Amber is having pain.

[jenluckenbach]

Amber has had mouth/gum issues for quite some time now. She has been on pred. for, wow, probably 2 years now. the doses keep needing to be given closer together to control her pain.

Well, Monday she went for her yearly physical and the vet said it is time to remove a good majority of her teeth. (I kneow this would be in her future). The vet said she would do it at her clinic (for the rescue groups) when she returned from vacation (in 2 weeks) This could have saved me hunderds of dollars.

Amber, though, had other plans. In spite of being prescribed a pain medication to go along with her pred. she has been in such pain the last 2 days that she won't eat anything. (not even the softest of foods).

So she went in to my vet's office today (to see a vet I never met) who suggested doing the dental ASAP. (as soon as posible).

The surgery will be Tuesday. The cost will depend on the number of extractions (and there will probably be a LOT) and the time factor. The estimate was $350 to $550. Many of you will think this sounds reasonable (and I guess it is), but it means I AGAIN have to postpone purchasing my own new eyeglasses to pay for this. :( (I postponed the glasses already back in May when Lucas needed the ultrasound and never quite got up the money to order them)

The good news is, her blood work is great, so other than this stomatitis she's good to go. (Amber is 10 1/2 years old, by the way)

Pray she can find some painfree moments in the next few days to eat some food. And that she flies through surgery with flying colors. (and that I find a wallet with $500 in it. ;) )

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh Jen, I'm so sorry that this has come up now. I remember Amber having trouble in the past and you talking about her teeth having to be taken out. Poor girl!

I hope she perks up a bit with the painkiller.

[Mcat]

Many prayers for Amber.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jen, I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I hope that Amber will start eating something and that everything will go well with her surgery. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way.

[catfamily]

I''m so sorry you have to go through this.Poor Amber too but she's so fortunate to have you to do this for her.I've payed hundreds for teeth pulling on so many cats and between those bills and so many other vet specialist bills and bloodwork on at least half my cats and Winston with his heart...I can't believe we still have a home.But in the end it will hopefully work out.
You may not be able to see because you can't afford glassess for yourself but she'll tell you how happy she is later that you spent so much on her :)
I hope you find that wallet ;)

[rg_girlca]

Oh Jen, I am so sorry to hear that Amber is having teefie problems. Come on sweetie, try to eat a little something.

Prayers on the way that her surgery goes well.

[catmandu]

We are sorry to hear that Ambers is such pain.
I know what you are going through as Preciouss ear is going to cost about 500 dollars too.
There goes the plans for a new floor in the spare bedroom, and new books for me.
But as you say Jen, Our Cats come first!!
The Pet Angels will bring Amber some treats from the Caribbean to tide her over until her surgery.
John Hancock, who has only one tooth left, is praying especially hard for his Friend Amber.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/cats066.jpg
As is JJJ3!

[kittycats_delight]

oh poor Amber...how ouchy those teeters must be. :( Amber sweety...you need to eat a little sumfin sumfin. I hope her surgery goes well and she heals quickly so she can get back to eating normally again and be rid of that nasty teeters pain.

[jenluckenbach]

I bought Amber CatSure (like Ensure for people) figuring if she could not eat, she might just drink. ($7.50 for a small can :eek: ) She wouldn't touch it! :mad:

Now get this!!: the vet sent home a feeding syringe so I could force feed her baby food. I TOLD them that Amber yelled with pain when I would open her mouth to give her pills, how the heck am I going to force feed her?!?!? They said, all you need to do it put the little curved tip between her lips and teeth. Well, I bet the world over heard the blood curcling scream that came out of Amber when I tried to do this last night. :(

Charlie later did get her to eat a very little bit. (thank heavens. She IS Charlie's girl, you know) Come on Tuesday!! Poor Amber acts hungry but it actually afraid to eat for fear of pain. I can't believe how fast this came on. She has been doing so well up until this past Monday.

I have not offered food yet this morning, we shall see what hapens..

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh poor baby! I am sending lots of soothing vibes Amber's way.

[CultureJunky]

Get well soon Amber, I really hope the pain goes and it isn't too bad. When you've had your operation, it'll be so much better for you. I'm praying that you won't be in pain

[catfamily]

It's so sad how they get in such pain with mouth issues.They seem to need dental work more than any other animal.My vet and my old vet as well said the same.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Oh poor baby.... :(
Don't you worry Jen, my nephews cat Doki had same problem this summer! They extracted ALL her teeth-but-one in one operation! We all thought he would feel miserable; but he started eating almosr immediately! Only few days later he was already happy nibbling on his dry food :) :)
He still a gorgeous and stunning boy!!

here he is, together with his Siamese sister Floepie
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/mario1.jpg

[catcrazylady]

Gosh Jen I'm so sorry to hear about Amber. :( I have been lucky so far and never had the dental issues here but I've seen lots of it at the shelter. Its so sad to see them want to eat but won't because of pain. It only figures that something would happen now instead of waiting two more weeks, huh?
Dental work is so darn expensive! It's a shame you have to put off getting your glasses again but look at this way.....Now you won't be able to see how poor you are!!! :eek: :D
That wasn't funny was it??? ;)

I've had to put off some of my own dental work with all the labs we did during the horrid FIP outbreak so I know what your going through.

