Opinion about dentistry please

I was told by my Vet that two of my cats have bad tartar and need their teeth cleaned. They both have bad breathe. Is this necessary? They do not seem to be in pain and the stress I am going to put them through going to the Vet scares me. What should I do?

 

Dental problems can lead to other health problems, so proper maintenance of your cats' oral health is important. Ask your vet if they can use an alternative to general anesthetic, as that is the hardest part on the cat during the cleaning procedure. It's best to get the dentistry done when the cats are young and healthy.

My dog died from complications of gum disease. It was very hard to watch her go through it and I vowed to never let that happen to one of my animals again. I know it can be very scary, but you wil be improving your pets overall health and well-being. I had Moe's teeth cleaned last summer with no problems. I have been practicing brushing her teeth since then too! Ask your vet to show you how to do it.

 

It is absolutely crucial that you maintain your kitties' health including teeth. Go for a second opinion if you have to. Some vets will say your kitties need cleaning right away while others may say in 6 months to a year depending on the condition of the plaque build up. You don't want cavities to go unchecked either. Pumpkin had a cracked tooth and several cavities that had to be pulled. I believe she had it for years and became used to swallowing her food whole rathering than chewing them to bits. She was in pain and I didn't know. Left unchecked she could've developed severe health problems. Her vet had a winter special if she was brought in Jan. or Feb. and I opted to have her teeth done right away. Good luck!

Halaroo, I'm so sorry about your dog. :cry:

 

dental hygiene on our pets is as important as it is for us....trust your vet to do what is right for your pets.
I had a cat who required yearly cleanings and she also had CRF and a heart murmur. If I didn't get her teeth cleaned an infection could have gone straight to her heart (she had to take antibiotics before and after a cleaning) and killed her.
You can also take a peek to see how red the gums might be...they should be a healthy pink and see how nasty the teeth look to you.
They shouldn't look like they have peanut butter caked on them.

 

Agree with the others. Maintaining oral health is very important. My grandmothers cat developed CRF and the vet thought it was a result of her very bad teeth. Toxins from the infections in the teeth get into the blood stream and effect other parts of the body. Tiddy is due to have his teeth cleaned...this will be the first of mine to have it done. I'm also nervous about it but I know that it needs to be done. I think you might feel better about it after you discuss all of your concerns with the vet.

 

Thank you for all your input. I AM taking both my cats that need dentistry this Wednesday. I spoke with my wonderul Vet this morning and between your input and hers I feel confident that it is in fact the best thing for my babies.