Need Your Help

Zimmie, our 3-1/2 year old cat, had blood in her urine last week. Husband took her to the vet and she's on amoxycillin for 3 weeks. The vet also looked in her mouth and all her gums are inflamed and teeth covered with god knows what. He gave us an estimate of $400 to have her teeth cleaned under anesthetic, etc. Zimmie has never been a big eater, but doesn't seem to have an appetite at all now. She also has never had bad breath.

What would you all do now?

Get her teeth cleaned so she can eat, but you can call around and get quotes from other vets in your area or even get a second opinion.. Some kitties have a natural propensity to poor teeth and that may be the case in your situation. Once the teeth are cleaned, talk to your vet about preventative measures such as special food and other treatments.

The antibiotics may be throwing her appetite off. I'd probably ask for a second opinion as well, as well as estimated fees, but try to compare apples to apples as far as procedure, resources available to the vet (a hospital may cost more than a clinic, for example - and could be worth it if anything unusual happens during the procedure), blood work, post-treatment pain relief, etc. And, it can be hard for the vet to give a final number until they get in and see what actually needs to be done, just like with people.

Poor baby - but if her teeth really need cleaning, I think it's a good investment in her health. Mine have had a couple of cleanings in the years I've had them. Luckily, we caught the start of tartar formation, so the procedure wasn't lengthy. I was to say it was in the $200-300 range for each cleaning, including a full blood work up pre-dental. They didn't have any extractions, though.

I thought also that the antibiotics may be throwing off her appetite. Thank you very much for your replies. I strongly feel also that we need a second opinion.

We have 7 cats and have never had a dental problem before. Do all cats need their teeth cleaned periodically and is that what everyone here does?

IMO, all cats need to have their mouths and teeth examined at each exam - annual for young cats, at least semi-annually for the more 'mature' cats. Just like people, some cats will tend to develop tartar, etc., and need cleaning, more than other cats. My girl seems to go a couple of years between cleanings, my boy needs one every other year, so far - basically eating the same food. My boy needed his teeth cleaned at four - a year after I adopted him. My girl - she was six before she needed cleaning.

Also, maybe ask the vet for advice on how to brush your cats' teeth - that will help dental health as well. Or search the internet for vet school sites, such as Cornell, that usually have videos on how to attempt to brush a cat's teeth. It's not always possible, especially with a mature cat (I know!) but it might be worth checking. There is prescription dental food - there's one Hills version that my vet gave me to try as a treat, but mine just didn't care for it.

Dental health is really important, just like with people - but, sadly, cats aren't very good patients in the dental chair, so you have to knock them out - right there the costs go wildly up.

Originally Posted by Primula

I thought also that the antibiotics may be throwing off her appetite. Thank you very much for your replies. I strongly feel also that we need a second opinion.

We have 7 cats and have never had a dental problem before. Do all cats need their teeth cleaned periodically and is that what everyone here does?

Click to expand...

I have a suggestion.... IMHO she is too young to have that bad of gums and teeth - I would take her to a veterinary dentist instead of doing a cleaning with a vet; she might have stomatitis or gingivitis, and in this case cleaning alone will be a waste of money. A dentist will be able to better assess the situation and treat her accordingly.

A veterinary dentist, hmmm? Definitely something to look into. Thank you much.

Originally Posted by Primula

A veterinary dentist, hmmm? Definitely something to look into. Thank you much.

Click to expand...

It is not going to be more expensive, by the way.... you will just spend your money wisely treating her the best way you can

Could Zimmie's issue with her teeth have caused her stomach problem and blood in the urine? I think so, but her vet is not clear on this. We are taking her to her follow up next Friday and then we have to decide what to do re her teeth situation. I would love you guys' opinion as to whether you think the two issues are connected.

^Sadly, yes. Bacteria in the mouth travels and often is quite hard on kidneys. Though, your vet would have to determine whether the two are related or just coincidental this time.