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Feline dental vet needed

post #1 of 20
3/11/11 at 11:30pm
Thread Starter 
Hi my 6 yr old girl needs a tooth pulled. Can anyone recommend a good cat dentist near Annapolis, MD? I am more concerned about he/she being good and close (she is not a kitty who loves the car) than cheap.

thanks!
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post #2 of 20
3/12/11 at 3:13am
Is there a special concern with the tooth so that your regular vet can't do the extraction?
If that's the case and you do need a specialist, here is the list of veterinary dentists state by state

http://www.avdc-dms.org/dms/diplomates.cfm
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post #3 of 20
3/12/11 at 5:28am
I agree with Violet Only real concern I would have is make sure some bloodworks done if possible if for nothing else then to know if any other issues going on Good luck-I have a cat whos needed 2 dentals in less then 8 years and most of my others never needed one. Is tooth brushing something you would be able to do with this cat?
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post #4 of 20
3/12/11 at 8:30pm
Every Vet I've gone to, the Vet Tech's do the dentals. The tooth pulling shouldn't be an issue at all as your cat will be anesthesized. (That's the only danger (both with people and cats) is the anesthesia, but if you're cat's healthy, there shouldn't be a problem.

If your cat happens to have high leukocytes (white blood cells), a fever, any type of illness on the day of the dental, they will not (or should not) put your cat under or do the work until your cat is better.

There ARE holistic dentists out there that are certified, do a great job, cost less and do not use anesthesia. You might consider looking up one of the holistic "no anesthetic" D.V.M. Holistic dentists! :-D

Warmly,

Julie O'
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post #5 of 20
3/13/11 at 3:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarciFinn View Post
Hi my 6 yr old girl needs a tooth pulled. Can anyone recommend a good cat dentist near Annapolis, MD? I am more concerned about he/she being good and close (she is not a kitty who loves the car) than cheap.

thanks!
One tip I can share about having an anxious cat traveling in the car.........to make it less stressful for them. Ensure they're in a proper carrier, of course (I cringe when I see or read about people who let their cat roam loose in the vehicle!). And COVER THE CARRIER with a sheet or light blanket, so that they can't see outside. They often motion sick from seeing through the carrier to the outside and seeing things wizz by. It makes a huge difference.

Also, if you can sit the carrier in the passenger seat as opposed to the back seat, that can help too....to lessen the motion sickness. I know I get very nauseated and woozy when riding in the back seat of a car....but no problem in the front.
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post #6 of 20
3/13/11 at 9:30am
Quote:
There ARE holistic dentists out there that are certified, do a great job, cost less and do not use anesthesia.
Since this option has been mentioned, I can’t help saying that just the mere thought of any kind of dental procedure done on a cat without anesthesia horrifies me. In my experience (with my cats) cats are not good patients, even when it’s only a quick scaling at the office. Any dental work taking longer, causing pain/discomfort……I just can’t imagine…….

Anyway, after I first heard about it, wanting to know the facts, I did extensive reading on dentals without anesthesia. I’d like to share now a tiny sampling of the available information for everyone’s benefit:

http://www.cathospitalofchicago.com/...nesthesia.html

http://www.avdc.org/dentalscaling.html

http://consciouscat.net/2011/02/21/a...y-dental-care/

http://www.healthypet.com/petcare/Pe...b-1d5830de9a51

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/3...training.html#

http://www.mypetsdentist.com/site/vi...edentistry.pml

http://veterinarydentistry.net/blog/...stry-dogs-pet/
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post #7 of 20
3/13/11 at 11:07am
Hey, that's very, very interesting reading!

I totally agree that if the non-anesthesia person who would be doing the dental procedure is not a D.V.M., then forget about it.

The one we have here, she's a D.V.M. and I've only heard great things about her work. It is apparently pain-free. I believe (don't know first-hand) they use holistic means to completely dull the pain with holistic meds for after-pain.

Chinese medicine (holistic) has been around for thousands and thousands of years while modern medicine is made from dangerous chemicals and such.

Not to say that the wrong holistic medicine couldn't really mess a cat up, but when used with knowledge as these non-anesthesia-for-dentals have studied and learned, man, I would way prefer the holistic way for my babies.

