Op to have all teeth removed...any advise please?

My cat Daisy is only 2 years old but has suffered from Gingivitus for most of her life. Her gums have now got so bad that medication is no longer having any effect. The vet has advised she has an operation to have all her teeth taken out now. I am really worried about this. The vet says that it is a very risky operation as all her teeth are well rooted and healthy...it is her gums that are diseased. This makes it a lot more difficult to remove the teeth. Also, because she is Persian she has restricted breathing due to her squashed nose which I have been told is a risk not only during the operation but also after. They are not sure how things will go so are going to monitor her as each tooth is removed and see how she does. It may mean another operation later if all teeth can not be removed in one op. Obviously my main worry is that she makes it through the operation as she has lost a lot of weight recently due to not being able to eat properly. I would be grateful for any advice.

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23 Apr 2008 14:21

catwoman

Thanks for all the comments and advise. Daisy is now home after her op. She had all her teeth taken out and has coped really well. It is amazing how happy she seems now...like Boris, she has got her life back. The vet said that her mouth was much worse than they originally thought. Her gums were full of pus. They told me that even if things had not turned out so well, it would still have been the right decision to go ahead with the op as she was really suffering and would have become seriously ill. I am so glad it is over now and she is recovering really well. She has lost a lot of weight recently so need some big dinners now. She has been able to eat chicken for the first time which is great. It just shows that the pain of having all her teeth out is not as bad as the pain she was suffering before.

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22 Mar 2008 16:32

Jennifer Law

Hi
Our cat Boris suffered from gingivitis for years, he lost weight and was very ill through this. Our vet made the same recommendation, after a lot of thought we decided to go ahead, he was just always on anibiotics, injections every few weeks.
Anyway it was brilliant he has not suffered from any gingivitis since, he was eating like a horse again the next day. cats gums are very hard and they can still chew, Boris still crunches his way through dried food and hunts and eats mice. he has got his life back and started to act like a kitten again.

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22 Mar 2008 12:51

Mary * End B.S.L *

So sorry to read about your predictament regarding Daisy.....obviously all operations carry a risk where GA is concerned and extra risk's are obviously when an animal is either old,overweight,very ill or have genetic/hereditary problems such as your's has restricted breathing because of her breed.
Your cat is obviously in need of this operation and your vet has given you some very good advice and thought's to think over........your vet also appreciate's the risk but is still willing to carry out the operation in order to make things more comfortable for Daisy.Therefore,I would be at the hand's of the vet.......if she was mine and they were my vet's......and say,well I'm happy to go through with what you recommend for her sake,and I know the risk's but also know that you will do whatever you can to minimize them.
OF COURSE,it will be a worry and on the day you'll never be a nervous wreck.......but if Daisy does not have this operation.....you have to ask yourself.....what will her quality of life be,with a painful mouth ?????.
She will be able to cope perfectly without teeth,so long as her food is soft,mushy and easy to swallow......but again the vet will advise you as to what best diet would suit her afterwards.
Trust your vet and follow your instinct's where Daisy is concerned.......let us please know,how it all goes.....all the very best with her now.

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