Prayers and good wishes that Amber feels better real soon.

[catnapper]

Oh Jen I am so sorry! I hope the surgery solves all the problkems, and I hope you get the money together soon for new glasses (I know all about needing new glasses)

[K & L]

Good luck with this Jen. I'll keep fingers and paws crossed for her.

[jenluckenbach]

Now you won't be able to see how poor you are!!!
Cute :rolleyes: VERY cute! :p

[catcrazylady]

Cute :rolleyes: VERY cute! :p


LOL!!! You know I love ya Jen. :D

[kimlovescats]

I know exactly what you are going through. I have TWO with dental problems. Dexter had a cleaning a few months ago, but still has problems with dry food causing him pain. My vet said that his teeth themselves looked too good for her to want to remove them. It's the GUMS causing the problems! We are just in a "wait and see" mode with him. So far he is eating enough wet food to maintain his weight.

Boots, my very shy feral boy, has awful mouth pain. When I took him to the vet, the new young one saw him. She and the tech couldn't handle his feralness and he ended up in the garbage can hiding. I had taken him at the same time as Dexter, so he remained in the garbage can while Dexter was examined. *sigh* I was the one who scruffed him to get him out of the can and back in his carrier. All that "could be" done for Boots at that time was to give him Clindamycin in his wet food. He does eat his wet food fairly good, but he's still not eating enough to maintain a good weight. He is still very thin and he's so darned skiddish about eating, that I have to plan exactly how and when and where I put his plate. It is VERY frustrating caring for Boots! It's just a matter of time before I have to take him back to my vet .... next time will be the owner, with years of experience. My vet's office has hired so many new vets (trying to gradually retire, I think) that I hardly ever get to actually see him! I hate it, because he is the one I started with!
I'm guessing that they will have to knock Boots out some just to really examine him next time.

Good luck getting the funds together for Amber. I know how that is too ... especially right now. I've had two vet visits in the past week, for abscesses from a mean tortie! :rolleyes:

[jenluckenbach]

My vet said that his teeth themselves looked too good for her to want to remove them. It's the GUMS causing the problems
YUP! Amber had a dental at the begining of the year. I too thought MORE teeth were going to be removed, but the vet said they did not look bad enough. I thought it would buy us more time.

All I pray is that it WORKS!! I really don't want to experience that blood curdling scream any more. :(

[kimlovescats]

I really don't want to experience that blood curdling scream any more. :(

Boots does the same thing! It about scares me out of my skin every time!!! :eek: :(

[jenluckenbach]

thank God the surgery is just half a day away. :( Amber desperately wants to eat, but gets scared away after a few bites by a shot of pain. She has barely eaten enought to keep a bird alive the last few days.

So, tonight she CAN'T have food, nor tomorrow. So I hope by Wed. she feels perky enough to actually EAT!

But Amber is a fighter!! For those who don't know, when we adopted Amber she was a 7 month old, 4.5 pound kitten who came from our local shelter. She came down with the WORST URI ever! Would not eat and needed to be hospitlized (over Thanksgiving of that year, as a matter of fact) for IV treatment and 24 hour care. She lost weight down to 3 pounds (now imagine a 7 month old at only 3 pounds....she was pathetic) but she pulled through! Our miracle (expen$ive) baby. But never a problem since, except for her teeth.

So pray for her nightmare to be over SOON!! thanks.

[Russian Blue]

That must be horrible watching poor Amber in pain. Plus, I can just imagine how hard it was to hear that scream when all you wanted to do was feed her.:(

Sending many positive vibes for a successful and healing surgery. Hang in there Amber, you'll be better soon!

[kimlovescats]

Hoping that Amber's surgery goes well and the results are a pain free kitty! ;)

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'll be keeping Amber in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that everything will go well tomorrow. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

How is Amber now, Jen? Is she in surgery today?

[jenluckenbach]

How is Amber now, Jen? Is she in surgery today?
It is still VERY early here. She will go to the vet in 3 hours. I do not know the actual time of the surgery.

Silly Amber is feeling quite well, anyway, she has been running around like a kitten. I guess fasting agrees with her. (LOL)

I won't be able to update until this evening, but I'll let you know how it goes.

[catfamily]

It is still VERY early here. She will go to the vet in 3 hours. I do not know the actual time of the surgery.

