Dental alternatives - anxious kitty

[orangeblossom]

My vet says my mother's six year old cat has significant tartar and needs a dental appointment (under anaesthesia, etc.). She's been fed only canned food and looking at her teeth, there is a lot of buildup. My vet is shifting his practice focus so there are limited appointments and unfortunately I'd have to call off of work a few weeks into a new job. My mother is unwilling to take the cat herself. This girl kitty has a lot of anxiety...she's easily startled by small noises and hides during thunderstorms. My mother had a dog literally die from separation anxiety at the vet and is freaking out over the thought of dropping the cat off in the morning to be picked up late afternoon, thinking of her scared in a cage. I have tried to reassure her, but I'm worried, too. The kitty was mine through college so she's very familiar and bffs with me - no stranger issues there.

So, is there any good alternative to a dental procedure? Also, anyone with anxious, neurotic cats with stories and tips would be appreciated.

 

[vball91]

Unfortunately, there are no alternatives to a good dental cleaning once there is tartar build-up. You can do things after the cleaning to help prevent tartar from building up again, but once it's there, it's there.

Are there other vets near you that offer more convenient hours for you? Most vets do cleanings. Plus there are dental specialists as well.

 

[denice]

I have to take one of my cats in for a dental tomorrow.  He has one visible FORL and I am sure there will be more once he is asleep and X-rays are taken.  I know how you feel,  I hate taking one of my kitties in for a dental and I hate paying the bill.  They always call when they find other teeth that need to come out before they remove them but what else can I do but say yes.  I am adding the cost to the estimate in my head so I know how much to transfer out of savings.  If she has a huge problem with anxiety maybe the vet would be able to give you a light sedative to give her an hour or so before you leave.  I don't know if they can do that before anesthetic but maybe you could ask.

 

[orangeblossom]

I'm just so fussy about my vet and I was really hoping that he (kinda hippie-crunchy-gentle-holistic) would be able to do the dental. I'm transitioning her to raw and my kitties have always been raw-fed so I'm hoping to minimize the need for many future dental interventions.

Maybe I'm just letting my mother's worry rub off on me. Are dental specialists analogous to human dentists, or are they vets with extra dental training?

The sedative question is a good one to ask, for sure.

 

[vball91]

I can totally understand having a vet you like and trust.

 There are vet dentists that specialize in dental work only. They have a special accreditation (DAVDC). Here's one site that explains it and where to find one. http://www.vetdentists.com/

 

[orangeblossom]

 
I can totally understand having a vet you like and trust.

 There are vet dentists that specialize in dental work only. They have a special accreditation (DAVDC). Here's one site that explains it and where to find one. http://www.vetdentists.com/

Thanks for the link. Sadly, none in my state or close! I talked to the vet office and they use Feliway, so hopefully that will help. I think I just need someone to tell me that cats get dentals all of the time, and that in 99% of the cases it's no. big. deal. Ever feel confident about something until someone starts incessantly, irrationally worrying directly into your ear? This is pretty much what's happening here.

I did realize that I can drop her off and still have plenty of time to get to work, and my father is going to pick her up, so scheduling should be ok.

 

[denice]

One of my kitties had a dental with two extractions today and he is just fine other than my other kitty isn't happy because he has vet smell on him.  My other kitty had a dental about 2 1/2 years ago with five extractions and she is fine.  

 

[tammyp]

Hi OrangeBlossom - don't worry, she'll survive her anxiety!  Logically, if they couldn't, they wouldnt really be felines...who are remarkably adaptive and survive many terrifying things (particularly ferals).  My little kitten went to be spayed two weeks ago, so I know the horrible feeling.  She is so close to us and never gets left alone.  If she thinks she is alone in the house, she starts giving little panicky calls - then I call to her and she runs to where I am and throws herself into my arms.  She's fine if there's someone there, or if Kato (our big boy) is there.  And guess what?  She did survive her spay!  Yes, she was very stressed.  My vet is a feline specialist, cat only clinic, feliway on, the nurses kept climbing into her cage to give her cuddles, and then they gave her a little blanket that she hid under for the whole day.  I put my worn t-shirt into her travel cage and let them know it could be left with her (it's old), so that my smell was with her.  And they also gave her mild sedation to help chill her out as soon as she arrived, so that waiting for the op wasn't so hard. 

The amazing thing you might have to look forward to, was the aftereffects of the pain killer and being reunited.  She purred the hardest I have ever heard, forever!  Butted her head into my underarm to get as close and snuggly to me as she could, and gave the most elaborate love displays.  (Apparently, this pain killer does have that affect!)

Unfortunately, the stress did take a toll and she got a mild flu (cleared in 2 days), then a gastro upset with diahorrea and vomiting.  She needed to go back to the vet for some fluids and a check, and an appetite stimulant.  But, I am happy to say, after a week, she is just fine and dandy.  

I guess what I am trying to say, is, stress does affect cats, but she will survive.  And with love and care, she'll be reaping the better health that her dental work will allow.  Try not to stress yourself (or your cat will also pick up on that)...and...good luck!  You can both do it!

 

[orangeblossom]

Thanks to all who replied. I took her up to get bloodwork and she behaved like a gem - although they took her out of sight and she was probably just really nervous, but she was quiet and calm. Tomorrow is the big day, and I'm feeling a lot more confident about it.