Horrible teeth, ultra foul breath, smelly coat

Recently I adopted a fairly old cat (born around 2000) named Fangs from a shelter because I felt sorry for the poor thing. The cat has very bad teeth, several of them missing, lots of tartar, red spots on some of her teeth, extremely strong halitosis. Alot of her front teeth are missing and as a result her tongue often sticks out like Michael Jordan. Alot of times she has foul smelling drool on her chin which I need to wipe. I tried to brush her for a while with a finger brush with no success but recently after she jumped on my bed with amazingly foul breath, I successfully managed to brush her teeth with a regular cat brush. I noticed the saliva on the toothbrush was especially foul smelling. I will try to accustom her to brushing more and more but the vet is dismissive of brushing and says her teeth are so bad it must hurt alot to even brush. Alot of times she has stinky fur and odor, the vet says it is probably because of her saliva, when she cleans herself gets her stinky instead of clean. I recently gave her another bath.

I took her twice to the vet so far since I got her on 5-23-2009. The 10th of July she is scheduled again for a dental cleaning and possible extractions. So far he has done stool, blood-work, a test for Bartonella and has given during each visit Clavamox liquid anti-biotics for me to administer.

Alot of times vets do not know everything, maybe someone here has had similar problems, as the vet still does not know definitively what is wrong. I am sort of mad that the second visit was not for the cleaning, instead dragging this out into extra visits, because she really needs it badly. Has anyone had similar problems or any suggestions as to her afflicition?

That is crazy the Dr didnt schedule her for a dental, the next visit, like you said.
Just like humans teeth and gum issues can be very painful and it sounds like she has bad issues. Everything you are describing from the foul odor and to drooling points in the direction of teeth/mouth issues.
Friday cant come soon enough to resolve this for this poor baby.

Originally Posted by Thrasymachus

I will try to accustom her to brushing more and more but the vet is dismissive of brushing and says her teeth are so bad it must hurt alot to even brush.

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I know its not the same but, my dog has a tumor which is causing erosion in her mouth. I cannot brush her teeth because it hurts her too much. The only reason I'm bringing it up is because I agree with your vet. Mind you, after the dental cleaning/extractions, I would get in the habit of brushing her teeth... Poor baby.

hmmm, I wonder, do they make Sensodyne toothpaste for cats? I know it works wonders on me

I took her twice to the vet so far since I got her on 5-23-2009. The 10th of July she is scheduled again for a dental cleaning and possible extractions. So far he has done stool, blood-work, a test for Bartonella and has given during each visit Clavamox liquid anti-biotics for me to administer.

Alot of times vets do not know everything, maybe someone here has had similar problems, as the vet still does not know definitively what is wrong. I am sort of mad that the second visit was not for the cleaning, instead dragging this out into extra visits, because she really needs it badly. Has anyone had similar problems or any suggestions as to her afflicition?

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I don't blame you for being mad I would be too.

I hope others have some advice, but I just hope time flies and the antibiotics help prevent it from worsening.