ARGH...Retained deciduous teeth

My kitten (5 months old) had two retained deciduous teeth. I noticed them before but figured that maybe his kitten teeth just hadn't fallen out yet, but I just read online that the kitten teeth should already be out by the time the adult teeth are coming in, and if they're not, they have to be pulled.

I called the vet to ask how much it will cost to get them taken out. The receptionist said that anesthesia is "at least $70" and that each extraction is $5, but that they usually do a cleaning while they're under. I asked if I could opt out of the cleaning, because he's just a kitten and does not need it yet. She wasn't sure. My other cat was just in for a cleaning, which cost $130. I really hope they'll be willing to just do the anesthesia and extractions. I scheduled a consult for Monday for the vet to check them out (which will be $35 itself ).

I'm SO irritated to have to be spending more money on vet bills. I did not, and do not, want to keep this kitten. I brought him home because someone left him on my grandma's door step, and no one else could take him. It's my own stupid fault for doing so, I knew my husband would not want to give him up once he got here. What's worse it that he acts like I'm being ridiculous for wanting to get this taken care of. If it were up to him, he'd have 10 cats and never take them to the vet. Which I think is totally selfish pet ownership.
THIS is why my pet of choice is fish, lol.

Don't fret over it yet.
Frequently the milk teeth will coincide with adult teeth for a short while before falling out

Originally Posted by BreaMarie

two retained deciduous teeth.

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What the heck are deciduous teeth? I thought deciduous were trees!

my goldie had this issue with 1 retained tooth and it actually started to bother him -- he stopped eating well and his gums were all swollen.
i took him to the vet on a saturday, where he got some pain meds and antibiotics, and we scheduled his tooth extraction for the following wednesday.
the meds worked well to get him eating again -- and by monday morning, the tooth had magically fallen out on it's own!
i would say to wait until the teeth are an obvious issue. you might save yourself some cash!

Originally Posted by Primula

What the heck are deciduous teeth? I thought deciduous were trees!

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I wouldn't have known that either. Seriously though I hope it doesn't cost you too much hun.xx

Originally Posted by Ruthyb

I wouldn't have known that either. Seriously though I hope it doesn't cost you too much hun.xx

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But we will don't know what deciduous teeth are.

Tumbleweed is just about 4.5-5 mos old and his permanent canines are coming in behind his kitten teeth. The vet said that sometimes that happens and not to worry about it.

Give it a few more days and make sure there's some chew toys to teeth on. If you do have to get the teeth removed, and the kitten isn't neutered yet, I suggest you ask them about taking care of that at the same time. This way he's only going under anesthesia once.

RuthyB, turns out deciduous teeth are milk teeth. I learn something new here all the time.

Makes sense since deciduous trees and plants drop their leaves. Evergreens don't.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Give it a few more days and make sure there's some chew toys to teeth on. If you do have to get the teeth removed, and the kitten isn't neutered yet, I suggest you ask them about taking care of that at the same time. This way he's only going under anesthesia once.

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Great thinking!!
The chew toys are a great idea, but waiting until you get him neutered and going under anesthesia only once is the best idea.

Deciduous teeth, hmmm. I learned something new today - yea!