Question:
The vet suggests I have my 6 year-old cat put under general anesthesia to
have his teeth cleaned. This seems like an unnecessary risk and expense.
My dads sisters's cats usually made it into their very late teens and never
had this done?
Answer:
If your cat needs a dental cleaning and it is not done, you are putting her
at risk. All cats differ in age for when they need a cleaning. If you're
concerned, you can always get a 2nd opinion from another vet. Gingivitis is
only one of the risks you are putting your cat under by not having it done.
Imagine how you'd feel if your teeth were covered with tartar... Your cat
could develop an infection, which in cats can become fatal quickly.
My Baby Girl who is 5 years old now, has had her teeth clean 3 times. Once a
year, since she seemed to build up tartar quickly. Yesterday, I looked at her
teeth, as it's getting close to cleaning time again, and lo and behold, her
teeth are beautiful. Must be the Nutro!!! She chews on it, which was
something she never did before. I was absolutely amazed, running around
checking other kitties teeth, and theirs are in much, much better shape also.
Now all I have to do is get up the nerve to buy that toothbrush and use it!!!!
Maybe I won't have to do anymore cleanings!!! Has anyone else noticed this? My
kitties have been eating Nutro Max & Nutro odor control for the last 5 months.
(I can NEVER get my hands on Innova!) Before that they ate crap food like
Friskies and Purina Cat Chow as I didn't know any better. Sure makes it
worthwhile to me, spending the extra money on food, instead of yearly teeth
cleaning!
Dental health depends on diet and genetics, too, not just age. You can see
for yourself if there is heavy buildup on your kitty's gum line (yellow or
orange) or if her gums are red and inflamed. When necessary, cleaning can
prevent decay, abcesses, tooth loss, etc. Just remember how painful a
toothache is for yourself.....
Cats are very adept at hiding pain. My older cat was acting just fine, eating,.
etc. When we went for his annual check up the vet said his gums were bad and he
needed 2 or 3 teeth extracted. I scheduled the procedure for the following week
and now that he really feels great he's a new cat.
I clean his teeth and gums every other day now to keep him in good shape.
Please take your vet's advice and have it done. There are worse consequences
beyond just the teeth and gums.
Mine do eat Nutro -- have noticed a difference in dandruff but not anything
else. They are all on distilled water because Nightshade (the male)
developed bladder stones when we moved to Texas and cost me over $1,200,
ended up in surgery and the vets wanted to split open his penis and suture
it open theorectically so the ureter would be shorter and he could pass
urine easier and less risk of developing bladder stones again. I said no,
just remove the stones and put him on distilled water -- that has been four
years ago and he is fine.
Its not that I mind the teeth cleaning -- it is the general anesthsia which
carries risk that concerns me.
