Need advice regarding my cat's teeth

[KayLaw]

I took my cats to a new vet last week and she said they have dirty teeth and that one, Lucy, has a broken tooth. She sent me an estimate for a cleaning and extraction for Lucy alone that comes to $349.00. Does that sound right to you? Is there harm in letting her go around with a chipped tooth? I know a lot of you have cats, and any advice at all will be appreciated.

[flyingfysh]

1. that's cheap

Be nice to your cat. Have it done.

[catzies]

2. Cats have to be put under to do their teeth - hence the expense

That amount should include the pre-op bloodwork and exam, in addition to knocking her out and cleaning her teeth.

[Shoeempress]

3. Cats do not sit idly by and allow their teeth to be cleaned. They have

to anesthetize them, and a broken tooth will probably lead to an abscess which can kill you pet. If you wait for the abscess, the $350.00 bill will look cheap.

[Raven]

4. Bad teeth in cats can be fatal.

So my Vet says...infections and kidney problems.

[callous taoboy]

18. Agreed-

Take care of it right away. I was cat-sitting my friend's Siamese cat who was acting very out of it. She had horrendous breath. Took her to the vet and her teeth were beyond what he could fix, with bleeding gums as well. He had to remove them all. He was a great, honest vet so I think your vet is a right. It was expensive.

[napi21]

5. I would check with several vets near you. I have my dogs teeth

cleaned about once a year or so, and the last bill was $115.00 per dog. That included the office visit, anesthesia, and cleaning. Once an animal has been put to sleep, it's surely no more difficult to clean a cat's teeth than it is to do a dog's.

I know I have found major price fluctuations at different vets around here for all services.

I have found vet charges are different in differents parts of the country so that could be a factor for you too. I live in Ga. now. Prices here are a little higher than when I lived in Tx. but not by a lot.

I also suggest you have the cleaning done somewhere though. The plaque that builds up on an animal's teeth cause them to loose teeth as they get older, and if they begin to decay, the poison that builds up can actually kill them if not treated.

[KayLaw]

9. Thanks, Napi21

I guess we could call around. I didn't know that decay could be so serious. What do cats do in the wild, I wonder?

[jdj]

29. another idea is to google around for a vet tech school or vet school.

In your area. Vet. technicians ususally do the teeth cleaning.

If you can find a tech school or one of the vet school universities in your area, it might be worth it to call them up and ask them if they do teeth cleaning at a discount rate for training the techs.

Human dental schools do this, and I have heard of people taking their animals to vet schools and getting discounted services.

Another avenue which may reduce the cost is trade. Animals at vet offices have to be taken care of on the weekends, and those on meds usually require that someone come to the office twice a day on sat. and sunday. They usually have you clean the cages and stalls and floors, etc. I've known a few people who have "worked off" a portion of their vet bills this way.

[KayLaw]

6. Gotcha!

That does make sense. I can't think of an alternative so I'll just do it. Thanks for the good advice.

[Tom Kitten]

7. Definitely have the chipped tooth taken care of...

Left untreated sooner than later it will cause a toothache, infection, and abcessing, endangering his life just like it would in a human...Poor kitties cannot tell you the are feeling pain and need help, they just change their behavior...Felix had a chipped fang, he got cranky (very much to my remorse I didn't take care of it as soon as I noticed it), finally I took him to the vet and had it pulled, his behavior changed overnight and he's been a pussycat ever since...This was about seven years ago and it cost me $300, so the estimate sounds reasonable...

[demnan]

8. I need to take my cats in

they have plaque on their teeth. Your estimate probably involves an extraction which is more money than just cleaning. Last time I took Lily in I really think it helped her general health as well. I don't know where you live but here this stuff is very expensive. If it makes you feel better, get an estimate from another vet.

[flyingfysh]

10. it could be a lot worse

I took my cat in to have her teeth cleaned, and they discovered that the cat had cancer. Instead of teeth-cleaning surgery, she had tumor removal surgery (the surgeon removed a whole chain of mammary glands), and now I am taking my cat to a pet oncologist (yes, there are such things). They told me the cancer is much more serious than the teeth problems.

So far, she seems OK.

[Radius]

11. Age?

If you cat is very old I would be weary, sedating older animals, and people, is more risky.

The price is normal.

[Radius]

12. DUPE

Dupe

[Mrs_Beastman]

13. We shopped around after our vet told us $2000!

We ended up paying about $250

[Infomaniac]

14. We paid 225 in Feb 2004 in NYC

We paid $225 last February for Miss Kitty's dental cleaning and to have a tooth pulled. That included the bloodwork and anesthesia. The bloodwork is done to make sure the cat doesn't to check the blood gases to make sure the cat won't have problems being put under. Shop around.

