Razzeratz is in for his dental today

[Auntie Debbie]

Wish him well....me too, I worry so much!

[momPaws]

You gots some kitty prayers.

[Traci]

Try not to worry, I've had three of mine done in the last year

If it helps, tell the vet to call you as soon as Razz wakes up from anesthesia, then ask if you can bring him home right before closing time. Grab some cans of A/D to feed for a day or two, just til he's feeling better from the dental.

[Auntie Debbie]

Well he's still at the vets; I should be able to pick him up this morning. Back when I first had him tested for the hyperT and all, the vet said he needs a dental really, really bad. I said, okay, but he's eating okay. I do see him eat.
His last bloodtest came back great. His kidney values were normal, hyperT on the low side, all looked good except an elevated wbc and a weight loss of one pound. He did some clyndamiacin and I brought him back for a weight recheck. (During this time I noticed he really wasn't eating as much as he should and he had trouble getting those beloved and much sought after pill pockets in his mouth....Sometimes I just gave him the tap down his throat and let him do what he wanted with the pill pocket). He lost another 12 ounces in just 1-1/2 weeks. So, I explained about the pill pockets and him not eating as much and that I would like to do the dental. Welllllllll, now this vet told me his tetth really isn’t all that bad. I told him that’s not what he said earlier…which is it? He told me that just to be on the safe side, “we” should do xrays to be sure there isn’t something else going on with his insides. $160 bucks later he’s just fine inside. So we do the dental.
I called them yesterday to see how it went and the tech that did it told me it went just fine, his teeth weren’t that bad…no extractions and that they’re keeping him overnight on fluids. I had a fit. First the teeth are really really bad, and now it’s just a matter of some tartar? And the fluids? She started getting snippy and defensive after I had the pill pocket conversation……”Razzeratz has been having trouble eating even the pill pockets which he used to scarf down, so I think there may be a problem with one of the front teeth.” Tech says, “Well, we just put the pill down their throats with our fingers and don’t even use the popper.” I said, “No, I’m talking about the pill pockets, not poppers.” She said, “I heard you, we just use our fingers!” I said, “You’re not listening to me I said Pocket, the treats! I can stuff a pill down a cats throat as well as anyone, I’m saying the cat is having trouble eating!!!!” Next thing I hear is music. WTF???? She gets back on the phone and said there was a emergency (yeah right) and that I should call back later and speak with the vet.
It was then I realized this is all lost money and a lost cause. Their idea of payment plans is ½ up front when you pick up your pet and ½ in two weeks. I got them to agree to the second half by the end of next month,. I can see why they want the money so quickly…so they have it before you realize you’ve been taken and your pet is still no so well.
I finally heard back from the vet and I really pushed the issue of the really really bad teeth vs. the not so bad teeth. Stuttering he said the tartar was bad, but luckily they didn’t have to extract any. They didn’t take any x-rays of the mouth at all and he said if I wanted to go that route, he’s refer me to a specialist. (I’m guessing it would be hard to lay a cat on a slab and point the camera at its jaw? Granted you wouldn’t get a set like a people’s dentist, but it would show some stuff that shouldn’t be there?)
The fluids is to help the weight loss problem and get him feeling better. He will be sent home with antibiotics and an appetite stimulator.
Since I am paying only half when I pick him up, whatever that amounts to I will wait until the end of next month before paying the second, just incase he really isn’t anny better and I Have to take him elsewhere….and if they do find a bad tooth, vet#1 can kiss the second half goodbye.;
The only problem with all of this is that the rescue group I work with send a lot of cats there. That would limit me to one of the two other places they use for my fosters, if that’s even possible. This is also the same vet that gave me that speech about “Out in the wild” when I brought in the kitten that wasn’t eating well and not losing weight.
I think it’s safe to say at this point, I’m finding someplace else for my guys.

[Traci]

I can see this from theirs and your point of view. An initial exam doesn't always show peridontitis or detect pockets of infection, nor can you see between, behind or under the molars well enough until the pet is under anesthesia. Xrays can be taken directly after pre-anesthesia, there shouldn't have been a problem to take xrays. Xrays are essential for older pets, or those who have never had their teeth xrayed. Did they not even give you a quote and offer xrays to you??

IV fluids are good during and after a dental, it keeps the pet hydrated after being under anesthesia, and helps clear it from the body, and keeps electrolytes balanced, and temperature regulated since the pet's mouth and sometimes upper extremeties are wet during the procedure. An overnight stay with IV fluids after a non-incidental dental, however, is not always necessary. I'd ask about that, and I'd ask exactly how long Razz was under anesthesia.

Overall, based on your post, I'd find a new vet anyway. Trust your instincts, you're not happy with him, so find a vet you are happy with.

[Auntie Debbie]

The dental was pretty routine. The overnight stay with IV was because of the weight loss. My biggest beef was that initially the vet said his teeth were real bad...that is without xrays or digging. I could see if he initially his teeth didn't look too bad and then found alot of crap and problems once they started working on him. But how do you go from really, really bad to not so bad...even before any work is done.
Well he's home and eating. He's also on an appetite stimulant, so it's hard to tell how much he's eating on his own. I plan on putting him in the spare room tonight with fresh food...it would be easier to deny all the others food and water until I take Nanceen in to be spayed tomorrow thann to listen to her hammer at the door in there all night. Plus it will give me a chance to see if he really is eating real amounts of just trying to eat.
He's also on Clavamox.

[Traci]

Do you know if he had gingivitis? Even if the gums are red, swollen, painful, it can cause anorexia, due to the pain.

[Auntie Debbie]

Possibly, the vet I saw today said there was alot of gum inflammation. I didn't see much up front or whereI could see, maybe up furthr. He didn't specifically say what...just inflammation, which could cause pain.