Teeth cleaning

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Hi all, long time no see.

Now that we're settled in one spot for the winter again, it's time to start thinking about getting Robin's teeth cleaned. At her last vet visit, which was the first vet visit she's had since we got her, the vet mentioned her teeth are pretty bad and one might even need to be extracted.

So, we've been checking with vets in the area and we are finding out that prices vary widely on teeth cleaning. The first big issue is whether they need to be sedated or not. It's about $150.00 to do it without sedation, but that would be a cleaning only - if extractions are necessary, the price jumps significantly! The one place quoted a starting price of $800.00 for a sedated cleaining, then extractions would be on top of that. She said a typical price with extractions is $1,200.00! I had no idea this procedure is that expensive!

So I was wondering, what are others out there paying to have their cats' teeth cleaned?

CJ could use a cleaning, but the vet said his isn't as critical as Robin's, so the good news is we don't need to do both of them at the same time. WAY easier on the pocket book that way.

By the way, they are both doing well and we will be in Indio, CA for the winter instead of in Arizona. I found one Cat only clinic within a reasonable distance, but it turns out that vet retired and they are doing boarding only now, so I guess it's back to waiting rooms with d-o-g-s for the snots again.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I had Oliver's teeth done a couple of months ago and I was taken back at the $550 for a sedated cleaning. I guess I won't complain when I read about the prices you have

[Grace]

Good grief - when we had Red's teeth cleaned, including one extraction and sedation, it was only $300.

For the others, cleaning under sedation, no extractions, it runs about $250.

[Barbara]

Even with the exchange rate you better think in investing in a flight over here: Tooth cleaning with sedation like 100 Euro.

[Killearn Kitties]

That sounds unbelievably expensive. I have looked out the invoice for the last time we had Sam's teeth cleaned. She had some problems and needed four extractions. I remember the vet saying that a couple of the teeth were stubborn, and she was under anaesthetic for just under an hour.

Anaesthetic - £57.02
Oxygen - £12.77
Dental work - £102.00
Inject Amoxycare - £4.94
Inject Metacalm - £5.32
Dispense antirobe caps - £7.69
Bloodsample £17.45
Various tests 5 x £5.96

The total invoice came to £236.99 plus tax, and the vet was falling over herself to explain why it was so expensive. With the current exchange rate that bill would be around $480, but more normally it would be a similar amount in dollars.

[Cinder & Smoke]

I had no idea this procedure is that expensive!

We will be in Indio, CALIFORNIA, for the winter instead of in Arizona.

I think "expensive" and "California" are synomonous!

[carole]

I have been quoted around 300 dollars for sedation and it could get higher,but i do know of at least two extractions needed, so hoping that is included in the price,just about as expensive as a human dentist.

[Taz_Zoee]

Taz had a tooth extracted a couple years ago, but I don't recall the exact amount. I don't think it was $1200, and I am in California. I'm going to look up my invoice when I get home, now I am curious.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I think "expensive" and "California" are synomonous!

Amen brother!

The E's are going together... to the vet this Saturday. I will ask the price of cleaning and extraction (and pray neither of them need it!)

[slick]

Max had his toofies cleaned in either 2003 or 2004....I can't remember just when.....and he had 2 extractions. The total bill only came to about $400 and some change. That's Canadian money don't forget and now it's up to $1.10 US last time I checked. hee hee

Good luck!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, Even for CA these prices seem way too high. I just looked up Storm's dental cleaning record and he had his teeth cleaned in Jan.2006. He had the pre-op blood work done and one tooth extracted. This was at my old vets and they were also having a dental special so I saved 20% off of the cleaning. Here's the breakdown of the cost:

Laboratory -Inside.......
Pcv-Total Protein 16.00
Pre-Op Panel- In House 42.00

Injectables...............
Antibiotic Injection 42.50 Intravenous Catheter 34.50
Pain Control Injection 42.50

Dentistry................
Dental Special Feline 2006 140.00
Office Call/Exam Oral
Induction- Minor
Isoflurane- Short- 15-30
Dental Cleaning-Feline-Routine
Polish Teeth- Feline -Routine
Flouride Treatment- Feline
Dental Charting
Chlorhex Dental Chews
Dental Special Discount Feline
Extraction(s)- Routine 75.00

Prescription Medications........................
Clavamox Tabs 62.5mg 13.81
Buprenex Oral (Per ml) 20.45
______
Total 427.26


Starr had his teeth cleaned at the same vet in Dec.2006 without any extractions.

