Tooth extraction and lethargy?

peagreenboat82

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 8, 2015
Messages
81
Purraise
17
Location
Philadelphia
Hi, folks! My older cat (a little more than 11.5 years) had 4 teeth extracted during his dental cleaning last Monday. He was given pain medication for two days afterwards and seemed to do well. He is eating and drinking and even played a little the last couple of days with Da Bird. But he doesn't seem like himself yet. He's been extra needy (very insistent upon sitting on my lap much more than usual) and unusually lethargic. Does anyone know about how long it can take for a cat to recover from tooth extractions or if I should be worried about a possible infection? I just don't want to wait too long if he could be sick. He just seems awful lethargic still. I'll call my vet when he's available but thought I'd check here too. Thanks! :)
 

sivyaleah

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
6,259
Purraise
5,222
Location
New Jersey
Unusual behavior after being under anesthesia is not uncommonl at all.  It can take more than a few days for some cats to get back to what you know as normal.

Common things you may find are being more clingy than usual, hyperactivity or hiding, more or less vocal than usual, obsessive behaviors *my female tortie got totally got fixated on our basement door), seemingly hungry all the time, and others out of character behaviors.  

Both of mine have had several extractions and each time acted pretty weird for days.  My tortie didn't purr for an entire week, and usually she's got quite the motor.

As long has he's eating, drinking and eliminating normally there's no cause for alarm.  I'd give it another couple of days - you should see improvement by then.
 
Last edited:
Top