Hi me and my partner have recently taken on board a cat from an unwanted home called Lulu.

Upon getting her home we noticed a very strong unpleasant smell coming from her mouth which we think is being caused by gingivitis.

We took Lulu to the vet who has given her some medication called Metronidazole which i have read can fight the infection.

However we have Lulu insured on our tesco pet insurance policy which does not cover dental. I am very worried about the potential cost to have Lulu treated and what could possibly be involved eg teeth removed, anasthetic etc.

Does anyone have experience of this and the potential associated costs.

Many thanks.

I have not had a cat with this but my neighbour did. She had to feed her soft foods as the cat couldn't bite hard biscuits etc, she didn't have any teeth removed. Does the insurance not cover any dental cost at all? They usually say preventative treatment isn't covered but necessary treatment is.

Hi thanks for the reply - Lulu is still eating like a horse which is strange, she will eat both meat pouches and biscuits.

Its a pain to give her the tablet but i have noticed the problem on one side of her mouth which looks greeny/grey and very unpleasant.

Unfortunatly tesco and most other pet insurers in past experience dont cover dental unless it is an accident eg the cat breaks a tooth on a stone.

I dont mind paying what it costs to make her better as i want her to have a new start with a loving family id just like a ball park figure of what we could be looking at.

My Yorkie had 2 baby teeth out last year she's smaller than a cat and it cost £120 don't know about cats but can't be that much different. Does she take her tablet or do you have to put it down her throat?

Unfortunatly she wont take her tablet she eats round it - i really hate having to give it to her as she gets so distressed.

Im thinking for the next dose to crush the tablet into a powder and sprinkle it over her wet food.

Yes you could crush it and add it to the food, if you do, just put it in a tiny bit of food first to make sure it gets eaten, then give the rest of the food. We used to wrap the cat in a towel and put the tablet down the throat and then give the food.