Post-Extraction Concerns

My 8-yr old cat Charlotte had a dental ~5 days ago that required the extraction of 3 teeth, including one of her front fangs. The vet used resorbable stitches, and gave me some oral pain killers. Yesterday and today, I've noticed her drooling, and her mouth has an unpleasant odor. She's not touching her softened kibble, but is eating wet food like a champ. Today she hid under the bed (very unlike her), and was even less interested in food than yesterday. I just gave her the last of her pain meds and took a peek at her mouth. The extraction site for her fang looks swollen, and has grey/blackish tissue around it. Her gums are obviously tender and she wasn't very happy with me for prying her mouth open. Time to call the vet, or am I just being overanxious?

Thanks!

CharlottetheCat said:

My 8-yr old cat Charlotte had a dental ~5 days ago that required the extraction of 3 teeth, including one of her front fangs. The vet used resorbable stitches, and gave me some oral pain killers. Yesterday and today, I've noticed her drooling, and her mouth has an unpleasant odor. She's not touching her softened kibble, but is eating wet food like a champ. Today she hid under the bed (very unlike her), and was even less interested in food than yesterday. I just gave her the last of her pain meds and took a peek at her mouth. The extraction site for her fang looks swollen, and has grey/blackish tissue around it. Her gums are obviously tender and she wasn't very happy with me for prying her mouth open. Time to call the vet, or am I just being overanxious?

Thanks!

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No, definitely time to call the vet. Hiding under the bed is a sign of pain, and cats don't show pain until they are in a lot of pain....
The bad odor, swollen gums and drooling can all indicate an infection. She might need antibiotics. Please call the vet tomorrow. Give her wet food only, mash it with water to make it soupy and easier for her to eat

Yes, that's what I'm worried about. This is her first extraction and I was hoping it was discomfort with the stitches. Time to brave Frankenstorm Sandy and get her to the vet...
 

Awwww I'm sorry
Be safe!

You are right that the stitches could be bothering her.  But, I think it is also right to take her in to the vet just to check on things....I'd be worried about a possible infection.  We went through this recently and our vet doesn't charge for a "post surgery check."  We've been there several times just to check on things.   Stay safe in the storm.

Hopefully, you've been able to get her to the Vet.

From your description, as Carolina said, I strongly suspect infection has set in....that, in itself, will be painful - on top of the pain associated with the extractions and cleaning.

What is the "oral pain killer" you were given?  IF it is Metacam, I'd urge you to get it changed as soon as possible, as it is quite dangerous to use in cats. You can read about that here http://www.metacamkills.com

There are safe alternative pain medications, two of which are the "pain patch" and Buprenex (buprenorphine). The pain patch is a little like the adhesive part of a Bandaid with a strong pain med in the adhesive which is absorbed through the skin (the area having first been shaved) - it will be effective for 3-4+ days. It does take a few hours to "kick in", so another analgesic should be given to cover off that startup period. Buprenex (liquid) is dispensed in small syringes and is given orally - but not to be swallowed - it works only when it's absorbed by oral tissue.

Anytime antibiotics are used, it's best to add some probiotics to the food. Human probiotics are fine - they're tastless and can be sprinkled on and mixed with wet foods. These will keep the gut bacteria balanced and prevent any antibiotic-associated diarrhea commonly seen in cats

Keep us posted!.

Charlotte just finished her last dose of Buprenex and is hungry, but not really eating her wet food. I've been making it extra soupy and she licks all the soupy parts up, and then leaves the rest of the food.  I called the vet, and they seem to think that the Buprenex is putting her off her food and suggested feeding her baby food until her gums are less tender. They think what I might be seeing is her stitches, which are starting to dissolve and probably look weird. At any rate, she didn't finish her dinner and is under the bed again (this is not at all how she normally acts). How long should I wait before insisting the vet take a look to see if there's an infection?

