Broken Canine Tooth

We got a new cat about 6 months ago. Just today I noticed that she now has one of her top canines broken about a 3rd of the way up. When we got her from someone we were told she was bottle fed when she was a kitten and since she's been a pet in 6 homes (and only 6 years old) she's probably didn't always have the best health. I'm certain I would've noticed the broken tooth if she had it when we got her.

Having said that, I'm not sure what to do. I called the vet today and they said we could bring her in, but they'd either send us home w/pain meds or pull the tooth if we wanted. I didn't take her in because I felt like it would be worse for her to have no upper right canine tooth rather that a partial tooth. Now, reading online I'm worrying about it becoming infected or that maybe she's in a lot of pain because the dentin is exposed (I don't see a root exposure). It's at least a third of the tooth and I'm not sure if it broke due to poor dental health, biting something hard, or because she can't can't handle jumping from high heights. There are times I've held her and she's jumped down prematurely onto tile floor. After reading online, I feel like she could've broker her tooth that way by having her jaw hit the floor since her front arms can't support the high jump. Has anyone had their cat break their canine tooth before and been able to keep it? I am really worried about her and planning to take her to the vet when they open again during the week. 

Don't panic about it if she seems all right and is eating. Several of my cats have broken canine teeth over hte years, and sometimes the vet has decided to do nothing, sometimes we have taken them out. It depends on how much has gone and whether the break is likely to cause infection. So I would take the cat to the vet and let them decide.

This poor cats seems to have had a very bad life so far. Do you know why she has had so many homes? Does she have any known problems? You are very good to take her in.

Thank you for your reply! That makes me feel better that it's more common than I ever knew. I'm not sure why she's lived in so many homes. The last home had to give her away because they were moving and could only have one cat in the home they were moving to. Since they had just gotten her a couple months prior, they decided to give her away. 

So far the only issue was when we initially took her to the vet, one of her little teeth in the back was cracked and they had to pull it because it was abscessed. She was drooling and only eating on one side of her mouth. The roof of her mouth is white, but the vet didn't say anything about that. After reading the other threads about sinatitus that got me worried too, but I don't think she has those symptoms. 

She also kind of "snorts" sometimes seeming like she might have sinus issues or something. But, other than that we weren't sure because she's been passed around so much her health has been unknown. I'm assuming she may not have always had the best care But she seems happy now and this home is permanent for her.  

I hate people who see animals as disposable. OK, sometimes it is unavoidable for health reasons or whatever, but often that is not the case.
What you say about her mouth being white and her sneezing or 'snorting' makes me think she might have an infection, possibly though not necessarily linked to the tooth, so I would take her in to be checked. Thank you for giving this girl a permanent home.

I know what you mean, it really bothers me too when people get rid of pets for ridiculous reasons ad can't commit. I could tell at least that the last home she was in, it was really hard for them to give her away. They were extremely picky about where she was going to go because she has lived in way too many homes. And it was hard for them because they had already bonded with her during those 2 months they had her. So it's nice they scrutinized the possible new owners to make sure she'd be there forever to end it once in for all. 

Thanks for your comments on that. We are happy to give her a home as she is so great! And we will definitely take her first thing this week to the vet. Thanks for the advice

JennyR said:

I hate people who see animals as disposable. OK, sometimes it is unavoidable for health reasons or whatever, but often that is not the case.
What you say about her mouth being white and her sneezing or 'snorting' makes me think she might have an infection, possibly though not necessarily linked to the tooth, so I would take her in to be checked. Thank you for giving this girl a permanent home.

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I have to agree with JennyR. I was thinking of a sinus infection caused by an abscess tooth. That would be the broken one. 

Many cats do not have canine teeth. They do adjust.

Bless you for taking this little one into your home and your heart. She has had a very hard life.. ((hugs))

Our previous cat lost a canine -- we have no idea how and only discovered it one day when she yawned and there was no fang! -- and did just fine without it. I have no idea how it came out so cleanly and painlessly, particularly since this was a cat who was never lacking for attention!

I had another cat who broke a back tooth (I think it was) and developed an abscess: the first sign was an eye that was very slightly runny and closed, followed (very quickly!) by that side of her face swelling. The vet pulled her teeth and gave her antibiotics and she did fine without her tooth, too.

Good luck!