Warmly,

Julie O'
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post #8 of 20
3/13/11 at 12:46pm
If you read the articles describing what needs to be done during a dental and really, really think about all the details, you have to realize a dental is not something that should ever be attempted on a feline patient that is awake, if people have the patient's best interest at heart.

To me it's not important who is doing dentals without anesthesia, whether it's a holistic vet or someone else, what matters is that the job cannot be done safely and effectively on a patient that is awake and moving around. It's simply not possible.

Extremely important
http://www.avdc.org/dentalscaling.html

Quote:
1. Dental tartar is firmly adhered to the surface of the teeth. Scaling to remove tartar is accomplished using ultrasonic and sonic power scalers, plus hand instruments that must have a sharp working edge to be used effectively. Even slight head movement by the patient could result in injury to the oral tissues of the patient, and the operator may be bitten when the patient reacts.

2. Professional dental scaling includes scaling the surfaces of the teeth both above and below the gingival margin (gum line), followed by dental polishing. The most critical part of a dental scaling procedure is scaling the tooth surfaces that are within the gingival pocket (the subgingival space between the gum and the root), where periodontal disease is active. Because the patient cooperates, dental scaling of human teeth performed by a professional trained in the procedures can be completed successfully without anesthesia. However, access to the subgingival area of every tooth is impossible in an unanesthetized canine or feline patient. Removal of dental tartar on the visible surfaces of the teeth has little effect on a pet's health, and provides a false sense of accomplishment. The effect is purely cosmetic.


3. Inhalation anesthesia using a cuffed endotracheal tube provides three important advantages... the cooperation of the patient with a procedure it does not understand, elimination of pain resulting from examination and treatment of affected dental tissues during the procedure, and protection of the airway and lungs from accidental aspiration.
Also, please, please, please read this article again, even if you've read it once already
http://veterinarydentistry.net/blog/...stry-dogs-pet/

and then think about maybe just this one vitally important fact:

Quote:
Anesthesia free dentistry is cosmetic only, hiding the true disease that exists below the gum line.
Also vitally important from this article
http://www.mypetsdentist.com/site/vi...edentistry.pml

Quote:
Risks:
1. Patient motion can cause oral injury during teeth scaling procedures.
2. Patient motion will not allow for dental radiographs to be taken adequately.
3. Patient motion may cause patient pain if periodontal probing is performed.
4. Inability to see may cause misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose any problems.
5. Dental calculus (tartar) may fall into the respiratory tract and cause severe disease or even death.
6. Owners may be led to believe their pet is healthy and severe disease may be present.
So many things one has to think about and consider..... And so many things that can and do go wrong when pets are not anesthetized for a dental.......It's scary.......
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post #9 of 20
3/13/11 at 1:24pm
There are holistic herbs and such out there that would put you right to sleep that are not dangerous for cats.

Anasthesia is very dangerous for cats as well, let's not forget that. It has ended many a cat's life while under it.

Therefore, I agree to disagree.


Warmly,

Julie O'
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post #10 of 20
3/13/11 at 2:43pm
What are the names of these herbs that can knock a cat out safely enough to do a dental? Or the name of this vet? I would assume the vet would of course be versed in 'conventional' techniques to use them as needed?

All licensed vets have various anesthetics at their disposal, depending on what is appropriate for the procedure and the pet.

And, of course, any pet parent should budget pre-procedure lab work in...and run from any practice that does not strongly suggest it be done (or even demand it - although I know some vets, when faced with recalcitrant clients and a animal in obvious pain from dental issues, won't push the lab work if the clients act like they'll walk out the door if faced with the lab fee).
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post #11 of 20
3/13/11 at 4:29pm
Again, I have had friends use this Vet (as stated before) so I don't know which herbs were used. Just that they were with their cat, they were fine during the process and they had a very safe dental.

I won't answer to the rest of your comments because it's ridiculous to assume otherwise. Already stated I was talking about a D.V.M. Holistic vet. You can figure that out, I'm guessing.

I'm leaving this thread now because you obviously aren't interested in truth, but in arguing. I don't argue.

See ya, unthreading. I can't argue for medical reasons, I can't get stressed out for medical reasons.

Good luck with whichever form of dental you get.

