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Cassidy is going under for her dental tomorrow -- vibes, please?

post #1 of 20
4/8/11 at 8:11pm
Thread Starter 
I'm a nervous wreck. My beautiful Cassidy will be undergoing a dental cleaning tomorrow with (at least) one extraction. I knew she had gingivitis, but she was recently diagnosed with stomatitis. And, while I knew she needed to undergo dental cleanings and possible extractions, it doesn't lessen the blow when the time finally comes. So, please, if you could spare some vibes, both Cass and I would appreciate them...

Apparently, at her last vet visit, the vet noticed that she had resorptive lesions on her upper canines. One tooth is far worse than the other, but they both may come out tomorrow -- I am entrusting my vet with how to proceed since Cassidy has been dealing with some other health issues (IBS/IBD) on top of the gingivitis and stomatitis. I feel bad for my girl as she just turned 3 years old, but I am thankful to work in the same clinic where her procedure will be done (though I will not be there during the procedure). I fully trust my vet and we are also discussing other possibilities where her care is concerned -- including a care regimen that hails from a dental clinic in Texas. But, in the end, all I want is for my girl to make it through the procedure relatively unscathed and begin to feel better.

Cassidy will have a complete work-up before the procedure -- including blood work. I'll be bringing her in around 8:30am and then will bring her home after my shift ends at 7:00pm. She will be under anesthesia for the procedure and she'll be given appropriate medications both before and after the dental and extractions. But, for as much as I trust my vet and the techs who will be working on my girl, I am still worried. So, again, any prayers or vibes you can put out there for Cassidy will be most appreciated.

Why is it that I wish I were the one having dental surgery tomorrow...?

Cassidy turned 3 on April Fool's Day. What a birthday present, huh?! Sigh.
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post #2 of 20
4/8/11 at 8:16pm
I've been in your shoes a few times - kitties w/ severe gingivitis needing dental cleanings/extractions. It always goes smoother than I hope it will!

Sending mega for both of you tomorrow
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post #3 of 20
4/8/11 at 8:21pm
Lots of going out from here that Cassidy comes through it all just great.

I understand your anxiety. I'm the same way. But worrying doesn't help.

Just know that she'll be fine, because she will be.

Robin
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post #4 of 20
4/8/11 at 9:22pm
Vibes for Cassidy. Resorptive lesions are not the same thing as stomatitis. Tolly has had resportive lesions (FORL) a few times, he has very few teeth left. But he does NOT have stomatitis.

Make sure you get buprenex for pain, NOT metacam. And since most vets seem to forget to tell you, buprenex does not get squirted down the throat, you just syringe it right into the mouth, it is absorbed through the gums/mucus membranes

Cassidy
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post #5 of 20
4/8/11 at 9:43pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for your support and suggestions...

Cassidy has been dealt a rough hand. Not only does she have gingivitis, but she does have resorptive lesions as well as stomatitis (I was aware that they are not the same and that one does not necessarily indicate the presence of the other). And, to top it off, there is a very strong likelihood that he has IBD as well. But, since she is doing okay now, we are working toward getting her mouth and dental issues taken care of before moving on to working on the IBS/IBD issues. Both will be problems throughout her life, but my main goal is to basically triage her symptoms and ensure that we do what is needed first and then go on from there.

As far as the Metacam versus Buprenex issue, there are no worries there. I have it listed that my cats are never to be given Meloxicam. She will be given Buprenex only. And, as an aside, I will be there not long after she comes out of surgery as I am working tomorrow. Therefore, I'll be able to watch over her and participate in the early stages of her after care. It's a blessing to work at the same office I take my pets. It certainly allows me to feel more comfortable. I also know how she will be anesthetized and what drugs she will be given. To that end, I was also able to pick out which vet I wanted to do her surgery as well as which techs I wanted on hand to help with her care. I feel as though we have everything covered, but my emotions and fears are still getting the best of me.

