Dental cleaning questions

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Moosmommy

Moosmommy

Member Since 2012
Hey everyone

I was able to secure funds to get Moos dental done.
I have gotten two quotes from two different vets that I have been to and trust but now have to decide between the two.
Can anyone who has gone through a dental with a diabetic kitty give me some pointers to what I need to look for in regards to what they offer/provide during this time?
Any specific questions I need to ask? does the pre-op blood work need to be done the day before the procedure?
How long will he need to recover? If they pull teeth, will I need to take a day or two off to check on him?
I am kinda at a loss and am overwhelmed with what I need to make sure I know in regards to the procedure, and pain meds hydration, food etc.
Moo is on .75 units of Lantus twice a day.
Any information/suggestions/helpful advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Annie
 
The topic has come up before, so I know there are posts on the board.
Maybe use the advanced search feature in the upper right of the screen which lets you search in phrases or words, limit date ranges, and more.

Try using these words: dental cleaning anesthesia insulin
And see what comes up.

Here's one from that search.
 
Hi,I know you are nervous about your kitty' s dental,I was too.Last month 2 of mine had their teeth cleaned and luckily they did not need any teeth pulled.I went to 2 different places and both places do the blood work the morning of the procedure to make sure it is current. Both of mine got to come home within 6-7 hours and we're fine. Neither one needed pain meds.You certainly shouldn't have to miss any work the next day.About 4 days after my diabetic kitty got the awful buildup of tartar removed,that his numbers started really improving.No more bad breath and he can eat a little dry kibble now.Not to worry,it is really easier for them than we think.I was very worried for my sugar kitty,as he has aids,strong heart murmur too.
 
Note: the above cat had no extractions.
With extractions, you want some sort of pain meds.
My vet is using Onsior for 3 days of pain relief for moderate pain.
(A civvie had a small tumor excised with wide margins and was given that.)
 
Hi there :cool:

Bad teeth and gums were my Black Kittys 'Achilles heel'. I took him to a veterinary dental specialist, recommended by his vet (his mouth was WAY beyond what she felt comfortable handling). I believe he had 8 extractions - the first time around. The difference in his BG was amazing. He did have to have further extractions 6 months later and after that it was straight to remission. His regular vet then took over yearly maintenance and eventually (over the course of several years) all his teeth were removed.

BKs story is extreme in many ways - he was definitely not an average diabetic kitty and he is immune-suppressed. He is however a poster child for the difference good dental health can make. Have a look at his ss - 12/08/2008 was the first dental, 05/29/2009 was the second. He celebrated 5 years of remission on 10/23/2014.

The post BJM linked you to is an excellent reference. I encourage you to read through the details.
ECID (every cat is different) so if you are able you may want to schedule at a couple days off, just in case.
I was fortunate in that I worked from home and was able to keep an eye on BK.

Keep us posted!
 
We've had three dentals , shadow has feline ondoclastic resportive lesions ( FORL) which is very common for kitties.
The teeth get fractured and all very painful although most cats hide it, but it definitely affects bg.
The only way vets can really see it is with x-rays.

If I had to choose between the pre-op blood work and x-rays, I would choose the x-rays. Talk to your vet. He/she may be able
to do some minimal blood work.
I had to do that when Shadow had her first dental because of financial limits.
We've come home with pain patches wrapped on the leg to give a few days before having to administer any additional pain relief.
Bupenorphine or Tramadol are usually prescribed.

Shadow has had most of her teeth removed, over three surgeries. The most difficult one was all four fangs.
She had to re-learn how to eat without them. But she adjusted fine, it just took a while.

Moo is going to feel so much better with a healthy mouth. :-D
 
Moo went in for his bloodwork tonight
However due to my funds not hitting my bank for another few days he cant have his surgery tomorrow as planned.
I have rescheduled it for 12/30 as I am off this entire week and will be able to keep an eye on him for as much time as needed after.
The vet said he seems healthy other than his teeth and diabetes. Good heart, good weight etc. She said AT LEAST he will need his 2 front lower canines removed...
Possibly more.
So we'll see on 12/30!
 
Canines are a bigger deal. Please go to LL and keyword search dental...there are really good threads with very specific questions to ask and things you want to be very clear about with your vet going into procedure, meds to avoid and which to ask for, prep and aftercare, etc..I am on tablet so not easy to paste links...hut look for threads by Jill/Alex, sienne, Hillary/Maui, Kathy /kitty, ...my hank had a dental last year with multiple extractions including canines and it was a big procedure and took some time to recover. You want to be sure to get xrays both before AND AFTER to be sure no root fragments left behind. You want buprenorphine to take home for pain..several days worth. NO metacam, NO covenia. If you get antibiotics have them compounded into liquid so you can squirt orally....and you can have them flavored with fish or chicken to help mask the taste. You want gas anesthesia, no boxing or masking, and you want to be sure they are very closely monitored during and after, kept warm with circulating heat, and given plenty of fluids before, during and after. I would ask if someone can be with hold and comfort them as they wake up. Take a note reminding NO dry food and that he is diabetic and provide a can of his reg food just in case though he prob won't eat there. Take something for his cage with your smell to keep with him. Look on threads and LL for advice on dosing...you will prob want to drop the dose as anesthesia will impact. Oh, since you have some heads up, get some fort for a or ask vet for a few packs....and get some meat only baby food. He will have a hard time eating initially and it is very soft and fluffy
 
I discovered after the fact that it would have been much cheaper to buy the bottle of bupe than all the individual pre filled syringes we got. Call around and check prices ask vet for scripts for this and ab, preferably in advance so you don't have to go back out.
 
Yu can also get compounded oral buprenex much less expensive from a compounding pharmacy like RoadRunner or DiamondBack than from your vet. The vet has injectable,which can also be used orally, however, it is more expensive than compounded oral buprenex.
YOU als may be able to get a script from your vet ti purchase the via of the injectable buprenex
 
Bettyandhank, whats this?
get some fort for a or ask vet for a few packs....

Im sure a typo but can't figure out what it means.

Also, meat baby food? Is that ok for him? /low carbs for his diabetes?

Ill search for threads on LL too
thanks.
 
Moosmommy said:
...
get some fort for a or ask vet for a few packs....
Also, meat baby food? Is that ok for him? /low carbs for his diabetes? ...
Click to expand...

1) Forti Flora - check Amazon
2) all meat baby food, no veggies, nor fruit, is low carb
 
if you get baby food - look for beech nut - stage 1 - it's just meat and broth -- and yes it's gentle and good to use, if he isn't eating.
 
Yes, fortiflora....tnx BJ.
We bought Gerber's.... Meat only w/broth. Hillary is a whiz w/ the dental stuff. Read my Hank dental thread...he had 6 extractions including an unexpected canine. It was a big extended procedure....and took him a while to recover. You want to stay in front of the pain....I figured out to give every 8 hours first day or so...but sealed a little more than I wish on his first dose home. The canines are a whole other thing...rhiannon said shadow had a hard time after hers were removed also...seems to be a psychological component in addition to physical.
 
We got fortiflora at countryside pet.....they also sell on eBay and amazon. Prices are couple dollars cheaper on their site but as I recall the chg s/h on their site and free on the others. 5% coupon code on their FB page....plus Purina has a rebate for $5 on their site (search fortiflora rebate) countryside was late getting my box to me as it was lost in shuffle initially, but they then overnighted n/c. Since you have a little heads up you have plenty time to order. Always handy to have around. Hope this helps
 
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