Your experience with predisone daily for Red gums, gingivitis

sherit

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I took peebo to the vet today for his annual shots..

I use Pet Guard for flea prevention that I buy from the company or

online..works the last 3 years for all outdoor cats

Peebo has been doing well to be 8 and half years old

I asked the vet to look at his teeth today as he does not

do that when he just gets his annual shots.

Peebo has red inflamed gums on both sides at the back

I noticed he was sort of throwing his food between his teeth

for some time but he was eating..but with difficulty so that is why

I asked to check his mouth.

He says he has gingivitis which is common in animals

he said to give him 10 mg of predisone each am

as he weights 124 pounds..I asked could we give less due to side

effects as he is a cat that is spooked at anything and also he likes to

eat and we measure out his food..

He said to give 10 mg for 6 days then back down to 5 mg once each am

from now on as long as he is alive. due to the gingivitis

What is your  experience with gingivitis and your thoughts on the predisone

suggestions on side effects to watch for ..how to keep Peebo from not

suffering from hunger due to the prednisone..

Thanks

Sheri/Peebos moma
 

denice

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I had never heard of giving steroids for gingivitis only for stomatitis.  Did the vet say anything about a dental to remove the tarter on his teeth.
 
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sherit

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no he did not mention anything else to me

I had to ask questions..

I suppose he is trying to get the inflammation down with steriods

I appreciate your replying and will research more and

ask another vet too..and read replys on here from others..

Thank you again

sheriT
 

lisahe

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Our two cats also had inflamed gums and gingivitis... our vet cleaned their teeth and recommended we start brushing their teeth. They're very young (two years) to have had such bad gums so she also tested them for the Bartonella bacterium, which they did have; we gave them a three-week course of antibiotics, with the hope it will help clear up their gum issues. Our vet says she's seen some cats' dental issues improve dramatically after treatment for Bartonella. Treating Bartonella is apparently something fairly new and even, I guess, a little controversial. We're just getting started on brushing their teeth: the cats love the flavor of the toothpaste and like to lick it off the toothbrushes, so that's a good start!

All that said, our vet never said anything about using Prednisone if nothing improves. I think it's definitely worth getting a second opinion, @SheriT... I'm not at all familiar with cat dental issues beyond what I outlined above but daily Prenisone forever sounds a little drastic to me, particularly without any cleaning or tooth brushing. Good luck!
 

haze n blaze

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Our two cats also had inflamed gums and gingivitis... our vet cleaned their teeth and recommended we start brushing their teeth. They're very young (two years) to have had such bad gums so she also tested them for the Bartonella bacterium, which they did have; we gave them a three-week course of antibiotics, with the hope it will help clear up their gum issues. Our vet says she's seen some cats' dental issues improve dramatically after treatment for Bartonella. Treating Bartonella is apparently something fairly new and even, I guess, a little controversial. We're just getting started on brushing their teeth: the cats love the flavor of the toothpaste and like to lick it off the toothbrushes, so that's a good start!
Did the stomatitis improve after the course of antibiotic? Do you know which bartonella test your vet did? I've been given 3 diff test to choose from ranging $100-300 and don't know how to choose. Can't really afford any of them but want to know your opinion
 

lisahe

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Did the stomatitis improve after the course of antibiotic? Do you know which bartonella test your vet did? I've been given 3 diff test to choose from ranging $100-300 and don't know how to choose. Can't really afford any of them but want to know your opinion
The cats didn't have stomatitis, just gingivitis and "mild to moderate periodontal disease." One cat's was much worse than the others, though. We just finished the antibiotics a week and a half ago so it's too early to say if the medication helped... and I'm not very good at looking at their teeth anyway!

As for the Bartonella test, I looked it up: it was National Labs. $60 per cat.

Since @SheriT asked a few questions in a PM, here are a few other things:

-I got a CET toothbrush kit that included seafood toothpaste, a regular brush, and finger brush. I just started training them on toothbrushing, loosely using the Cornell method. (link) The cats seem pretty okay with it after just trying the toothpaste and gnawing on the brush a little, so I've started with a little brushing. Fingers crossed, but it's going okay. I think one of the tricks is to find a toothpaste the cats like and then give a treat of some sort after the brushing. Our cat with the worse teeth absolutely loves the toothpaste, which is a big plus. She's a squirmy cat so we'll see how things go.

-Tooth cleaning costs at our vet's range... ours were a little under $300 per cat, though we get a few extras, like the IV catheter and injectable antibiotics. Also included were laser therapy, sealing, fluoride treatment, etc. A lot of the cost depends on how much work a cat needs; each extraction would be extra. I remember one TCS member saying a nearby vet does cheap dental cleanings because bad teeth can cause so many very serious problems.