[barb162]

15. I'd get the chipped tooth fixed right away

as that can be very sensitive and hurt. Do you notice your cat lifting it's head up (like flinching) when it's drinking water. That would indicate sensitivity. I don't like getting my cats' teeth cleaned but if I know they have a problem I would immediately get it fixed, like the chipped tooth. The price you mentioned isn't out of line. I worry though about anesthesia and I don't get their teeth cleaned as often as recommended. For ex., I have a 16 year old cat with chronic renal failure (he's about half his normal weight) and the vet keeps telling me to get the cat's teeth cleaned and I am just not going to put that cat through it. So he has tartar and the last time he got his teeth cleaned was about 3 years ago. But I am just going to keep letting him have tartar unless I notice his gums getting red or other signs or the vet tells me he has a REAL problem going on in his mouth.

[skygazer]

16. That's reasonable

Just like people, cats can suffer from mouth infections that will affect their overall health. Even those who eat dry food get a buildup of plaque. It usually doesn't have to be done that often, especailly if you are able to brush them (they have special brushes for cats). Worth doing definately for your kitty's health and long life.

[flamingyouth]

17. Yes, that's very reasonable

Before I got Papa, he had most of his teeth extracted due to a gum condition called stomatitis. When it was all said and done, the total came to nearly $2800 (his foster mom paid for it).

Poor dental health can affect cats' hearts, kidneys, etc.

[KayLaw]

19. Thanks again

I'm more than pleased that my cats have so many advocates here. Lucy is about 8 or so and probably does need special care. They were homeless cats we were lucky enough to find and, while I was surpised at the price of their dental care, won't deny it. Frankly, the price -and I live in the Tampa Bay area - seemed high, but I guess not.:hi:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

20. Do it, but also ask if the vet does the cleaning herself.

I worked at a vet and working there I found that people would pay for a cleaning and then have another staff member do it. This guy was just some guy they had hired. I always thought that to be a vet tech you had to have some sort of qualifications, but apparently not in practice. Bah, you should have seen what happened when he was told to shave down a cat for surgery. One po'd owner.

[JanMichael]

21. OK....no offense here..

My grandparents, parents, etc...no one in our family...cleaned our pets teeth. Ever. Gave the dogs milk bones, and the cats hard food (Purina cat chow) and they lived to be old. Very old.

Did you even know the cat had a problem before you took it to the vet?

Before anyone jumps down my throat here...prove to me that all this new "vet stuff" has 1. improved the quality of pet's lives, or 2. extended them.

I personally go for vaccines, and spay/neuter...and then if they are sick, take them in. Do the math...look how many vets are in your neighborhood now, and figure out what they have to do to make a living.

[sleepyhead]

24. We used to consider cats to be geriatric at 12.

Now it is not unusual to see them live to be 16 or more. The difference is due to regular veterinary care, and that includes periodic dental care.

How do you think your mouth would feel if you didn't brush your teeth for 16 years? I can tell you from experience that these pets feel "like new" (owners' words) after their grungy painful teeth are scaled and polished. Your pet cannot tell you if it is uncomfortable, but it is easy for your veterinarian to do a dental exam and uncover problems that you might not even be aware of. By the way, veterinarians by and large are not wealthy. While the average physician salary in this country is over 150K, the average vet makes about 44K, with the same training and much higher overhead (we have to have medical and surgical equipment in our offices, as well as dental equipment and a radiology suite, and in most cases a full laboratory setup). A thorough dental procedure, including exam, preanesthetic blood work, anesthesia, IV fluids, dental scaling/polishing/fluoride treatment, and postop antibiotics and pain meds, is a bargain at around $300. (Depending on the state of your pet's health and other issues, it would not be unusual to spend closer to $500-600!)

We are trying to get away from annual vaccinations these days, and are trying to concentrate on wellness care for our companions. When your pets are likely to spend 15-20 years with you, it is wise to maintain their health on the highest level possible. That is what you and your veterinarian can do together. Most of us got into this field because we are interested in promoting animal health, not to make a fortune. If you don't understand why your vet is making the recommendations he/she does, don't hesitate to ask. You might be surprised at the amount of study and research that goes into his/her comments to you.

[Unperson 309]

26. You're Selling Your Skills Short, My Friend!

You say the veterinarian has "The same training" as a human physician. Far from it! If anything, the average small animal practice vet has three to five times the amount of training!

Where medical doctors work with *one* species, humans, who come in all sizes, shapes and ages, the vet can, in one day, see and be expected to diagnose and treat dogs, cats, birds, iguanas and other
reptiles, the occasional potbellied pig, ferrets, rabbits, rats and more! In all sizes, shapes and ages!

