Cat extraction - decisions to make

[Gabsters]

Hi everyone,
I've been reading some of the threads on this page and while I have learned a lot I am also very nervous about my 6-year old indoor male cat getting a dental cleaning + extractions under anesthesia. I was hoping for some advice from this community. I apologize in advance for the length but I make decisions based on a holistic assessment of a situation, so I've tried to include relevant information here.

1. 2011 annual appointment: vet noted "very clean teeth". I asked if I should be brushing his teeth - they said no. Exam not particularly thorough. I remember thinking they were talking more to each other than to me or my kitty, which is why I tried a new vet out this year (#2 below).
2. Took my cat for this year's appointment last week (Dec 2012). Vet recommended full blood panel ($189) including urinalysis. Justification: at this age, good to get a baseline on all measures so if he becomes sick at a later date, have something to compare. Also recommended dental cleaning ($200) and extractions (1 loose tooth definitely needs to be removed. Another is a 'maybe'. Was vague about price, but I think it was going to be $50-100 for the extraction of two teeth - said he would give me a minimal charge for the loose tooth which would probably come out easily). Vet was good until it came time for a simple administrative request - letter stating cat is healthy enough to fly in-cabin on upcoming trip. Insisted that he is not a "secretary" and does not write letters because then he would not have time to treat any patients, would spend all his time doing secretarial work. (? seriously?) BUT he was willing to answer my many questions and thorough with my cat (...or so I thought). Got the letter and the cat is on the trip with me now for 2 weeks. Vet said cat is probably experiencing some discomfort, but not to worry. This vet also told me that brushing teeth is unnecessary and Greenies are sufficient for future dental care. No medications given or recommended.
3. Took my cat for a second opinion. This vet found another two teeth to be extracted (root heavily exposed), as well as 2-3 more that might need extraction. Also noted an infection of the gums and recommended administration of antibiotics. Recommended basic blood panel ($90), but not the full blood panel unless indicated. Vet was very patient, willing to answer questions. Charged me for an annual exam in order to provide the consultation, but I don't think he did the part of the exam in which they manually feel the cat's abdominal area and glands throughout the body. Provided a detailed estimate of the costs. However, the cost is significantly higher than the previous vet (#2 above - around $200-300 for 2 teeth, not including blood panel), even if I take into account the different # of extractions (estimate was $580-$720, depending on whether he takes out 3 or 7 teeth, not including blood panel). I looked into the costs of some of the itemized supplies, and on the two I checked, the markup was 4x and 11x. (ex: Lactated Ringers Solution 1L = $22 on the estimate, but I found it for $2 on an online pet med supplies store). My "gut" feeling about the vet in #3 was more positive than about #2, but I am concerned about price gouging. Also, If I get the extractions done with this vet, my kitty will have 10 days to heal before the airline flight back home (which vet said is plenty) - if there are any complications I will have to delay travel. I am staying with my parents for the holidays, so this wouldn't be impossible, but changing my flight would be another expense on top of the already-higher estimate and I can't be gone too much longer. However, if I didn't take into account the much higher cost and the travel issue, I would probably choose #3.

I am a grad student (on financial aid), but will sacrifice other things to keep my cat healthy. However, I'm really torn about whether to do this procedure here (and pay about 2 - 2.5 times more, it seems) while visiting family, or wait another couple of weeks and go with #2. Both vets were kind to my cat. However, I don't know if I can fully trust either...

Please be positive or don't reply (I noticed some responses were very snarky and mainly focused on berating the guardian). I am open to constructive criticism and opinions/information. But I noticed some replies simply lecture or imply the owner is not committed enough. I ask my vet every year what more I can do to keep my kitty healthy. And to be clear, while I've listed prices above, I am in no way implying that price is the main/only factor in this decision.

