Fasting before dental work

[Voula]

What is the recommendation for fasting before dental work for cats who have diabetes? Thank you. I booked an appointment for my Lucy to see a dental vet and to have dental work done and the receptionist at the vet teaching hospital said to fast from 9:00 pm the night before for an afternoon procedure with anesthetic. I said that seemed far too long for a cat who has diabetes to go without food and she could give me no information about what to do about insulin in the morning too.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

My vets say no water restrictions and 1/2 food and 1/2 insulin in the morning if morning BG is as expected. They do dentals starting at about noon.

 

[Voula]

Thank you Larry.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hiya,

My vet recommends the same as yours; that no food be given after 9pm. Water should be allowed though. (As you've seen, some folks here have had different recommendations from their vets about when to withhold food. It does seem to vary.)

Regarding insulin in the morning, I've always skipped the morning shot when my diabetic has had a procedure scheduled that day. Some others here have given reduced doses.
Anaesthesia can sometimes affect blood glucose (my cat's dropped low during his last operation).

Lucy will be just fine with a missed meal or two. You should be able to resume your normal routine in the evening.

Do you have a T shirt or something that smells of you that she can have with her while at the vets?
And maybe have some of her favourite food ready for later in the day?

Best wishes,

Eliz

 

[Voula]

Hiya,

My vet recommends the same as yours; that no food be given after 9pm. Water should be allowed though. (As you've seen, some folks here have had different recommendations from their vets about when to withhold food. It does seem to vary.)

Regarding insulin in the morning, I've always skipped the morning shot when my diabetic has had a procedure scheduled that day. Some others here have given reduced doses.
Anaesthesia can sometimes affect blood glucose (my cat's dropped low during his last operation).

Lucy will be just fine with a missed meal or two. You should be able to resume your normal routine in the evening.

Do you have a T shirt or something that smells of you that she can have with her while at the vets?
And maybe have some of her favourite food ready for later in the day?

Best wishes,

Eliz

Thank you Elizabeth. Were your cat's procedures done in the morning or later on? Thank you for the suggestion about taking one of my tee shirts to the hospital and having Lucy's favourite foods for later in the day too. They are good suggestions. I just thought also that Lucy has not had a vaccination for over three years and I wondered if that would be an issue. We have had three yearly vaccinations but recently the vet and I discussed vaccinations and decided not to vaccinate Lucy at the moment. We go to the local vet often and Lucy has not contracted any cat flu but now I feel anxious about taking her to the vet hospital now that I have thought about her vaccinations not being up to date. I emailed our local vet and she is not concerned but suggested I should call the vet hospital and ask if it will be an issue. I can't seem to stop worrying about everything at the moment.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Thank you Elizabeth. Were your cat's procedures done in the morning or later on?

Hi,
My vet usually starts on his operation/procedure list around 1.30pm, I think.

Regarding vaccinations, I understand it is possible to have tests done to see if the immunity is still there. I've not done this with my cats yet but probably should look into it because the older ones have not been vaccinated in a while (I'm actually suspicious of over-vaccinating!)

I am sorry that you're having an anxious time at the moment. Our cats do worry us, don't they?
Please remind yourself that you are doing the very best possible for your lovely Lucy. She is a very lucky girl to have you as her care-giver.

Huge reassuring hug to you,

Eliz

 

[Voula]

Thank you so much Eliz. I do believe in vaccinating cats but I don't like to over vaccinate them especially when they have health issues. I am also very lucky to have my Lucy as she is my beautiful girl who means the world to me and I want to do the best that I can for her and make good decisions about her health care too. I have thought I would like to do a titre test to check immunity and that would probably be a good thing to do. Thank you again.

 

[Critter Mom]

Hi Voula,

I'd be very nervous, too. Sending prayers and positive vibes to Lucy for everything to go smoothly.

(((Voula and Lucy)))

When is her dental scheduled for? I look forward to hearing how she gets on.

 

[Voula]

Thank you so much Aine. We are at the vet hospital now and I am anxiously waiting. Lucy will have her teeth cleaned and possibly some teeth extracted too.

 

[Voula]

Thank you everyone. Lucy did really well with her dental work today and she had two teeth out and her teeth cleaned and she has cleaned her plate three times since the dental was done. We are home now and I feel so relieved now. Thank you again for all your good wishes and support too.

 

[Deb & Wink]

So good to hear that Lucy is doing well after her dental.

 

[Voula]

Thank you Deb. I can relax a bit now.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hi,
Great news that all went well with Lucy's dental. And it's a good sign that she's eating so well.
Cats are incredibly resilient, aren't they? I'm not sure I'd want to tuck into food after going through all that!

Give Lucy a cuddle from me.

Eliz

 

[Voula]

Hi,
Great news that all went well with Lucy's dental. And it's a good sign that she's eating so well.
Cats are incredibly resilient, aren't they? I'm not sure I'd want to tuck into food after going through all that!

Give Lucy a cuddle from me.

Eliz

Thank you Eliz. Yes cats are very resilient as you said. I will give my Lucy a cuddle for you amongst all the many cuddles and kisses I am giving her as I feel so relieved that she did so well and that the dental is done.

 

[dirtybirdsoaps]

Hopefully it will help her numbers Hidey was teetering on the line of remission, had his teeth cleaned and 2 more teeth pulled (upper canines ) and after that he went into remission. I'm happy to say he has been in remission for 10 months now. I keep hoping he wont have to have ore work done. He already had 3 back teeth removed before his last extraction.

 

[Voula]

Thank you. I am hoping the dental will help to lower my Lucy's glucose levels too. Congratulations to Hidey and you for his remission and hopefully he won't have to have any more work done.