Afternoon all,

We took Aber to the vets this morning as he's been a grump lately so figured something must be wrong with him. The vet said his teeth look pussy and he would like to do a dental to remove his remaining back tooth.

Aber had a dental in April at the rescue centre before we got him, since then I have been giving him plaque off every day as they told me he had a severe case of gingivitis. They removed 3 teeth (not sure which the records are a bit vague).

Can his teeth have really gone downhill that much in 6 months? Does that mean the first dental wasn't successful?

What I really want to know is should we do it or not, does anyone know of any alternative treatments? If there really is nothing else then we will go for it because I don't want him to be in pain.

Also as it is a previous condition the insurance doesn't cover it, the vet has quoted me anywhere around £200, does that sound right?

We've already lost one cat to anaesthetic this year, I don't think I could cope with another.

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What a nightmare!

I would be inclined to get the dental work done as he is proberly not very comfortable with it, perhaps get in touch with the rescue centre for some financial help if they have not done it properly the first time as I cannot see how it got so bad in such a short time.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

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I can empathise with your situation as my mums poodle was in yesterday having the remainder of its teeth out. Long story but she rescued the dog who was very thin and had dental probs at the age of 5yrs - ex breeding stock. My guess is the poor animal was very run down and the damage was done at an early age. Recurrent gum infections and dental problems are a nightmare (i've only got one wisdom tooth left lol).

I hope whatever happens it works out well for poor Aber. I fully understand your worries about the anaesthetic, remember your thread about loosing your cat

Yip, £150-300 is around the correct mark.... Its the amount of time a dental takes under GA that determines the cost.

A few weeks ago my cat got two teeth pulled and a scale and polish and it was £197.26....

There is really no alternative if a dental is needed, to save your cat ongoing pain...

Though vets are not keen to perform dentals on old cats (13 and over) or ill cats.

If you don't get the dental, and there is puss (indicating infection) a good course of antibotics (antirobe or Amp) will be needed to treat his bad gums... and anti-inflam injection given at regular periods. And repeat courses of AB's throughout his life.

My cats has gingivitis and he needs dentals nearly every year. So the fact your cat has bad gums means he will need regular dentals...sorry!

ps. if your cats bad gums/teeth are left untreated, the infection can weaken your cats heart, and ultimately cause premature death (not wishing to scare you). So the dental health of your cat is of the upmost importance.

Thanks for your replies everyone The vet called yesterday and we booked him in. I knew this would be a regular occurrence just wasn't ready for 6 months! I better get saving for next time!

I am worried about the anaesthetic, my only reassurance being that he's done it before and Oscar hadn't. It just made my heart stop for a second when he said it.

Aber came for a big cuddle just now (why i'm awake so early!!), he hasn't 'spoken' to me in a couple of weeks so it's like he knows we're going to make him better

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Hi, when I posted my reply last night, I hadn't read your profile....

So, I fully understand your concerns with this cat.

You can pay extra to have a test done before the GA (around an extra £40) to check kidney function etc. And run IV fluids through your cat during the GA, to reduce the risk to his kidneys.

These days GA is very safe, and very few die while under (so sorry you have been one of the unlucky ones x x x ) but of course some animals are still lost when a medical condition is undiagnosed, old age, existing heart/kidney conditions or very ill....

Good luck and wishing you and Aber a long and heathy life together!

Thank you Fingers crossed eh. I'm been worrying about this all day, how i'm going to get to and through Friday I don't know :S

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Oh, try not to worry But, can fully understand why you are!

Just try and keep yourself busy on friday, as sitting waiting for the phone to ring is the worst!

You are doing your best by Aber, and a very caring owner!