FIV cat - broken teeth

I adopted a kitty from a rescue shelter 1 month ago. He is so sweet and I'm so happy with him.

The issue is, when I got him checked out and updated at the vet the woman who runs the shelter uses (they give her a 50% discount), the vet said he had a bit of gingivitis. The doctor also noted he was missing lots of teeth. Which was due to the FIV. However, I have noticed that all four of his canine teeth are broken! Like half of the tooth is broken off in each case. Plus some red/brown patches on his teeth and gums. I had to take him back to that same vet about 2 weeks later because he needed some meds for a respiratory infection and again, when I was there I asked the doctor about his teeth and he said "he can chew". All has been going pretty well, but he was still favoring his ear a bit.

So, I took him to a new vet right close to me (the other was about a 45 min drive!). This new vet found there was yeast in his ear and gave me some drops. But she said his teeth are in very bad shape and that he is most likely in pain.

She said he would need pretty much all teeth removed, including those broken canines. And that they'd do it in 2 visits that would total $500 to $700 per visit.

I wanted to ask:
1) Does this sound like the right solution for my cat? I hate to think of his mouth being in pain and am willing to go ahead. But don't know if I'm getting taken for a ride.
2) Does this cost sound about right? I know that tooth work is $$ expensive, but wanted to check.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

First of all, thank you for adopting this FIV kitty who so obviously needs your loving attention!

FIV kitties are prone to problems with their teeth and gingivitis. It sounds like your kitty has a bad case of gingivitis. This alone is painful. It can be treated a number of ways. But given the bad shape of his teeth, it probably is a good idea to just have them all out. It will save both of you a lot of pain, vet visits, dentals, and treatments in the future. It will save you a LOT of money over his lifetime.

It makes sense to me to do it in sections, rather than all at once. I don't know where you live, but dentals here with just one tooth extracted cost about $325, so the quote given you sounds reasonable to me. But really, that depends so much on your location! I don't think it can hurt to make a few calls to other vet practices and ask for quotes. On the other hand, if you liked this vet, and it's not unreasonable for the area, it is a good idea to give the business to someone you want treating your cat long term, just so you have someone with a "vested interest" in your kitty, familiar with his issues and who knows you.

There are several members of TCS with toothless kitties, and they do just fine! I also think it will help with the problem of gingivitis (if not resolve it?).

Many vibes to you and your kitty!

Hi!

I have a toothless kitty and although her extractions were expensive ($2,000 to extract ALL her teeth) it was worth it. Holland doesn't have FIV, but she was diagnosed with stomatitis when she was just a year and a half old. She had stinky breath since I adopted her and I didn't really think anything of it, but then I found a tooth on the floor one day - she'd already lost all her baby teeth, so I took her to the vet. Her mouth was so red and inflamed that she could barely stand for the vet to touch it.

I had always thought she was just a picky eater with stinky breath who didn't like to play, but once her mouth was healed, she was like a new cat! Good appetite, got to her ideal weight (and then some ) in a matter of months, and started playing like a kitten again. Like most cats, she had hidden her pain well, and it wasn't until she was better that I realized how much the poor girl must have been hurting.

She is perfectly fine with no teeth, she grooms, she eats (wet and dry), she plays. I just make sure her kibble and treats are small enough that she won't choke on them, although the vet said that she is able to chew with her gums.

I would advise you to check around and get maybe a few quotes on the cost, but I know that dental work is expensive. Also, is there a reason why they want you to do it over two visits? When I took Holland in, they were still hopeful that her fangs could be saved, but once she was under and the dentist got a good look he called me and told me that he could leave some of her teeth but chances were that they'd have to come out too in another 6 months. They extracted all of her teeth in one visit, and she didn't have to stay overnight or anything. They sent me home with pain meds and I had a follow-up visit a week or two after the surgery. I just know that I was a mess on the day of her surgery, and I would have hated going through that twice!!

Good luck with your kitty - good for you for adopting a cat with special needs. Just thought I would share my experience with my own toothless kitty.

Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

Also, is there a reason why they want you to do it over two visits?

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Thanks for sharing.

I wonder if it's because of the age of the kitty?

Thank you so much! I think this is the right thing to do. I live in the Boston area so the price I was quoted sounds like it's in the ballpark. When the vet calls about the results of his pre-anesthesia bloodwork, I'll ask her to explain again why this would require two visits. For some reason, I thought she was saying that it had to do with the time they were able to keep the cat "under".

I am in SUCH a bad mood when I take the kitty to the vet and when I return because I just HATE having him scared and/or in pain.The vet took him in the back room with the nurses to draw blood and asked that I stay in the exam room. I could hear him howling and it broke my heart!

I got him home and it seems he's just fine now. In a way, it's almost as hard on me as it is on him, poor kitty.

we're not sure of his age ...somewhere around 4 or 5?

I know how you feel about the vet!! My Holland is the quietest cat ever, but when I take her anywhere in her carrier she just cries and cries... it breaks my heart!

I think removing your guy's teeth is the right thing to do. The two visit thing might have to do with age or possibly more difficulty in removing broken teeth or something? Holland was very young when she had her surgery, so maybe she was able to handle the anesthesia better. Well, if at all possible I hope you can have all the extractions done in one visit, just to save you the heartache.

Then his age would be my guess as to why the two visits. If he's got bad gingivitis and already broken teeth, I'm also guessing the extractions won't necessarily be simple or straightforward - or at least the vet isn't expecting them to be.

You might want to consider purchasing/downloading some harp music to play for BOTH of you on the way to the vet. Very calming.

But we do know exactly how you feel about the vet visits. One of our kitties had to go weekly for blood work for... a long time. We always knew when they were drawing his blood - EVERYONE could hear what sounded like a cougar snarling. You just have to constantly remind yourself to be as positive and calm as possible for HIS sake. Prepare yourself with all kinds of happy memories to keep you occupied and smiling.

And as you're new to TCS, you need to know, we're here for support, not just questions.

Google Harp of Hope.

aw...thank you so much. We'll be ok. I sometimes think the vet thinks I'm a diva...and it's not that I'm thinking I AM all high and mighty, but my kitty needs SPECIAL ATTENTION And so it's like I'm being a diva on his behalf (hee hee)

He had a really rough life, he deserves good treatment.

He DOES deserve special attention! And you're right - poor fella has had a rough life. He's one very lucky kitty to have found his home with you.