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help!!! should I let my cat have surgery?

post #1 of 9
1/27/02 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
I have a 17 year old male cat that my vet says needs some dentistry work. The blood work came back good, his organs are good and so is his heart, the problem is his age, he might not make it through the surgery. He doesn't seem to be in pain, he does eat, he just snacks alot instead of one big meal. This cat is very special to me and I'm afraid that he won't make it and if I put off the surgery that at least he will have lived a longer life. He is still a loving and playfull cat and I would miss him terribly and forever blame myself if he didn't make it through the surgery. Help me make the decision.
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post #2 of 9
1/27/02 at 3:53pm
Thread Starter 
The vet said that there is about a 50 50 chance he will make it because of his age.
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post #3 of 9
1/27/02 at 5:37pm
There are different types of anesthetics and some are safer than others, I have also heard that sometimes a sedative can be used for dental work done on animals. You might want to talk more with your vet before you make a final decision. I had the vet clean my cat Midnight's teeth when she was 13 years old. The vet used a gas anesthetic for safety, and Midnight was awake and sitting up 1/2 hour after the procedure. When I picked her up later that afternoon, she was fully recovered from the anesthetic.
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post #4 of 9
1/27/02 at 7:48pm
I would weigh the options. Did the vet give a good reason for dental work? Does he have any teeth that HAVE to be pulled or does the vet just feel that the teeth need to be cleaned? If there is discomfort on his part, then yes I would probably have his teeth cleaned. Provided that they use gas rather than an injectable. If the vet would just like to get his teeth cleaned, I would ask your vet about a gel you can use on his teeth to help get them clean without the aggrivation of brushing.
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post #5 of 9
1/28/02 at 12:04pm
Get a second opinion. Try calling a reputable no kill pro-animal shelter and asking them for a vet referral.

It just seems like if he isn't having a problem, then why do it?

To put in in another perspective, would you go in for an elective surgery like that, and you aren't really experiencing any problems or difficulties, and you had a 50/50 chance of surviving?
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post #6 of 9
1/29/02 at 8:12pm
Is it a life threatening dental problem? My cat had 4 teeth removed when he was 12..he did fine- but the teeth were rotting out and he had to have them removed (FOR THE RECORD: we had a vet that told us how wonderful the cat's teeth were and clean, we discovered the truth when we changed vets). Best wishes
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post #7 of 9
1/31/02 at 7:46pm
I just got some good messages back from vet techs and people re my 18-yr old cat. He has a heart murmer and the vet advised against dental surgery. However, if the heart and blood work is good i think it's really good to go for a cleaning. I would insist on iso-fluorine sedation tho, it is only used as much as needed, is inhaled and the cat recovers instantly, doesn't hurt kidneys etc. and i would ask how many years the vet has done teeth.
I could forward the replies i got but i'd say this advice sums it up since replies i got said go for it even with the murmer. I don't have enough money and I am still nervous about the murmer myself. It's a benign murmer too and always was there, maybe a bit worse over time.
All the best.
The odds are better than they say since they don't want to be responsible, but the two things i said are super important.
best wishes !!
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post #8 of 9
2/6/02 at 1:01pm
I don't want to scare anyone, but I had a cat (she was 16 years old) who died last year from anesthesia. The worst part was the vet never told me about the risk. It was a minor procedure (not even surgery -- she had a severely impacted gland), but she wouldn't let the vet touch her, so he suggested anesthesia. I assumed she would be fine. When he came out to the waiting room and told me she had died, I was totally shocked.

I will probably never let another vet give my (two new kitties) anesthesia unless its absolutely necessary.
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post #9 of 9
2/6/02 at 10:23pm
I would do as Alicia has mentioned and take heed from all the great advice here. For some strange reason, I don't even see why the kitty would need dental work unless he's in pain. If he's eating, drinking and alert...as the old saying goes, it it's not broken, don't fix it.

As far as anesthisa, it's very risky and I'd be very frightened if my vet gave me a 50 50 chance. I say brush his teeth...be happy

Hugs,
Cat
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