? Need advice please - Is it safe to have dental surgery for Jack w/ so many health issues?

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA), Jul 17, 2021.

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  1. Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)

    Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2019
    Jack came out of remission after 2 years, and his numbers are still high (since mid May). He needs dental work and is scheduled for August 16th. I'm not sure if it's the right choice to have him put under, as he has so many health issues and I'm not sure if he'll make it through the anesthesia. The vet (a new one and I lack confidence in her) won't clearly articulate whether she feels like surgery is the right choice. Here are Jack's issues:
    1) Diabetes: 4.5U prozinc and his numbers are still high. Periodontal disease probably brought him out of remission, but I'm not sure if other things did that as well. His BG may improve after surgery, but I'm not convinced. Why does he need such a high dose which will probably increase .25U after today's curve? Is something else going on?
    2) Unconfirmed IBD. Many vets have stated that it looks like IBD. Bloated tummy & thick abdominal wall, with history of heavy vomiting. He's doing great right now with raw food, probiotics and digestive enzymes. IBD is unconfirmed b/c I can't afford tests to confirm it. I already control the symptoms of whatever it is he has. I have 5 cats and 4 of them are seniors with health issues, and money is tight.
    3) Pancreatitis. Again, not confirmed with the right blood test, but other blood work indicated possible pancreatitis. I don't recall specifics.
    4) As of Thursday, I found out that Jack is in very early stage of CKD with BUN: 82 and creatinine:1.5.
    5) Jack is horrible when he's taken from the house. He poops and pees in the kennel, pants heavily and drools and his heart rate sometimes goes up to 120 per minute. I took him to the vet (for blood work) on Wednesday, and I was afraid that he was going to have a heart attack.
    6) He has a heart murmur.
    7) He has been having what appears to be little seizures that pass in a minute or so. His head shakes (looks like Parkinson's) and he doesn't walk straight. This doesn't appear to phase him, and he will purr and be responsive the second that it passes. It's not hypo, as I test him every time. This is something else that I'm worried about now.
    8) Is it normal for him to have ongoing dental problems? In May 2019, he had dental work and an extraction of a canine tooth. In May 2021, he again had severe periodontal disease. Is it common for cats to need dental work every 2 years?

    Of all the reasons I'm concerned about Jack being put under anesthesia, my biggest concern is the way that he looks. He has an abnormally bulging tummy that feels so hard to the touch. He has muscle wasting that causes his spine to protrude and has made his hind legs so skinny. He's a large cat, so he has this large frame on long skinny legs with a very large stomach. He looks so frail. I'm so worried that he won't make it through surgery. There is such a large part of me that thinks I should just let him live out and enjoy whatever time he has left.

    Despite all of this, he is an extremely happy, sociable cat who seems to really enjoy his cat life. He loves food, he loves being pet and loved on and he's a little purring machine who greets me at the door. He's a happy little boy and he's my buddy. I just want him to be happy for as long as he can.

    What would you do?
     
  2. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Carolyn --

    I would consider consulting with a veterinary dentist. This is a link to the American Veterinary Dental College where you locate a dentist in your area. I would think that discussing your concerns with a specialist might be helpful.
     
  3. Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)

    Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2019
    I absolutely agree. I think it would be helpful but my hands are tied financially. The new dentist, whom I lack confidence in, charges 1/2 of what my usual vet charges for periodontal work. I've decided that I'm cancelling that app't for the 16th, because my gut is telling me to. At this point, I wish I could afford my usual vet's cost, because he's taken Jack through dental surgery before. He's an old man, and I trust him very much. But it's more than I have right now. Also, my usual vet is less than a 5 minute car ride and there's so much less stress for Jack with a short ride. I'm sort of leaning toward thinking that only that vet could be the right choice, and when I can afford it, I'll do it.
     
  4. Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)

    Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2019
    Here's my sweet boy, sleeping by my feet while I sit at the computer. Look at that big belly.

    upload_2021-7-17_19-53-20.jpeg
     
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