Teeth Cleaning

[Freedom]

Those costs are quite low compared to what I pay here in RI. About HALF what I pay per cat.

Yes, the cat needs soft foods for at least 3 days after a dental -- longer with extractions. Chaplin had about 6 teeth out last year (can't recall exactly how may) and had to be on soft food for 2 weeks. So do get some in the house.

Cats should not be eating just dry kibble, anyway; this increases their chances of developing kidney disease as they age. Cats in the wild seldom drink water; they get all the fluids they need from their prey. As a result, our domesticated cats do not drink enough water from the water bowl. You must feed soft / wet / canned foods on a regular basis. I've had 4 cats develop CRF - chronic renal failure - due to feeding only dry kibble. I now give at least one meal daily of soft food. I also use baited water to get them to drink.

[phesina]

I also use baited water to get them to drink.

What a good idea, Sandie! What do you bait the water with?

Thanks,
Pat (and cats, who do dip into the water bowls on occasion but could surely use more. They get wet food at least once a day.)

[Asiel]

The quote yopu were given is very good, actually it sounds very close to what our vet charges for this kind of stuff. A few vets charge a lot more so needless to say I will stay with our vet for as long as she is practicing. She has such a large clientele and not just for her great prices but because of her caring, compassionate way with all the animals she treats.

[sirrahbed]

Thank you I now feel good about what I am being charged. Have had no sort of surgery in so long I had no idea what costs might be Dylan also has a lump on his neck that has been there for about 5 years. It has been checked many times but never any suggestion to have it biopsied or removed, but this base vet offered to biopsy it. The next day, the vet who will do his dental offered to remove it while he is asleep and I am thinking this may be a good idea as I would like to have it gone anyway.(we are retired military and thus can have vaccinations and simple things taken care of at very low cost but need a civilian vet to handle any emergencies and illnesses) Our base vet finally biopsied the lump last week but it will take three weeks to find out the results as samples are sent out to a lab in Maryland. . I have to decide if I will have regular vet take it off next week or wait for biopsy results - though I think I would like it gone even if it shows to be benign you know? Surgery is scheduled for this coming Tuesday. Yes I am the one worried about the surgery!! Dylan is so mellow and trusting!! The civilian vet thought it would be good to remove it since he be under anesthesia anyway - just in case it would later turn out to be cancer. She told me that cats often have cancerous tumors - I did not know this though I did have one cat many years ago who died from a cancerous mass in his chest. So I just need to decide if I should go ahead with the surgery or wait a bit longer to know what the biopsy shows...

I will be sure to have some wet food on hand. I imagine Dylan would like that and it would be easier to eat. All of mine have always eaten dry kibble only because I am told it is better for their teeth though I know they love wet food as a fun treat They all drink lots of water as I keep two fountains flowing at all times. That said - we did lose a cat this past year, Eliot - to sudden renal failure. That is also what took our Ernie 11 years ago. I never knew renal failure could be due to dry only food!

How and what is used to "bait" water?

[Karen]

The civilian vet thought it would be good to remove it since he be under anesthesia anyway - just in case it would later turn out to be cancer. She told me that cats often have cancerous tumors - I did not know this though I did have one cat many years ago who died from a cancerous mass in his chest. So I just need to decide if I should go ahead with the surgery or wait a bit longer to know what the biopsy shows...

I would absolutely have it taken out, even if it turns out not to be cancerous, doing it while he is already knocked out will save him an extra round of anesthesia if it turns out to be cancerous, and there's no reason not to get rid of it!

I, myself, am on the "good riddance to bad parts" plan, and have never regretted it!

[emily_the_spoiled]

Ifhe is already going to be under, I would have the lump removed. It will save both you and him the anxiety (and cost) of having another surgery.

[sirrahbed]

Dylan is having both surgeries right now! I will be so glad to go pick him up in about 5 hours!!