Both Attitude and Nuts have bad breath. It's not horrid but it isn't pleasant either. The water additive I was using did not work so I gave up on that. I did go to Petsmart and got a toothbrush and Petrodex toothpaste today. I got the poultry flavored, which while it says it's for dogs I knew they wouldn't have anything to do with the malt flavored 'cat' version. Had them lick it off their paw, and put some in their mouth(with my finger since neither seemed to want to lick the paste off their paw, but they did eventually. I attempted to get them to let me brush. I did brush their lips first and then went for their teeth. Nuts let me do a lot more than Attitude but I know I still didn't get everything but it's a new experience for them so I'll take what I can get. It helps that Nuts likes to bite things so I was able to get in his mouth better while he tried to chew the brush.
Do I need to take them to the vet now or just try to keep brushing and see if that clears it up. Like I said their breath isn't horrid, it's just not pleasant to smell. They are both 8 months old and are both leukemia positive so I know they are at increased risk for dental problems. Their teeth look good, maybe a little plaque at the gum line(can't tell), their gums might be a little pinker than they should be, they don't like anyone messing with their mouths(which makes it all the more fun to try and brush their teeth) so I can't get a good look at them. If they do have plaque it would only be a small amount at the gum line and I know they don't have any tartar. Their teeth are white and look to be in very good condition. When I brush they don't act like their in pain(no bleeding, no crying, or anything else that tells me they hurt), they act like they normally do when restrained and subjected to something they don't like.
Also, any ideas on how long it will take before they at the very least don't struggle when I brush their teeth? I'm not asking them to like it, I just need them to accept it and quit trying to get me to quit with their paws. They grab the toothbrush, and don't touch me so they aren't trying to scratch me.
Also, how often do I try to brush daily? 2 or 3 times a week? Every other year?(yes I'm joking about doing it every other year.)
So, go to the vet with 2 kitties with not very pleasant breath or keep brushing and see if it improves their breath. If it's the latter how long might it take to tell a difference, in other words if I do just keep trying to brush at what point do I say "enough" and call the vet(and keep doing their teeth.) I don't want to have to take them to the vet but I will if I need to.
I only worry due to the leukemia and the increased risk of tooth issues. If it was just one they'd be going to the vet but since it's both I'm less worried. I think it might have just been me not doing their teeth until now. Like I said the water additive didn't do anything, I haven't noticed any difference in their breath since I quit using it. I don't know how long they have had this breath, I just know it isn't anything new and hasn't got any worse. It could be normal 'cat breath' that will go away once I have been brushing their teeth more than just once. If a non-leukemia positive cat's breath smelled the same I wouldn't be worried or think anything of it.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Taryn
Do I need to take them to the vet now or just try to keep brushing and see if that clears it up. Like I said their breath isn't horrid, it's just not pleasant to smell. They are both 8 months old and are both leukemia positive so I know they are at increased risk for dental problems. Their teeth look good, maybe a little plaque at the gum line(can't tell), their gums might be a little pinker than they should be, they don't like anyone messing with their mouths(which makes it all the more fun to try and brush their teeth) so I can't get a good look at them. If they do have plaque it would only be a small amount at the gum line and I know they don't have any tartar. Their teeth are white and look to be in very good condition. When I brush they don't act like their in pain(no bleeding, no crying, or anything else that tells me they hurt), they act like they normally do when restrained and subjected to something they don't like.
Also, any ideas on how long it will take before they at the very least don't struggle when I brush their teeth? I'm not asking them to like it, I just need them to accept it and quit trying to get me to quit with their paws. They grab the toothbrush, and don't touch me so they aren't trying to scratch me.
Also, how often do I try to brush daily? 2 or 3 times a week? Every other year?(yes I'm joking about doing it every other year.)
So, go to the vet with 2 kitties with not very pleasant breath or keep brushing and see if it improves their breath. If it's the latter how long might it take to tell a difference, in other words if I do just keep trying to brush at what point do I say "enough" and call the vet(and keep doing their teeth.) I don't want to have to take them to the vet but I will if I need to.
I only worry due to the leukemia and the increased risk of tooth issues. If it was just one they'd be going to the vet but since it's both I'm less worried. I think it might have just been me not doing their teeth until now. Like I said the water additive didn't do anything, I haven't noticed any difference in their breath since I quit using it. I don't know how long they have had this breath, I just know it isn't anything new and hasn't got any worse. It could be normal 'cat breath' that will go away once I have been brushing their teeth more than just once. If a non-leukemia positive cat's breath smelled the same I wouldn't be worried or think anything of it.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Taryn
