New member with question about my cat's teeth

Hello all - new member here with some questions about my kitty. I've got a 13-year-old male cat named Murphy. I went in last week for a problem Murphy was experiencing (he was experiencing pain when jumping, but a few days rest and all is fine again, so no worries there). While the vet was checking him out, he noticed that my cat had some dental issues. I recently brought my cat from the care of my parents in CA since they were leaving the country for an indefinte amount of time. We had Murphy since he was a teeny little kitten. He was about five when I left for college and so they took care of them for the next eight years. They took him for his vaccination every year and he's healthy as the vet can tell. Very happy and lively cat. So anyways, back to last week...the vet, which is the first vet I've seen here in town since I brought him back from CA in 08/03, said he has some teeth problems. Saying that he has some gum missing, gingivitis, and pyorrhea. He told me that he had to perform a teeth extraction or cleaning of some sort (now I could be totally wrong with the teeth extraction and cleaning as I don't remember what exactly he told me needed to be done to Murphy). Now I very well intend to pay whatever I have to to get Murphy better or help prevent pain/sufffering in his life, but he said everything would cost between $200 - $225. And wouldn't the vet in CA that my parents took him to mentioned something like this? I'm not saying I'm cheap or anything, but is $$$ amount right? Should I go to another vet to see? I know that would probably cost me more money to get a second opinion, but I'd like to get some feedback from y'all as I'm out practice with the whole having a pet thing. I'm trying to learn as fast as possible though. Any help or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance...

Since I have owned a lot of cats, been to a lot of a vets during that ownership. Vets in tune with cats, will almost always examine cat's teeth. Other vets, give them a glance or not at all. Dental disease starts in the gums first (just like with us) and is not readily caught unless the owner sees a lot of drooling, pawing, or notices the cat is having problems with eating and drinking. Lots of cat owners brush their cat's teeth daily. There are dental mouthwashes for cats as well as toothpaste that is flavored with chicken or liver.

Extractions are expensive because they have to put the cat completly under, do x-rays then do the work. That price actually sounds about right.

hissy - thanks for the info. Murphy's appt. is this Wednesdays. I know the vet will know the answer to this question, but thought I'd ask just to hav a head start --- will Murphy experience any eating/drinking issues after the procedure? Do they give him something special to eat?

$250 doesn't sound bad, I had my 12 year olds teeth done last year and it cost me $500. I would probably ask for blood work to be done prior if your vet doesn't suggest it first just to be sure there's nothing that would compromize the anasthesia. His gums will likely be a bit tender for a couple of days afterwards so if you give him canned food that will make it easier to eat, you can water it down a bit too. The vet should also give you an antibiotic to use as a followup just so there's no infection (mine gave me Antirobe Aquadrops)

Thanks for the helfpul info GM.

I gave my cat kitty glop for about 4 days after, then canned food after that. If he eats dry now, it is other side of his mouth. He prefers the softer food now, so I accomodate him.

1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatin
1 12 oz can goat's milk
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
3 teaspoons clear karo syrup
3 tablespoons mayonnaise

Boil water, mix in gelatin. Add other ingredients and mix with beater or blender. Serve warm or chilled.

Serve it warm

hissy - WOW!!! Thanks for going out of your way to helping Murphy and me. It is much appreciated...