Warmly to the asker,

Julie O'
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post #12 of 20
3/13/11 at 6:56pm
Quote:
I won't answer to the rest of your comments because it's ridiculous to assume otherwise. Already stated I was talking about a D.V.M. Holistic vet. You can figure that out, I'm guessing.

I'm leaving this thread now because you obviously aren't interested in truth, but in arguing. I don't argue.

See ya, unthreading.
My goodness, Naps With Cats. Where is all this coming from? I can only think of one explanation. I believe you wrote this because you confused two different posters. It was me you had a conversation with earlier, but then darlili entered the conversation and posted some thoughts as well. You didn’t realize this post was from someone else and thought you were still responding to me……..

In any case, nobody wants to, or is even trying to argue. I couldn’t come back to our conversation earlier but I was definitely planning on coming back and asking for more info about the holistic vet you mentioned. Perhaps he or she has a website. And we would also definitely like to get more info – definite info - about the herbs this vet is using for a dental.
And details about the dentals as well. What is and what is not included. Normally, for instance, polishing, an essential, extremely important part of the cleaning, is never included in dentals without anesthesia.

Quote:
There are holistic herbs and such out there that would put you right to sleep that are not dangerous for cats.
Since you mentioned this, you should not be offended if people ask for more and specific information. This is a very serious matter. Information and direction to information would be very much appreciated by everyone. So please, help us out here.
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post #13 of 20
3/13/11 at 10:32pm
"It has ended many a cat's life while under it."

???

How many of your were lost/all the ppl you know personally?
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post #14 of 20
3/15/11 at 9:43pm
Thread Starter 
Wow, sorry for the late response. I was out sick. It seems I stirred up quite a bit.

I am going to take Darci to a feline dentist. I was just looking for a recommendation from someone who had it done in the area beyond the one I got from her vet.

Her regular vet said she needed her tooth pulled but otherwise she is great health. I am going to have the bloodwork done to make sure it's safe to put her under. She is not quite 6 so I want her to have a long happy pain free life.

I would no sooner have her tooth pulled with holistoic herbs than I would be to have mine done that way. I mean geeze this is my kitty she relies on me to take care of her. I know it will be about 800.00 and not exactly how I would want to spend it - I am just very lucky to be have the type of job where it will not be to painful.

Thanks for the recommendation on the car - she has a good carrier she just gets so scared even on the 2 min ride to vet. Thanks for all the input - I am thinking the worst part won'[t be writing the check but knowing how scared she is!
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post #15 of 20
3/16/11 at 7:31am
I agree - as much as the pocketbook hurts, I'm always more upset about how nervous mine get. Lots of vibes that all goes smoothly.
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post #16 of 20
3/16/11 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by catsallaround View Post
"It has ended many a cat's life while under it."

???

How many of your were lost/all the ppl you know personally?
She didn't necessarily mean her own cats, but I know I have certainly heard lots of stories from friends and such about cats that die under anaesthesia, just unluck of the draw I think. Apparently, while not common, it's not unheard of for there to be complications, I'm not a vet so I don't know what they would be, but it does happen.
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post #17 of 20
3/16/11 at 8:07pm
Thanks violet for all the links regarding this subject. I read them all. I would never even consider putting any of my cats through a dental procedure without anesthesia. First off, the stress and confusion of it would be too much for them and secondly, pain. I just wouldn't do that to my furbabies.
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post #18 of 20
4/5/11 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 
Hi - just a quick update. Darci had her check up today - she may need two teeth out - yikes anyway.

Unfortunately my boy, Finny had his check up today and was diagnosed with a low grade heart murmur so now my $$$ doubled and my fears quadrupled.

Alas - I get it is part of being a kitty mommy.
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post #19 of 20
4/5/11 at 5:22pm
I suppose Finny will have an ultrasound now to find out more about the murmur.

Here is a good article for you on murmurs for information:
http://maxshouse.com/heart_murmurs.htm
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post #20 of 20
4/7/11 at 8:20pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Violet - they gave me two choices for Finn - sonogram and electrocardiogram. I went with the more expensive one because it was only 250.00 more and I would rather know the full story. He is being seen Monday by a cardiologist.

Thanks for the article although I think i need more information on Finny's condition to understand it i have bookmarked it for after his appt. No clue this stuff has to be so hard but I am just thinking good thoughts!
LL
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