Not only that, but the vet must correctly treat each one, keep up to date on medical research for these and other species, AND be expected to provide the same level and quality of care one would give a human, but for half or less than half of the cost!

Not only that, but vets have to deal with patients who cannot talk, who scratch, bite, scream, squeal, try to escape and often defecate or urinate on them during a procedure. Then, as if that were not bad enough, the patients' caregivers are usually part of why the poor creatures are IN the vet's office to begin with.

The veterinarian must see extreme examples of cruelty, neglect, over or underfeeding, ignorance, home remedies and more and not give the owners a piece of his or her mind, lest they refuse to return and doom the pet to worse things.

Sometimes the vet has to simply "swallow" the cost of an expensive treatment if the owner decides not to return for the animal. Vets must find homes for these castoffs and often their own homes (and homes of their staff) are bulging with rescued animals.

Fortunately, not all is this bleak. Vets also get to do things that human-practice doctors would love to do. They can take an agonized and suffering animal out of the pain with a merciful needle and comfort at the end. They see owners who will spare no expense to see to it that the animal is well and healthy. They may see cruelty, but they also see extraordinary kindness and heroic efforts by "good samaritans" who bring in strays who have been hit by cars or hurt in other ways.

And above all, vets treat beings who are so capable of love and forgiveness, they take the breath away at times! Animals hideously injured, who lick the hands that give them release. When a vet looks into the eyes of his or her patient, the eyes of God gaze back.

From myself and all other companion animal guardians, I say THANK YOU!

Thank you for the time, the work, the effort, the caring, the love, the knowledge that keeps my cat, my dog, my bird, my FRIEND on your table, healthy and strong. Thank you for explaining prodecures, for putting up with my errors and my pet's resistance at times. Thank you for answering that call at night, for remembering that my cat likes to be scratched right *here* and that my bird is frightened by quick moves. Thank you from my sorrowing heart when my painfully ill elderly dog slips across the Rainbow Bridge through your hands and thank you for crying with me!

Thank you for being my vet and being my animal's best friend!

309

[sleepyhead]

27. Thanks, 309.

<<When a vet looks into the eyes of his or her patient, the eyes of God gaze back.>>

After an excruciatingly hard week, your post has reminded me why I got into this profession in the first place.

[Unperson 309]

28. Very Welcome!

We're taking our kitty in next week to get her stitches out. Routine spay and she's doing great! She's growing in her adult teeth and the milkteeth on the lower jaw don't want to leave, yet, so we'll see what our own vet says.

In the 40 years I've had critters (cats, dogs, birds, snakes, hamsters, chameleons, rats...) I've had the very best luck with vets!
I've never had an animal that didn't get regular health care (annual visit at the very least!) and even when I was almost dead broke, the vet was kind enough to let me pay on time!

Anyway, I hope your next week improves and know that while we don't always say it, many pet guardians DO feel exactly the same way I do!
Without your training and all the advances in veterinary care many animals would be much worse off. Believe me, I REMEMBER the Fifties
and what passed for care back then!

Take care and be well.

309

[JanMichael]

31. And I wasn't disagreeing with any of what you wrote

However, making owning a pet a luxury in this country is ridiculous.

I think veterinarians are wonderful people...I grew up reading James Herriot too--I adore my cat, and if she needs something, she gets it.

However, veterinary medicine in this country has taken a clue from human medicine, and is pricing ordinary people out with slick marketing, and selling you services you might not really need--

When you can't afford your pet's insurance in 10 or 15 years, and can't afford a fluffy friend...think back to this post.

When you go to Greece, France, Ireland and see all those kitties sunning themselves in the windows...don't bother wondering how they can afford so many cats. America is going to follow tradition, and fuck up a great profession....and the new vets are going to be just like Dr.s and tell you how great it is, and what you are paying for.

[JanMichael]

30. Geriatric at 12??

Nope, most of my families cats...and I have one of those big, weird Southern families where I can even name the pets right back to my great grandparents, and have photos in the family albums...lived well over 12. My great aunt has her 17 year old cat's ashes in her coffin.

I am extrememly aware of how much money and how many studies are behind veterinary medicine now.

As far as the "same training" as a human Dr., gonna have to disagree with you there. You go to veterinary college for 4 years (following your 4 year undergrad) then get out and go to work. Dr.'s have to complete their internships and residencies.

Bottom line: I have been shocked at what a racket the practice of veterinary medicine has become. There are tons of people on DU that will gladly pay you $300 to clean their dog's teeth...and they will call from their cell phone to make that appointment with your receptionist. However, don't make the people sitting in their mobile home, or housing project feel guilty or neglectful because they don't clean their big, happy mutt's teeth: for them, the veterinarians have made owning a dog a luxury....just like everything else in this country. And that's a crock of shit.