You know....even if she doesn't have an infection the stitches could be coming loose and really irritating her.  As I mentioned, we went through this recently (actually still going through it since the stitches aren't totally dissolved yet) and Lucy has had to go in twice to get loose sutures clipped.  The first time, there was a dramatic improvement in her behavior (she had been hiding too....which wasn't like her at all) and drooling the next day.  Lucy is almost 7 weeks past her extractions and is still dealing with stitches coming loose.  The vet just clipped one on Friday.  You asked how long to wait.  My vet said gums heal quickly.  So 6 days? later if she is still miserable I would guess that either she has an infection or stitches are bothering her (which they can do something about if it is a loose stitch.)  Also, Lucy got a short acting (just 2-3 days) steroid shot about a week after her surgery that gave her some great short term relief.  I'm not a fan of steroid shots, but it was (hopefully) just a one time thing and helped her feel much better.  When the steroid shot wore off and she was miserable again it was because of the loose stitches.  And after those were clipped she felt great again.

That was a long way of saying that there should be things the vet can do to help her.  And I would think they would want to take her temperature and evaluate her to make sure she is well.  When I called my vet and told them Lucy was hiding (and that that was unusual for her), they were very concerned and wanted to see her.  I'd take her to the vet asap....just to be on the safe side.

And the pain meds (Lucy was on the same one) do have all sorts of side effects and could explain things.  But I'd still want her seen by the vet, I think.  At any rate, if she just took her last dose you should see improvement tomorrow if the pain med was causing some of the problems.  (If I recall correctly, it doesn't stay in the bloodstream for long.)

My Bugsy had quite a few extractions, and I mean quite a few. He never went through this. Lucky had an extraction too.... no problems. They feel down on the day of the procedure, but the next day they are good. Depending on how many extractions and what type of teeth were removed, they stayed on wet for a longer period of time (doesn't apply for the last time, as they were already on raw). This last time both cats were eating normally on the same night, and on the next day you would never tell anything happened. They took pain meds for a couple of days, and that was it.
They never went off food, even though they were on pain medication - the only side effect I noticed from Buprenex was constipation.
What your cat is showing is a sign of pain.
I am sorry to say, but honestly, if this was my vet and he didn't want to see my cat, bye bye vet - I would be on my way out and on my way to another vet immediately. IMHO your cat needs to see a vet. Hiding and not eating this long after having extractions IMHO is not a good sign. IMHO 3 teeth is not enough for her to have this much pain for this long - IMHO something is wrong there... Hopefully not, but I would rather be safe. At the very least she needs some pain medication that works and to have whatever is bothering her fixed, as she has to eat so she doesn't get sick.

Just as an update, Charlotte had a quick once-over by the vet who said everything looked ok, and to keep an eye on her. Now that she's off the pain meds, she's much more active and happy. Haven't seen her under the bed at all The litter box was pretty empty while she was taking the Buprenex, so maybe the poor thing was just a little constipated. I did poke around the site (which is very helpful) and did a lot of reading of nutrition and dental health. I've decided to take off her the dry food completely and start transitioning her from wet food to raw, which I'll post about in the nutrition forum. Thanks again for everyone's advice and concern.

CharlottetheCat said:

Just as an update, Charlotte had a quick once-over by the vet who said everything looked ok, and to keep an eye on her. Now that she's off the pain meds, she's much more active and happy. Haven't seen her under the bed at all The litter box was pretty empty while she was taking the Buprenex, so maybe the poor thing was just a little constipated. I did poke around the site (which is very helpful) and did a lot of reading of nutrition and dental health. I've decided to take off her the dry food completely and start transitioning her from wet food to raw, which I'll post about in the nutrition forum. Thanks again for everyone's advice and concern.

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Hi Charlottethecat, good deal!!!

We have a raw forum, and lots of helpful folks to help you there on your transition - we will do our best to help you anyway we can

Here is our Raw Forum to post a thread for little Charlotte when you are ready: http://www.thecatsite.com/f/65/raw-feeding-for-cats

See you there!!

Now that she's off the pain meds, she's much more active and happy.

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That's great!