Pain Control Injection 46.50
Pre-Op Panel -In-House 46.50
Antibiotic Injection 46.50
Intravenous Catheter 36.50
Pcv-Total Protein 18.00
Antirobe Aquadrops 20ml 11.50
Dental Cleaning-F9 Package 199.00
Level-1 Hospitalization 48.00
Discount-Dental Special 2006 -90.50
______
Total 362.00

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Neither Tubby nor Peanut ever had their teeth cleaned (vet never mentioned they needed it), so this is all new to me.

We found another vet that is actually nearby that quoted "around $500.00" depending on "which phase" her teeth and gums are in. I guess it goes from Phase 1 to Phase 5, with Phase 5 being the most expensive. Let's hope and pray for Phase 1.

The people in this place were way nicer than the first place we went. The first place we went is a HUGE place with probably 10 vets, and I got the feeling it wasn't to personal of a place, where you'd never see the same doctor twice, much less the same person at the front desk. The 3 place - which is the $500.00 price - was just sooo much nicer. A lady came in with a 14 week old Doberman and she and Terry were talking while I was asking questions at the front desk. Turns out this lady had recently had her 15 year old Rottweiler put down. She was telling Terry how she had taken it to the expensive place because they are the only emergency vets in the area. When she went to visit the dog, they had her tied in a cage where her head was forced up into an uncomfortable position by the leash - supposedly to restrict movement. The lady was appalled at the treatment. First of all the dog was 13 years old and had obviously been traumatized by whatever the emergency was. Second of all she was not an aggressive Rottie and had never been a problem for any vet she had ever been taken to. The lady said it took her 3 weeks to get the dog's spirit back after that one overnight stay.

Needless to say, after hearing that story, and seeing how the girls at this front desk treated not only the lady and her dog like family, made me feel soooo much better and I went ahead and made an initial appointment for Robin. At that time, the vet will determine the best course of action, and whether or not any extractions will be needed.

Oh, and an initial appointment with the expensive place was $82.50 and at this place it was $52.50. Just in appointments alone I'll save a ton of money with this place.....and receive more personal care too.

I guess the moral of the story is it pays to shop around. I'll be sure to let you all know what the vet says after Robin's appt next Tuesday.

Sara, good luck with the E's this weekend!

[Catlady711]

Debbie, Even for CA these prices seem way too high. I just looked up Storm's dental cleaning record and he had his teeth cleaned in Jan.2006. He had the pre-op blood work done and one tooth extracted. This was at my old vets and they were also having a dental special so I saved 20% off of the cleaning. Here's the breakdown of the cost:

Laboratory -Inside.......
Pcv-Total Protein 16.00
Pre-Op Panel- In House 42.00

Injectables...............
Antibiotic Injection 42.50 Intravenous Catheter 34.50
Pain Control Injection 42.50

Dentistry................
Dental Special Feline 2006 140.00
Office Call/Exam Oral
Induction- Minor
Isoflurane- Short- 15-30
Dental Cleaning-Feline-Routine
Polish Teeth- Feline -Routine
Flouride Treatment- Feline
Dental Charting
Chlorhex Dental Chews
Dental Special Discount Feline
Extraction(s)- Routine 75.00

Prescription Medications........................
Clavamox Tabs 62.5mg 13.81
Buprenex Oral (Per ml) 20.45
______
Total 427.26


Starr had his teeth cleaned at the same vet in Dec.2006 without any extractions.

Pain Control Injection 46.50
Pre-Op Panel -In-House 46.50
Antibiotic Injection 46.50
Intravenous Catheter 36.50
Pcv-Total Protein 18.00
Antirobe Aquadrops 20ml 11.50
Dental Cleaning-F9 Package 199.00
Level-1 Hospitalization 48.00
Discount-Dental Special 2006 -90.50
______
Total 362.00

Basically those sound fairly similar to our prices with a few exceptions...

$46.50 for antibiotic or pain injections??!! WOW!!

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

The price for sedation, cleaning, and antibiotics for Oreo last year was under $250. (And I'm in CA.)

She's a dog, but I don't see how that would change the price drastically...

[Freedom]

I haven't paid anywhere NEAR the prices you are posting!

And the vets I've used, they charge per extraction -- $75 -- but you only pay for a maximum of 5 extractions. If the cat needs 6 or 16 teeth out, you only pay for 5. If the cat needs 3 out, you pay for the 3.

I can't imagine cleaning a cat's teeth with no sedation. I wasn't even aware they offered such a thing!

Oh, and if the cat is 7 or older, they insist on doing a blood work up first, to ensure the cat can tolerate the sedative with no unknown complications.