19 year old Coco Kitty smells & paws at mouth

[satori14u]

Hi,  Coco is 19 now. I have had her since she's been about 4 weeks old.    I seen she was pawing at her mouth about 3 months ago and took her to the vet.  Vet said she had a chipped fang tooth but no infection.  Her bladder was a little enlarged.  Vet said she didn't seem in pain.  She has always been a small kitty at about 5 pounds.   I have always free fed her mostly dry food.   I found that this was very bad for her and now just give her canned food.  She seems to have a good appetite of 2 to 3 3oz. cans a day.   She has been pawing at her mouth more often now and has a horrible odor.   At this age I don't want to do anything to extreme for her health like having her put under for tooth extraction etc.   However,  I want her to enjoy her last days not in pain.  She sleeps more but still get around fine, Suns every day on a tall cat tree she has to make about a 4' jump to get where she suns,  has a healthy appetite, shiny coat,  plays occasionally and uses her litter box.  I brush her and have used a wet paper towel to wipe her face, nose and mouth and I also give her Colloidal Silver drops in food and water.  
1.  How to know if she is in Pain or has an infection?
2.  How to dry groom / clean her to keep smell in check?
3.  Anything else I can do for her?
Thanks for your feedback / help :)!
Kim

[satori14u]

Thank you for the speedy response.   I tried the vet but already closed for the night.   I will call 1st thing tomorrow.  I will get her a pain Med tomorrow one way or another.  A little concerned about the Burprenex as shows it's pretty strong stuff.  Is this like fentanyl for humans?  
She has had the constipation off and on for years.  I have given her the canned food with pumpkin but she really didn't like it much.  Will have to try the Miralax.  I was just thinking for human dental problems they usually give you antibiotics and pain meds.   Asked the vet if I could give her oral gel and they said NO...but why she didn't suggest a pain med if it got worse perplexes me...she charged me $60 to look at her for 5 minutes...and didn't really say or suggest much...except " she had a chipped fang tooth but no infection.  Her bladder was a little enlarged and she didn't seem in pain. "   Are there any test I should have them run?
Thanks again,
Kim

[opus88]

well the pawing at her mouth indicates its bothering her....and the smell, than something is wrong. both strongly indicate dental decay. did you tell the Vet abt both these symptoms?
if you did than this Vet is really very incompetent IMO.

If there is an infection you would notice some swelling with red gums near the fang  and perhaps a discharge of pus?
a good visual can usually notice that pretty easily.

if not than its nerve related and very painful.
yes buprenex is a narcotic. it is usually prescribed after dental work is done...for short periods!!!!
it can also be used long term, but yes its pretty strong stuff your right. the only other choice is to have the tooth removed. At 19 I can see your reluctance to do this, however you cannot leave her suffer either.

if possible I would try another Vet and tell them exactly what her symptoms are, make sure they probe the tooth....that will soon show if she's in pain there or not...

There really isn't any test...if its dental pain....I still say IF b/c I am only guessing by the symptoms you describe, of course it could be something else, but pawing at the mouth and oral odor are strong indications!!!!

[satori14u]

I will see if I can get her in Today and make sure they probe the tooth / teeth.  She didn't smell as bad when I had 1st taken her in for the tooth...but had said she was pawing and howling about it and that is why I had taken her in... If it is the tooth do you think I should have it pulled...Do older cats do well with being put under usually?  The fang is chipped and sharp on the end... should I file it...The Vet said they really had no good way to deal with the chipped fang tooth....didn't see any puss...but she won't let me look more than a few seconds at a time...The silver I give her is Sovereign Silver Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol Dropper 10 Ppm.  My niece gave it her cat after $700 of tests at the Vet only to be told they have no idea what was wrong.  He has been fine for over a year now.  So, I started giving it to Coco last March as she didn't seem to have much of an appetite after her 17 year old daughter kitty had passed.  It seemed like she was in depression.  I give her like 2 drops in her water or food daily and then about 2x a week give her a drop or 2 in the mouth.  From what I know they use it to clean dialysis machines and give it to military personal as part of the survival kit to purify water.  I use it as an immune system booster myself.  
I appreciate your feedback on this and am really thinking I should have taken her elsewhere for a second opinion...I hope she hasn't been in pain this whole time as it's been about 2 months since it started and I took her in last... and the vet assured me she didn't seem in pain!
  

[opus88]

good I'm glad you are getting her into a Vet asap....I know you want whats best for your kitty.
at 19 years old anesthetics are risky IMO....you will have to talk this over with your Vet.  after they examine that tooth better and give you a better diagnosis.
NO don't try to file that tooth, it won't help anyway...the pain is inside where the nerve is...

yes I know abt Collodial Silver and use it in mixed in a paste for my cats teeth..just a tiny drop with COQ10, its good if there is any gingivitis present.

You must be using the brand Natural Immunogenics right?....its a good choice...and 10 ppm is safe.
Wellness is also a good brand.

let us know what the Vet says today. and good luck:)

[zodiacqueen]

Hi, I've been following this post.  I really think you should get a second opinion, and I believe that is what your gut is telling you to do as well.  I also think that the tooth might be able to be safely pulled, if the vet finds her heart and kidneys to be in decent shape.  We had an 18 yr old cat go in for a tooth extraction and she also had a heart murmur.  She did fine and our vet was nervous putting her under.  She did fine and had no weird side effects that I can remember.

I've also had to deal with constipation with my last 18 yr old kitty.  My vet had me give her docusate sodium.  This can be purchased over the counter.  I can't remember the actual mg of the dosing and you have to be extremely careful that is the ONLY ingredient.  Of course, ask your vet first.  He'll know the right mg for Coco.

Please, keep us updated.

ZQ

[satori14u]

I called the Cat Clinic and the vet she had seen before was no longer with them.  I talked to another vet there and he said bring her in.   So, just got back.  He notice Tarter on her back teeth and pulled it off both sides with his nails.  Said she looked fine and didn't need any Medication.  I am soooo Grateful he found the problem and to know she hasn't been in pain.  Discomfort from tater build up but not nerve pain nor infections.  He said the teeth look nice and white.   I am very happy pet owner/slave (lol) today :)!  He said to give her Temptations and some dry food with her wet food and that should help.   Hope this helps others with older cats pawing at mouth and smelling just rank....  Thank you all so much for your feed back :)!   I was so happy I forgot to ask about the docusate sodium.  I will ask tomorrow about that.   Thanks everyone....Good to know there are others out there to get feedback from to help our Pets in need :)!!!   If anyone has found a good way to control Tarter for cats let me know...