I am trying to weigh several factors:
-trust in the doctor
-practical issues (I'm not in my own home right now and will need to travel soon. If there are complications like what I've read about, I would have a hard time extending my trip by more than a week or so)
-financial limitations (I will pay interest on this later when I start repayment on my loans, and while I am not 'cheap' when it comes to the important stuff, I strongly resent being 'taken for a ride' to pad the pockets of doctors)
-quality of medical care

Thanks so much in advance. If anyone with a similar question wants more info on the itemized costs (for comparison) send me a private message.

[opus88]

thank you so much for the update...I am so glad its all over with and you had a good experience with the new Vet (sure can make a difference)....I hope she will now bounce back quickly and be pain FREE....nothing worse than a sore mouth as we ourselves know:(
I'm glad you will be using the EFAC....I think this will make a huge difference for her.
glad you found us too....your welcome to post any old time, doesn't have to be a problem going on..we love members with just plain old kitty tales too...
be sure to tell us her name next time you drop in...:)

[iandreaj]

All the information was so helpful. The new vet's office was so much more conducive to caring information. My cat didn't freak at all. I felt informed. She had 4 teeth pulled and has bounced back so well. The vet thought she had probably been in pain as the pulling was necessary. Glad to be done with it. Will be using the EFAC. The vet I changed to charged $300 less than the one I left. So glad I found this website. Thanks all!

[opus88]

I know its almost impossible to brush some kitties teeth b/c of their character &/or background, especially when their mouths are so tender anyway.  My Vet told me one of his patients was like this and the owner just squirted the capsule into the cats mouth, or he mentioned even just putting it on the paw and naturally the cat will lick it off.....:)

good luck with this......give it a trial for a month or two, if there isn't a drastic improvement than unfortunately the kindest thing you can do for your kitty is to have the teeth removed, especially if there are FORLs present. be sure you get a dental surgeon when looking at extensive extractions....:(

keep us posted♥

[iandreaj]

Yes!  I'm going to try the EFAC capsules. The pamphlets were at the new vet's office, so that was a good sign. Thank you for that.

[iandreaj]

ugh ... there's no way my 13 pounder is letting me brush her teeth. She was a rescue cat and is a very sensitive, respectful soul but has very strong opinions about how, where, and how much she's touched!  After 3 years + of trust building I still get nipped... tho it's gotten gentler over time. I'm considering discussing getting all the possible teeth pulled as I don't want to keep stressing her heart and my pocketbook. As a sr citizen it's too expensive to do this every year or so, especially as she gets older and I do too!
Meanwhile I decided to go to a different well recommended vet so at least it will be a more personable staff. and maybe she'll be less freaked out. She's been under the bed since we got home yesterday. Now I'm worried they poked and prodded and aggravated her poor gums. I'll take her to the new vet tomorrow. Thanks for your input, really!!

[opus88]

hi and welcome, I am sorry your kitty is facing so many more issues with his teeth, that care gets terribly expensive. My Sami has also faced extensive dental work.
I would like to tell you of something I've been using for his oral care. In Oct. 2012 he had several more extractions done this time by a Veterinary Oral Surgeon, he found lots of peridontal disease....also did some repair work under Sami's gums and added a gel antibiotic to hopefully permanently fill in the huge pockets he found. he also of course gave his teeth a good cleaning.

He sent us home with some oral care gel to apply following each daily brushing...do you brush your kitty's teeth?
he also prescribed a fairly new product, an esterfied fatty acid called EFAC I will include the link for this product. I have been cleaning Sami's teeth daily since that appointment and opening one of the EFAC capsules and rubbing the gel like substance on his gums, hates the taste but he doesn't fight me...:)

anyway, we had his 6 month check up 2 weeks ago and the Oral Surgeon just could NOT believe the difference this has made to his gums...they are in beautiful condition, nice and pink and healthy..he also probed under the gum line with one of those steel picks and Sami didn't even flinch, he was amazed at the complete turn around...won't say cure, but darn near. We now only need to apply it every second day:))

Please ask your Vet to order you some of this. After my local Vet learned abt it he has been prescribing it for all the kitty's with dental issues and he said he's seen remarkable transformations too...

http://hopesciencevet.com/cat-perio-home/