Teeth cleaning and anesthesia

I know teeth cleaning w/o anesthesia is considered bad practise for many reasons. I'm extremely worried about my moggy undergoing anesthesia though, especially since he already has kidney problems. However his teeth don't look too good-- I've been trying to clean them as best I can, but some of the plaque just won't budge.

I know it's either anesthesia- or no cleaning at all.. is there a 'middle way'? Perhaps a sedative that can be taken instead?

I don't really know for sure, but a few thoughts.

You want to be sure he won't be in pain either, I know I sure wouldn't want to go through dental anything without something.

But maybe giving acepromazine to relax him and then numbing his mouth like people get?

This is a tough question, the vets who do dental work might be able to give you better answers and what they can/can't do.

Teeth do need to be cared for, or future issues will be much bigger/worse down the road of course.

I don't know what all the other vets do but where I work we will only do it under full anesthesia.  If you are concerned then I would recommend getting a pre-anesthetic blood panel done, and making sure they use an anesthesia catheter.    

My Sara has a bad tooth, but due to her CKD, hyper-t and heart murmur, and we ended up not going through the procedure to have her tooth pulled and a dental done. Too many what-ifs, and I feel bad that she has so many problems preventing it.

I would absolutely have blood work done beforehand if she has issues.

I agree on the blood work! I think our vet requires it before dental cleanings.

Chiming in to say anesthesia is a must.  

Our older cat is nearly 15.  He's had 2 dentals in the past year or so. Both times he had pre-op testing to make sure he was able to withstand being put under. This last time he also had his heart monitored during the procedure - after a certain age they do in the practice I go to.  He came through both just fine.

Our approx. 8 year old (not really sure how old she really is) just had her first one and had the pre-op also.  She also had no problems.

Was I worried? Of course.  But once I knew they were in pain I had to take care of them, regardless of my fears.  

It really is essential to have it done this way and it is hard to avoid unless one is cleaning their cats teeth since kittenhood.  Which sadly, I suspect most are not.  

Let us know how everything turns out.

Thanks everyone for sharing your suggestions and experiences!

I absolutely understand the worry. My Jumbo had been on and off food since the beginning of last year. I didn't really know what was wrong. The vet ruled out hyperthyroidism with a T4 in May. By mid-September I knew he needed a dental, but I was worried because I still didn't know why he was barely eating. I decided to take him in for blood work before scheduling a dental. That came back with CREA at 2.6 in the high range. Everything else was still in the normal range. I of course took to the internet to research kidney disease in cats and worried even more about going forward with a dental on him. A couple weeks later, he was chasing one of my other cats and slammed his face into the kitchen cabinets and broke off his UL canine. That was a Thursday night. I got him to the vet the next day to get it checked up. They said he needed to have the rest of the root extracted. That was scheduled for the following Monday and they did a cleaning as well. They assured me that extra fluids would be used as a precaution. I was still worried and pretty much cried the whole day. He came through it fine. He still didn't want to eat for about week after until his mouth healed up. So I think definitely get a blood panel done and talk with your vet about what precautions will be taken during a dental for your kitty's stage of CKD. Good luck!

I had my first cat for almost 18 years and never got her teeth cleaned (I'd never even heard of needing to do that before I joined this site!)  But next month, I'm going to take my 6-1/2 year old in for his first teeth cleaning under anesthesia.  The vet showed me his teeth--his gums are red and I can see all the tartar.  The whole thing will be $500, including blood work, the IV catheter, pain meds, etc.  They're even throwing in a complimentary pedicure.  

I talked to her about safety and how the procedure works and all that.  I'm nervous about it, but I'd rather have them cleaned now than wait until he starts having real dental problems and needs them extracted or something.   

betsygee said:

 
I had my first cat for almost 18 years and never got her teeth cleaned (I'd never even heard of needing to do that before I joined this site!)  But next month, I'm going to take my 6-1/2 year old in for his first teeth cleaning under anesthesia.  The vet showed me his teeth--his gums are red and I can see all the tartar.  The whole thing will be $500, including blood work, the IV catheter, pain meds, etc.  They're even throwing in a complimentary pedicure.  

I talked to her about safety and how the procedure works and all that.  I'm nervous about it, but I'd rather have them cleaned now than wait until he starts having real dental problems and needs them extracted or something.   

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Wow! $500 I imagine the most expensive part of the entire procedure is the   anesthesia. I am saving like crazy to to survive in retirement in a year and trying to get everything paid off, I feel bad I can`t afford 

teeth cleaning for my 3 cats and 2 dogs, I spend the $$ on premium food and vaccinations so for the most part do right for them as I can.....luckily none of them have dental issues (but I do worry knowing

their organs can be effected by a bad mouth) the oldest ones are 15, 12 years old. I have been saving the last 6 months for a dental procedure I need. But if ever one of them really need it I would

have to use my credit card as I would never deny something they are in need of, I am responsible for their health and quality of life. 

lmj1954 said:

 

betsygee said:

 
I had my first cat for almost 18 years and never got her teeth cleaned (I'd never even heard of needing to do that before I joined this site!)  But next month, I'm going to take my 6-1/2 year old in for his first teeth cleaning under anesthesia.  The vet showed me his teeth--his gums are red and I can see all the tartar.  The whole thing will be $500, including blood work, the IV catheter, pain meds, etc.  They're even throwing in a complimentary pedicure.  

I talked to her about safety and how the procedure works and all that.  I'm nervous about it, but I'd rather have them cleaned now than wait until he starts having real dental problems and needs them extracted or something.   

Click to expand...

Wow! $500 I imagine the most expensive part of the entire procedure is the   anesthesia. I am saving like crazy to to survive in retirement in a year and trying to get everything paid off, I feel bad I can`t afford 

teeth cleaning for my 3 cats and 2 dogs, I spend the $$ on premium food and vaccinations so for the most part do right for them as I can.....luckily none of them have dental issues (but I do worry knowing

their organs can be effected by a bad mouth) the oldest ones are 15, 12 years old. I have been saving the last 6 months for a dental procedure I need. But if ever one of them really need it I would

have to use my credit card as I would never deny something they are in need of, I am responsible for their health and quality of life. 

Click to expand...

A dental cleaning isn't something every cat or dog needs every year so don't feel bad Imj1954. My boy, Sgt. Pepper is 9 years old and the vet has yet to say he needs one. My girl, Boogie Bear, had one done at age 6.  She probably would've been just fine without the cleaning at that time, but the vet and techs kind of guilt you into it and they were offering 20% off if done within a month after her annual check-up. She's 10 now and just saw the vet a week ago and her teeth are still looking good and didn't need another for now. I think Jumbo is 8 years old give or take and unfortunately, has needed 2 so far in my 4 years of having him.That's due to the excessive stomach acid and vomiting damaging his teeth. $500 sounds about right for blood work and cleaning, at least in my area. Jumbo's blood work and liver tests have been about $80-90 a pop and the cleaning was around $400 plus $10-100 per extraction if needed plus $20+ for antibiotics if extractions are needed.

My vets charging around $360 for the denttals which includes everything, including an ecg?ekg? For their hearts. I think for my cats first dentals i will take them to the regular vet and after that il take them to the low cost clinics.