Teeth Cleaning

Hi, everyone. It's been a year since I posted, but I hang around and read a lot!

Nervous about my cat, Turtle, getting her teeth cleaned tomorrow and just wanted to hear others' experiences. She went in December because of some drooling and not wanting to eat. Had a little gingivitis and tartar, but the vet sad it wasn't that bad. Went on antibiotics for that and she got better. Now I'm getting the teeth cleaned. She's 10-1/2 and never had them cleaned before or gone under anesthesia. She's also VERY scared and stressed whenever we go to the vet, so I am really worried for her! I know it has to be done, but...

It's the vet she's always gone to, they're wonderful there, have a great reputation, and it is an extremely reasonable price. Just don't know what to expect afterward, as I know all animals respond differently to anesthesia, etc., and I AM so stressed about leaving her there when I know she'll be so scared and about the procedure. Guess I'm the baby instead of her being my baby!! LOL

Pam

Pam, I had my Holland in just on Monday to extract most of her teeth due to stomatitis. She was at the vets from 7:30 am until 7:00 pm. I missed her terribly while she was gone, but they called me a few times during the day to let me know how she was doing. Holland too gets very stressed about being at the vet, but she pulled through just great.

She was pretty out of it when I brought her home, but I could tell that she was glad to BE home. She didn't want to eat much that night, but her appetite was back to normal by the next day. She's still getting used to her mouth with no teeth, and she's been sleeping a lot and not playing for the past couple of days. I have to constantly remind myself that once she is fully healed she will be feeling better than ever!

Sending good thoughts to you and Turtle!

Thank you for the good thoughts, Mystik Spiral! Wow, she had most her teeth pulled--that it amazing. I'm so glad she came through it well and I sure wish her a speedy road back to her old self! It's SO hard when they're sick or have to have something done like this. Thank you for sharing your and Holland's experience!

Pam

Turtle made it through wonderfully. Just a teeth cleaning and that's it...no extractions or major gum issues. She's just taking it easy in her cozy window seat! Thanks again, Mystik Spiral.

Pam

Aw, I'm glad to hear that Turtle didn't have to survive any more than a cleaning!

Three days after her surgery, Holland is back to her normal self, running around like a crazy girl, at least whenever she isn't too busy being a spoiled princess...

Great to hear she's doing so well!!

Yes, they are spoiled, aren't they!! Turtle's nickname is Queen B!

Pam

Originally Posted by TurtlesMom

Yes, they are spoiled, aren't they!! Turtle's nickname is Queen B!

Click to expand...

Yes, Holland is also known as "little love", "pretty princess" and "precious baby".

Spoiled? No, not at all...

I now have another question or two, and I'm not sure if I should start a new thread or not. I've never paid much attention to Turtle's breathing, but she seems to be breathing a little faster than normal (could be my imagination). I'm counting the breaths at about 40 to 45 breaths a minute (she's awake, laying down). Not panting, not in distress. Eating pretty well, even though I'm not supposed to give her a lot of food tonight. Grooming. I think she's used the litter box since she's been home, but I just cleaned it out so I can be 100% sure from now on. Also, her pupils don't seem to get as small as they usually do in brighter light (they do get larger when she's in a dark place, and get some smaller in light, but do not get as small as usual in bright light). Do you think this could be something left over from being under anesthesia or should I be concerned? She had her dental cleaning/anesthesia at 2:30 this afternoon and it's now 11:30 at night. She also had rabies and distemper shots

All this probably seems silly, I know. Probably just being paranoid!

Thank you!!

Pam

EDIT: She's asleep now and I counted her breathing and it's around 27, so I guess all's well in that area?

Re: her pupils, they generally give the kitties eye drops during procedures because they won't produce tears under anesthesia. Holland had an "odd" look to her eyes for the first 24 hours or so after her surgery. I imagine that the rapid breathing is also due to anesthesia, but if you have any concerns at all, call Turtle's doctor!!

You're not being silly or paranoid at all to worry about your baby!

Thank you, Mystik!

Wrinkles eyes were that way when she was altered a few weeks ago and she breathed faster.
I do not like they gave the shots at the same time though.
I never let them do that with my cats.
Each shot is given on a different day.
I hope your cat feels better.

mews2much (love that name!), I was reluctant on the shots, too, but she hates going to vet so much I thought this would help by keeping us from going back. I told them I didn't want the distemper (Fvrcpc) due to finances, just the rabies (she was overdue on both, but rabies shots are the law), but they gave it to her by mistake. Apparently most everyone gets both, so now there's a shot that combines the Fvrcpc and rabies (they didn't charge me for it). Last year three days after her yearly vaccinations, she came down with a cold (which is when I found this great forum and made my first posts). So I thought this year, even though I told them "financial reasons," that wasn't the only reason. Never knew if the Fvrcpc had anything to do with the cold.

She seems 100% from the teeth cleaning, but today, three days after that and the shots, she sneezed a few times, which she never has done in the past without it turning into a cold! Time will tell if it goes down that path again---I sure hope not!! If it does, I'm calling on the home vet I've connected with.

Pam