....

No Thanks!!

One of mine had 9 teeth extracted about a year ago. We went to someone who is training to be a dental specialist.  8 of the needed

extractions would have been missed if not for the proper Xray.  (My cat is older than yours, 11 years old)

If I may suggest some homeopathic remedies to ease the experience?

Use Arnica 200C the night before and a dose in the morning before going in.

Give Arnica as soon as possible after the cleaning. Maybe twice or so afterwards.

This will greatly reduce swelling,soreness, inflammation and pain.

If extractions are done, Hypericum will help with nerve pain.

If there is drilling into the bone or other interventions such as drilling a tooth out etc. Ruta Graveolens will

help with healing and discomfort. 

After my cat had 9 teeth extracted, 2 had to be amputated and the bone was drilled into to put a filling into it,

there was NO swelling and NO inflammation after using the homeopathic remedies above. We also used Buprene q 8 hours for several days.

Your cat being so much younger, hopefully will not need any teeth extracted.

Pepsodent kitty around the corner 

 

[double2]

We did the dental cleaning for him. Blood work on Saturday, results back on Monday, cleaning was done on Wednesday. No extraction was performed, the clinic doesn't offer sealing on teeth.

The teeth do look brighter and those yellow tartar bas been gone. Other than that, no obvious change of behaviour, except lost a patch of hair due to IV fluid.

Total cost is 600 something. 

I truly appreciate everyone's inputs.

One more issue, about litter box behaviour:

Starting last week, it has been three times that he enters the box, turn around, smell around, do nothing, and after 10 to 30 seconds, leaves. It happened after we switch the litter from Dr Elsey/World best mix to pure Dr Elsey. The poo and pee are normal.

We had urine blockage in the past before the PU, at that time, he entered the box but was not able to produce or produce very little amount.

Due to the past experience, we are very nervous for any litter box behaviour change. I don't think it is an issue this time, however, just want to hear some more inputs.

Thanks!

 

[catpack]

Since you noticed the behavior after switching from the mixture to complete Dr. Elsey's, I'd suggest going back to the mixture for just a bit and seeing if this doesn't make a difference.

The 2 litters have different textures and smells, so this could very well be the reason for the new behavior.

 

[double2]

Since you noticed the behavior after switching from the mixture to complete Dr. Elsey's, I'd suggest going back to the mixture for just a bit and seeing if this doesn't make a difference.

The 2 litters have different textures and smells, so this could very well be the reason for the new behavior.

Thanks

We used to have all World best filled in the box, however, we notice that it has huge amount of yellow powder at the bottom of the box. Our cat likes to dig  a lot during pooping. and it will left a lot of powder on the floor and even on the tables, chairs......

Dr Elsey seems to be much better, low in dust, firm clumping, we started the transition few months ago and last week we started to fill the box with Dr Elsey only.

I will continue to monitor him