I do appreciate the experiences everyone has offered as well as the tips. I'm grateful to have a background with vets and pet care, but it is always a welcome sight to see others backing up my thoughts and reminding me of things I may not have considered. So, thank you all. And, please keep those prayers, vibes, or whatever coming!
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post #6 of 20
4/8/11 at 10:16pm
Hun, Bugsy has all that too... Just so you know, it is quite common for cats with stomatitis to have IBD... Bugsy's Stomatitis treatment actually help his IBD a lot also. He does have resorptive lesions as well, and periodontal disease to a point that his roots get destroyed. I can see them fading in the x-rays... He will probably have extractions quite often
You'd think he is 12-13, but he is only 4!
Bugsy took Nalbuphine this time instead of Buprenex, I was told it is stronger. He only needed for a few days. They told me to give 3 times a day.
He was not eating at all, so when we hit the 24hr mark, I syringe-fed him, which was not pleasant, but necessary... By the second day he was eating off of a spoon. He started eating Kibbles on the night of the 5th day, just because I was going out of town and wanted to make SURE he was eating, otherwise would be on the 7th day (remember, he took 2 molars and 1-premolar and had the bone shaved since the roots came out in pieces... your vet might give you less than 7 days in all wet).
Highly recommend Clindamycin injections - worked wonderfully for both Gracie and Bugsy - Per Bugsy's vet (the one who treats him for his digestive tract), there is very few chances of side effects, much much less than oral, anyways.
If she has diarrhea, give her a dose of Diagel after the antibiotics is done - that's what my vet told me
Aside from that.... Bugsy was really bad on the first day, but turned around rather quickly - I am sure Cass will too
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post #7 of 20
4/8/11 at 10:41pm
Hi sending good vibes to Cassidy! I will be in your shoes in 2 weeks. Darci needs her tooth extracted. Poor little thing. I sorta wish it was today so I would stop worrying about it. You are so lucky to know what is going on and be there when she is coming out she will be comforted to see you.

Both my babies have something coming up I feel so guilty I am letting them watch their catnip dvd over and over. I really would rather be watching "Nurse Jackie" but they seem to have no interest in that

Any way lots of love and prayers for your little girl to feel better soon.
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post #8 of 20
4/9/11 at 3:18am
lots of good wishes to both your babies tomorrow, and for you as well - it's always nervewracking while we're waiting.
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post #9 of 20
5/4/11 at 1:28pm
I have a cat that was a stray that my son rescued and I ended up keeping. I have three other cats also. In any case, I have had Dee Jay for about a year and a half and he has had chronic dental problems to the point where the vet recommended I see an oral veterinarian surgeon. The bottom line is he has to have all of his teeth removed. Now I have had cats put up with me for close to forty years and I never had one with this problem so I do not know what to expect except it is costing me a small fortune.

I am a nervous wreck as he goes in this Friday morning for the operation. He is the sweetest, most affectionate cat that makes all of this worthwhile and I sincerely hope this puts an end to the stomatitis and other associated problems he has been plagued with. He so doesn't deserve this. He was a street cat for several years and the last year and half I know have been the best part of his little life so far. I just hope I can make it all better for him.

This is my first post on this wonderful forum and if anybody could give me some encouragement it would be appreciated.

Bob
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post #10 of 20
5/4/11 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTavis View Post
I have a cat that was a stray that my son rescued and I ended up keeping. I have three other cats also. In any case, I have had Dee Jay for about a year and a half and he has had chronic dental problems to the point where the vet recommended I see an oral veterinarian surgeon. The bottom line is he has to have all of his teeth removed. Now I have had cats put up with me for close to forty years and I never had one with this problem so I do not know what to expect except it is costing me a small fortune.

I am a nervous wreck as he goes in this Friday morning for the operation. He is the sweetest, most affectionate cat that makes all of this worthwhile and I sincerely hope this puts an end to the stomatitis and other associated problems he has been plagued with. He so doesn't deserve this. He was a street cat for several years and the last year and half I know have been the best part of his little life so far. I just hope I can make it all better for him.

This is my first post on this wonderful forum and if anybody could give me some encouragement it would be appreciated.

Bob
Welcome to the forum and many for your sweet kitty.

Maybe you should start your own thread with this so more people will see it?
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post #11 of 20
5/4/11 at 1:45pm
Hi Bob, and welcome!

My Holland was diagnosed with stomatitis and had ALL her teeth removed before she was even two years old. I was a wreck the day I had to take her in for surgery too - she is so small, at the time of her surgery she weighed 6 pounds. She came out of it just fine. She was able to eat wet food the next day, and after she was healed, she ate dry food/treats and hasn't had any problems grooming.