I hope that's helpful! Dental treatments for cats are something new for me, though I've had two previous cats that lost teeth... something that didn't really seem to faze the vets those cats saw. Though it probably should have!

Good luck!
 
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sherit

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Hi Lisa and Kelley and others

update on Peebo

I took him to another vet for second opinion

They said they usually do a cleaning of the teeth

and an antibiotic shot during cleaning and

used a gas form of anesthesia.

they said they would not put a cat on steroids daily for gingivitis

and they do give a one time steroid shot at times but I did not want that for Peebo and told them

that once the steroid shot is given it last up to 3 weeks and he could not get it out of his system

if he had an adverse reaction. He is a anxious and somewhat paranoid cat

and the main vet agreed with  my observation...and the long acting steroid shot situation..

Peebo did well and was not over sedated

I picked him up 4 hours later and he was able to walk

when I got him home and used the bathroom to urinate

within 5 hours after the surgery and then ate a small amount

of moistened with water dry food.as they suggested.

I can not see inside his mouth myself or he would bite me

to see how his once  inflamed red gums look before the cleaning

but he seems much happier now

they did follow up to see how he was and of course I told her I can not look inside

his mouth but that he appears to feel better.

So thanks for answering my plea on this site for advice or thoughts or help

SheriT and Peebo

 

pushylady

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I'm glad you got a second opinion! Hopefully this surgery will help Peebo longterm, and obviously it's great that you're not having to pill him every day for the rest of his life.
 

Freedom

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as he weights 124 pounds..
I'm still stuck on your typo!  Ha ha haaa, that is some cat!  Is he 12, or 14 pounds?  Never heard of steroids for gum issues, very pleased you went to another vet and got the dental done.  You are a good Cat Mom!
 
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sherit

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HI Freedom

I despise this keyboard so yes I made a typo LOL LOL

Peebo weighs 24 pounds!

He does not over eat ...he does not ever get over l cup of total

food a day or l 1/4 all day ...

He is  just a  big cat the vet says...

I had to sign in just to reply to you and to tell you I am laughing too

at the type of 124 pounds for Peebos weight....

LOL

Glad you got tickled at that typo.Peebo just went out to the barn and rolled in the dirt and he is totally ash colored and dirty right now and it wil take a whole roll of paper towell wet and dry to clean him up to come inside to spend the night as usual with his 2 brothers..

Whole lot of cat to clean up with paper towels and scrubbing him down to remove a ton of sand and clay off him..

Have a good day

sheri and Peebo, Leo and BRO
 
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sherit

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Dear Pushy lady

your cat is gorgeous and thank you...

for caring about Peebo

SheriT
 

yoohoora

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I giggled when I saw 124 pounds, too. 

My kitten has advanced gingivitis.  I'm just trying to figure out how to approach it.  Two vets say surgery to extract his teeth.  :(  But we're waiting a bit before we decide which route to take.  The one vet said his teeth might just fall out on their own. So hard to know when he's this young. (Nine months now.  I got him at four months.)  And I'm financially strapped, too.  The pet insurance I have for him won't cover it, even though he's been insured since I got him.  They say it's preexisting.  :(  The shelter never disclosed his health issues to me. 

Luckily he's still eating with a healthy appetite...soft and dry food.  The vet said that was an indicator of pain, and if he stopped eating, I was to bring him in immediately.  But he has aggression issues with my older cat.  I worry it's related to his gums and teeth.  He has a recessed jaw, too. 

I just worry about his pain, and if the disease will spread into his jaw.  :(  He's so young to have to deal with this.  I feel so much for him. 
 
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sherit

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I sure wish I had a windfall of money to help you out...you did not ask of course

but I would help if I could..

None of us want to see an animal in pain due to teeth or anything else

wrong with them.

Thanks for writing and keep us updated on your kitty..

SheriT
 

yoohoora

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Thanks, Sheri.  No, I'm not asking for money.  But emotional support goes a long way.  :) 
 
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sherit

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Hi

I knew you were not asking for financial help

I have had to ask before for neutering costs

from a lady twice over the years..

and everytime she sees me she is so nice to me

and never looks down on me...

after the cats were neutered..... a year later I was able

to give  her boxes of inherited items to sell for their

animal shelter..and there were many nice items in there

from china to other items..

and she never forgot ..

when you do a kindness

sometimes you get  even more back than you give..

you surely have my compassion and my emotional support..

and also Peebo, Bro and Leo's too!

SheriT
 
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