Vancouver Feline Hospital - Cat Veterinary Clinic

It is not unusual for veterinarians to suggest biopsy or lump removal at the same time as the dental, but any surgery which is considered to enter the body cavity or be more major than a simple lump removal should not be done at the same time. This is because we know that as soon as we start to clean the teeth, the bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream in large numbers and can cause infection of any surgery site. Some surgeons do suggest a single antibiotic injection at the time of the dental to help prevent problems.

Anaesthetic protocols have significantly improved in the last few years, and provided any underlying or concurrent disease has been identified and stabilized, the anaesthetic poses very few problems for your kitty. The anaesthetist, either your veterinarian or a veterinary specialist, will make adjustments to the protocol as needed. Today it is usual for only food to be withheld overnight (12 hours prior to surgery) and water is withheld only a few hours - normally at the hospital on the day. If your cat has been identified on the preanaesthetic tests as having renal insufficiency (kidney problems) or mild liver concerns, then the veterinarian may have suggested your cat stay the night before on iv fluids. On the day, your cat will receive a painkiller and anxiolytic/sedative as premedication, then will be induced using intravenous drugs, an endotracheal tube placed and anaesthetic maintained on gas/oxygen via the tube. The IV catheter remains in place during the anaesthetic and your cat will receive IV fluids during and after the anaesthetic according to its individual needs. The anaesthetic is monitored using blood pressure Doppler readings or a pulse oximeter. Each dental cleaning takes two people - one to do the cleaning and one to monitor the patient. The anaesthetic is usually about 40 minutes but may be longer depending on what needs to be done. Various methods are used to keep your cat warm and comfortable during the whole process.

Once the teeth have been cleaned, the veterinarian checks each tooth and will make recommendations based on those findings. Part of this check is radiographs (x-rays), like your dentist does for you. The cavities that cause the problem are under the gums, and so we will not see them unless they are severe enough to have really destroyed the crown of the tooth. Before making a decision whether to extract or save a tooth, the veterinarian needs to evaluate the radiograph to assess the health of the underlying jawbone and the condition of the tooth roots and pulp cavity. Often we see abscesses (pockets of infection - pus and bacteria) at the very tips of the tooth roots.

The veterinarian may give antibiotics by injection and prescribe antibiotics for home after care if there is gingivitis or any concern about infection.

If your cat needs an extraction, or any other painful dental procedure, the veterinarian may give another painkiller injection or perform special nerve blocks (similar to the freezing injections your dentist does to you).

All findings and procedures are recorded with your cats' dental chart. Did you know that your cat has thirty teeth, normally - enough to allow almost individual identification using dental records?

When your cat is awake and ready to go home, the veterinarian or technician should discuss with you what was done, what was found and all about the home care plan.

The home care plan is a very important part of the dental care for your cat. Just as your dentist is very insistent that you should brush your teeth every day to prevent dental disease, so do veterinarians suggest you do something every day at home to prevent and slow down the progression of periodontal disease in your cat. Because it is not always possible to brush your cats' teeth, veterinarians have several options available to promote dental health. Please ask and get information about these! Do not use a human product unless specifically advised by your veterinarian, as many human dental products including toothpaste and oral rinses can cause harm to your cat!

Your cat may need several "dentals" in his/her lifetime, depending on what you can do at home for your cat, and your cat (since resistance to periodontal disease is strongly linked to genetics). Veterinary dental specialists are available for consultation and your veterinarian may even refer you and your cat. Proper dental care has been shown to increase lifespan and quality of life by 2-3 years per cat (that is equivalent to over 9 years in a human).

Remember - whenever you leave your cat at the veterinary hospital, always leave a number where the staff can get hold off you - at any time! If you are not carrying a cell phone or pager, or will not have it on at a certain time, be sure the veterinary staff know this - and know specific times when you will be available. Some decisions may have to be made regarding extractions or treatment whilst your cat is under anaesthetic, and the veterinary staff need to be able to contact you at that time!