If you wanted to make the big bucks, you should have considered some other profession-

[sleepyhead]

32. I never wanted to make big bucks.

That's why I didn't go to medical school or law school. But I do consider it my job to be an advocate for my patients. Dogs and cats in the wild have an average lifespan of 4 years or so. A well-cared-for pet can reach 20 years of age. And with advanced age come many problems - arthritis, dental disease, organ dysfunction, and decreased visual acuity among other things. Since my patients by and large don't complain about their failing bodies, I have the task of evaluating their all-around health and making recommendations for their continued comfort and well-being.

I see all types of pet owners - from those who drive little Fifi to my clinic in a Mercedes, to the starving artists and students whose pet is their treasured companion, to the parents who are only bringing in their pet because the children insist and otherwise would toss it onto the street and get a replacement. Part of my job is to work with the people who find themselves in my clinic, for whatever reason, and choose the level of care that suits their lifestyle. I don't think I have ever tried to guilt an owner into doing anything they don't feel that they can reasonably do. However, I *will* have a complete discussion with the owner about what can be done for their pet - many owners are surprised at what we can do, and may decide to pursue treatment for a condition that they had thought was untreatable (dental care is a good example - a lot of my clients are unaware that anything can be done for their pet's oral pain and halitosis, and are grateful to have the chance to solve the problem). I feel that it would be just as wrong for me to omit discussion of these options as it would be for me to make an owner feel guilty about treating or not treating their pet.

Yes, veterinary medicine is becoming increasingly sophisticated, as we acquire the technology that human medicine has used for years (we are probably about 20 years behind the MDs), but just because we have the technology doesn't mean that we have to use it, or that the most advanced level of care is the right decision for each and every pet.
I spoke to a client just yesterday whose cat has advanced terminal breast cancer, and after discussing all the options, we came to the decision that what was best for this cat is palliative care rather than chemotherapy. I feel obligated to offer the option of referral to a specialist (eg an oncologist in this case), but I never push it - some people want to go that route, others don't. It's a very personal decision, and I don't begrudge anyone the chance to make the decision for themselves.

My clients know that I will always be here for them, and that I will support them in whatever choice they feel they must make. That is what they pay me for. I do the best I can for each individual client and pet, and I sleep well at night knowing that I am not running a "racket". I am sorry that you seem to have had a bad experience or two, but I don't think you should tar all vets with the same brush.

Oh and by the way, veterinarians do have internships and residencies - for those who wish to specialize. And in our 4 years of vet school, we need to learn not only medicine and surgery, but the various diseases and idiosyncrasies of companion animals, farm animals, food animals, wild animals, etc. After leaving school, we need to become comfortable with internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, surgery, orthopedics, dentistry, pathology, radiology, and behavior, to name a few. We don't have the luxury of picking one small area - we need to keep up with all of it. I don't think you will find too many money-grubbers here (or any more than in any other profession) - most of us are here for other reasons.

Sorry for the rant, but this is an important issue for me.

Edited to note that a good many of my clients compare the care they get here favorably to that of their physicians. We spend at least 30 minutes with each patient and make frequent followup calls to check on their progress. I know for a fact that it is next to impossible to get my internist on the phone - I am lucky if I get a call back from the receptionist in less than a day. (I have a great staff that is very compassionate and helps me with the followup care, and very rarely take more than an hour to return a call. Lots of our clients comment that they wish they got that kind of attention from *their* doctor. And by the way, we do not get paid for that. We see it as an obligation to our patients.)

[xultar]

22. Just got my Chi's teeth cleaned today. They really cut me a deal

it was only 293. I was thinking it would been closer to 350.

She didn't have a broken tooth either.

My Cat hat her teeth cleaned last year and it was almost 300 as well. That was just for the cleaning no extractions or broken teeth either.

[xultar]

23. Just got my Chi's teeth cleaned today. They really cut me a deal

it was only 293. I was thinking it would been closer to 350.

She didn't have a broken tooth either.

My Cat hat her teeth cleaned last year and it was almost 300 as well. That was just for the cleaning no extractions or broken teeth either.

[St. Jarvitude]

25. Don't bring her to England

Sorry... couldn't resist :D

[radfringe]

33. sounds about right

depends on your vet and area you live in

we had the old-lady cat done last year, teeth cleaning and 4 extractions ran us close to $300

best to get it done because a tooth may become abcessed and could endanger the cat's life -- not to mention even more expense to treat the abcess before they can do anything to remove/clean the teeth