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]

Thanks Jade59.  I will look for it at the pet store!

[Jade59]

Here's a link...

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/whiskas-cat-food.html

[Jade59]

Hi there...please don't give your kitty any Temptations.  There are some bad write ups about them making kitties ill.  I know for sure, they were making Jade vomit, and I mean, without a doubt!  A better 'treat' is PUREBITES.  All it is, is freeze dried chicken, turkey, or fish, whatever your kitty prefers.  

[zodiacqueen]

Well, I sincerely hope and pray that the vet is correct! How does he know for sure that she's not in pain or that her teeth are good?  I don't mean to sound like an arrogant A S S, but, I would still keep my eye on her.  I believe that she's pawing at her mouth for a reason.....It has to be a bad tooth, in my honest opinion.  I wonder if they can do x rays of the mouth area, kind of like they do w/ us when we have a bad tooth.  I know they can't do "bite wings" on cats, but they can probably take a skull x ray to show the teeth.

I do agree with the vet about giving some hard food.  That will help keep the tartar build-up down.  

[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...

[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