Member

Posts: 31
From:Forida, US
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-21-2003 11:14 AM         

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My 8 year old cat has developed an allergy to the plaque that builds up on a daily basis. After diet changes, teeth cleaning, home teeth cleaning the allergy has gotten out of hand and he's lost 7 lbs. The vet says the only way to ease thte pain and improve his quality of life is to extract all or most of is teeth. I'm questioning the quality of life after a surgery of this type and trying to decide to do it or put him to sleep to end the suffering. Is there any input out there to an indoor cats llife without teeth or the medical problems that will arise from this? I'm really torn on what would be best for him, I don't wan tot lose him I don't wan thim to be sickly until he passes

[This message has been edited by Indy (edited 05-21-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 139
From:UK
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 05-21-2003 08:39 PM         

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Cats get on fine with few teeth. I had a stray who had needed most of his teeth removing at a young age, due to a birth defect, he ate fine even caught birds and mice. He lived to the grand old age of 18.
I really wouldn't worry they adapt very well to not having many teeth and if there is any problem with chewing you can always buy yourself a liquidizer and mush your kitties food to a pulp. Lack of teeth will not affect his quality of life.

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Posts: 83
From:New Zealand
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-22-2003 01:28 AM         

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I agree with Isis, he will be ok with even no teeth. I knew a cat with no teeth at all that ate only cooked mince (he was very picky) and refused other food when he stayed at a cattery. So the cattery lady had to give up and give him his normal food (she believed in giving raw meat). However, that dosn't mean he couldn't have eaten other stuff. Cats are remarkable adapters.

Greypaw

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Posts: 31
From:Forida, US
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-22-2003 01:50 AM         

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Thank You very much for the feedback. I won't be as quick to withdraw from my vet at the next visit. I'm just really scared - they become like a child very quickly...

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Posts: 139
From:UK
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 05-22-2003 09:10 AM         

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Indy
I know how you feel about your cat being your child. I can't have children so my kittens are the closet I will get! Not that is bothers me when they get to 16 they certainly aren't going to start to drive my car!!!
Still you needn't worry about your cat, he has a fairly minor condition that won't stop him getting on and enjoying his life. There is being concerned and worrying too much, put all the energy you are using panicking about your puss into giving him a big hug and forgetting about the fact he will soon be Mr Gummy!

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posted 05-28-2003 10:12 PM           

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My cat has had most of his teeth removed for over a year now and he does fine! His gums have hardened so that he has no trouble with hard food. I just make sure that the pieces (of whatever brand cat food)are not huge. He ate canned food and softened dry for about a month.

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Posts: 31
From:Forida, US
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-29-2003 12:15 AM         

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Thank You for the response. It raises my hopes alot. We go back to the vet tomorrow for the 2 week check up and find out the course of action he thinks is appropriate for the extent of his disease and all. I'll keep ya'll posted.

[This message has been edited by Indy (edited 05-29-2003).]

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From:Forida, US
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-29-2003 04:59 PM         

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well, the vet started steriod injections this afternoon. it's only a temporary fix until the inflammation is down enough to schedule the extractions.

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From:UK
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posted 05-29-2003 05:04 PM         

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Well in a way that is good news. At least your puss won't be in as much pain for the moment and after the extractions will feel much better.

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