Silly Amber is feeling quite well, anyway, she has been running around like a kitten. I guess fasting agrees with her. (LOL)

I won't be able to update until this evening, but I'll let you know how it goes.
heehee...I know Fasting wouldn't agree with me.lol
Wishing her good luck and many years of good health from this upcoming surgery today :)

[Felicia's Mom]

I hope Amber's surgery goes well.

[kimlovescats]

Good luck Amber and Jen! ;)

[Logan]

I am keeping Amber in my thoughts, today, Jen. I am learning, the hard way, that having multiple pets is quite a strain on the checkbook!!! *sigh* Honey and I were at the vet this morning, as a matter of fact. :( And Butter is going tomorrow for an injection to clear his skin, hopefully. :(

Hope you can read this and the PM I sent to you a little while ago!!! ;)

Logan

[jenluckenbach]

Just got the call that Amber did fine. She had 10 teeth pulled. We'll be picking her up at 7pm.

[catfamily]

Just got the call that Amber did fine. She had 10 teeth pulled. We'll be picking her up at 7pm.
I and everyone else here I'm sure have been waiting for this.
Oh I'm so happy she did well.10 teeth is so many but you watch and see the huge difference with her in just a couple days.
My BooBoo had such severe Stomatitis and had that many teeth out and WHAT a difference!He was like a little kitten again at an old age.
Happy Happy so Happy for Amber :) :)

[catlover4ever]

Jen I'm so glad to see that Amber made it through the surgery. Keep us updated with her progress....we are pulling for her. :)

[Russian Blue]

I'm glad to hear that everything went well.

Jen, would I assume correctly that Amber needs to be on a wet only diet now? Does she like wet food?

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

I'm glad to hear that everything went well.

Jen, would I assume correctly that Amber needs to be on a wet only diet now? Does she like wet food?

I don't think that will ne necessary, Cass; my nephew's cat got ALL his teeth pulled out, and started eating dry food right away :)

Ho ho, Jen, I am so happy to hear that Amber made it through her surgery! It will only go better with her from now on!!

[jenluckenbach]

I'm glad to hear that everything went well.

Jen, would I assume correctly that Amber needs to be on a wet only diet now? Does she like wet food?
She has been eating wet food only for quite some time now. the dry food I use has a very small kibble, though, so I assume she might eat some of that too.
One of my fosters had only 2 teeth left and he ate dry food.

[orangemm]

Hopefully Amber will have no pain from now on. I'm happy she came through the surgery ok.

Will keep fingers & paws crossed for her!

[jenluckenbach]

She's home. She's all wobbly from the anesthesia. She'll be needing to stay in a cage tonight to prevent her from falling down the stairs, etc.

Hopefully tomorrow she will want to eat!!!

And the total bill was incredible! There IS a God! Total came to $307.65. WHEW!

[rg_girlca]

Jen, I am SO relieved that Amber came through her surgery okay.
I hope she has a good night and starts to eat again real soon.

[kimlovescats]

YAY! Congrats to Amber and Mommy! :D

[catnapper]

Welcome Home Amber!

I bet you're kissing up to daddy and giving evil glares to meowmie. Rest well tonight sweety and eat lots of food in the morning.

[AbbyMom]

I'm so glad she came through OK. I'm sure she'll be feeling better right away.


And the total bill was incredible! There IS a God! Total came to $307.65. WHEW!

Sure sounds like a miracle to me...seems like most routine office visits come to that much for Becky & Abby. :rolleyes:

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad that Amber's surgery went well and that she's back home.:) Now hopefully she'll start eating soon,felling better and make a speedy recovery.:)

[catcrazylady]

I'm so happy to hear everything went well for Amber! Our spay/neuter clinic was yesterday and everytime the vet opened a kitties mouth to check teeth I thought about poor Amber. I'm so glad she will be out of pain now.

I know I was teasing you about the bill but that sure was a blessing! That is still a lot of money but dental work usually costs so much more.

{{{HUGS}}} to meowmie for all the heartache before the surgery and BIG {{{{HUGS}}}} to Amber and prayers for a quick healing.

[Logan]

I hope you're feeling better this morning, Amber!!!! :) So glad everything went well, and less expensively, than expected!!! :D

[catlover4ever]

Jen I'm glad to see that Amber made it through her surgery OK....I'm also glad the bill was not too bad for you....I know all too well doing without for the sake of my babies.

[Killearn Kitties]

How is the little patient today? Hope she is more herself and not wobbly!

The bill was just unbelievable for all that work! They must love you at that vet's!

[Felicia's Mom]

I'm glad Amber came through her surgery OK. :)

[catmandu]

Thats great that Ambers home and hopefully she will do as well as John Hancock has done with only one tooth.
That Vet has given you a great price, its nice to see that he was giving you the break that you deserve.
My Vet does the same thing with the Found Cats as he knows that I am on a fixed income.
We are pleased that Amber is home where she can recover with her Guardians and Friends.
Precious sends her a Special Healing MEEEEOOOWWW!!!