At first I was told that she'd be able to at least keep her fangs, but once she was in surgery the dentist called me and said her teeth were all just bad. He gave me the option to leave a few, but told me that I'd likely be doing the same procedure again in 6 months if I didn't have them all pulled.

The dentist was very caring, he called me after her surgery to let me know things had gone just fine. The next day he called me again just to see how she was doing. Like I said, she is real small, and he wanted to see her gain about a pound, and at her two week check-up after the surgery, she had already gained half a pound! Not only that, but she was never much for playing, but once she had her surgery she was like a kitten, so full of energy and playing with all of her previously ignored toys.

What I realized was that she had to have been in a tremendous amount of pain, and I didn't know it. After her surgery she was like a whole new cat. Well, maybe more like my same little cuddlebug with a whole lot of energy and a big appetite!

Lots of for you and Dee Jay on Friday. It's never easy to drop our little ones off for surgery, but I'm sure everything will go smoothly, and Dee Jay will be feeling SO much better before long.
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post #12 of 20
5/4/11 at 2:00pm
Here are some good vibes for Cassidy and her worried meowmy.
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post #13 of 20
5/4/11 at 2:35pm
Oh, good luck - I hope it goes well.
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post #14 of 20
5/4/11 at 4:25pm
Here's to a successful surgery.

My cat, Buddy, had it done and he was no worse for the wear. He is now a happy boy.

for beautiful Cassidy.
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post #15 of 20
5/4/11 at 7:52pm
Just want to say that I understand your anxiety about the dental. Cassidy will be just fine and I know it is impossible not to worry. Lots of vibes for all to go perfectly well
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post #16 of 20
5/5/11 at 2:49pm
Thanks for the welcome and reassurance. See, I don't even know how old Dee Jay is. There are no original owners I can ask and all estimates place him around five-ish. That seems about right for his overall disposition and appearance.

I lost two cats in two years. One was 22 and another was 17. So I know what older cats are like. The other three I have are under two, two of which are brother and sister. The "sister" (Ellie) is an opera singer and is without a doubt the loudest cat I have ever heard. Dee Jay on the other hand has the softest, squeakiest voice. All four cats get along fabulously.

Well, I am rambling. I really hope this turns out well. And thanks again for the replies. Much appreciated.
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post #17 of 20
5/5/11 at 3:16pm
I hope everything went well for your kitty cat! Please post an update for us!
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post #18 of 20
5/6/11 at 7:47pm
I just picked up Dee Jay from the Vet after he underwent six hours of surgery on his mouth.

All of his teeth were extracted and the Vet said his prognosis was borderline good to guarded. He apparently has some lesions that hopefully will heal when the inflammation decreases. He has to go back in two weeks and then again in six weeks for checkups.

He has to wear an Elizabethan collar for ten days and receive Buprenorphine twice daily for pain. The Vet printed out all of the work done which ran for two pages and he showed me all of the xrays and photographs of before and after.

I am glad he his home as it has been nerve wracking. I really, really hope this improves his condition.
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post #19 of 20
5/7/11 at 4:50am
Just a reminder that the pain medicine Buprenorphine is squirted into the mouth, not down the throat, as it is absorbed by the mucus membranes.

Healing vibes for your Dee Jay

Dee Jay
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post #20 of 20
5/7/11 at 8:49am
I have had to use Buprenorphine on Dee Jay before this. He is terrible at taking medicine in the first place. It takes two of us to hold him down and even then he fights like the dickens. But we did manage to give him a dose this morning and he is sleeping now. I will give him another later today. I have ten doses of .35ml for five days.

He hasn't eaten yet and I am hoping that he might nibble a little later today. I am giving him baby food temporarily until he feels more confident and less painful about eating regular cat food. When he had two teeth extracted in February I gave him baby food for two days and he liked it. It is very easy for him to lick and at least it gives him some nourishment.

Also, in February a biopsy was done on the tissue in his mouth and it was not cancerous. The vet yesterday was a little concerned about a lesion he saw but didn't think it warranted another biopsy.

The other cats have been very supportive which I think makes him feel better.
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