Outdoor cat in vet from bad dental issues

There's an outdoor cat I have been caring for 9 years outside that was abandoned, he was abandoned at age 2 so is now 11. As of age 10 he was very healthy, but this year suddenly he has been having difficulty eating and I saw blood and pus leaking from his mouth and I can see weight loss.
After months of having to wait to bring him in due to financial reasons I got him in. He went from 16 pounds to 7! He has at least 5 rotten teeth in the back, side and canine teeth, and when they do surgery and clean and do X-rays they suspect there might be more bad teeth. He already had a few teeth rot out on their own. [emoji]128549[/emoji] They are doing blood tests just to rule out anything that could be causing this besides old age.

For now he is being boarded at the vet until surgery which I know he hates but it's the only way. The vets gave him a Convenia shot being he probably has some infection in his mouth, they wouldn't give oral antibiotics to him I asked, but Mabye in this case he needs the strong working shot. I am giving probiotics.
After surgery they will give him pain killers for a few days and dissolve stitch his gums where teeth are extracted.

My concern is living outside with few teeth he can't defend himself and if he will be able to eat properly? I feed blue wilderness dry kibble which is small and round and also the canned food (pate and cuts). I hope he can eat both foods because outside he has competition from other stray cats and needs to maintain a healthy weight.
Nobody wanted to adopt him all these years and I'm worried if in the future more teeth go bad he won't make it, it's times like this he needs to be safe and outside he is hard to monitor his health but I cannot adopt him.

Another question is should I get him a medicated flea bath before bringing him home or just a regular bath? I don't want anything reacting with the antibiotics. He is longhair and because of the foul odor from his mouth his body reeks and I want him cleaned up.
The vet prescribed Revolution which kills internal and external parasites and could upset his stomach and with antibiotics and weight loss is it safe?

I would think if the Vet prescribed the Revolution, knowing he is about to have the surgery, it must be ok, they are the best folks to answer that question.

Cats without ANY teeth can eat kibble, or so I've been told.  Will he still have his fangs?  Is he neutered?  If so, he shouldn't really be getting into any cat fights, and if he has his claws and his fangs, he should have most of protection right there, I would think.

for the poor old guy

The vet did surgery last night after all testing he had. His bloodwork, urine, fecal, and stomach sonogram all came back normal. He got his ears cleaned and around 6 teeth removed. He is on painkillers and Iv fluids to get his body back in shape. Vet said he ate a whole cup of dry food and wet. Now in a day or two he will be bathed and if off painkillers he eats he can go home by Monday.

Glad he came thru the surgery fine and is already eating well.

He came home today! His gums have been healing nicely, and he already gained two pounds! He's sleeping in his cat house and his buddy is looking for him, but he smells like the vet office so it might take a few days until his friend recognizes him.

bugmankeith said:

He came home today! His gums have been healing nicely, and he already gained two pounds! He's sleeping in his cat house and his buddy is looking for him, but he smells like the vet office so it might take a few days until his friend recognizes him.

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Wonderful and reassuring news!  I hope he makes a full recuperation and can join his buddy.