Vet had to pull 9 teeth from my little old man cat's mouth!

[fleur-de-lisa]

He broke a tooth off at the gum line last week. The vet saw him and said at least one tooth, maybe 2, and possibly up to 4 had to go.

His dental treatment was yesterday. The vet pulled 9 teeth! All 4 canines, several bottom teeth in the front, and a couple others. She said he will be fine without them. She also said as cats age they often lose teeth because they become brittle and break off.

Poor little Boudreaux is 18 years old. He has had kitty IBS his entire life and takes metronidozale for it. He started showing early signs of kidney problems last year, for which I give him Azodyl.

Despite all of his medical issues, most of the time he is very active. He runs around the house with a toy mouse in his mouth, yowling his head off for fun. He loves to play with his blind little sister, Echo. He has never really bonded with any other cats, but he likes Echo. It took him a few months to figure out that she is blind. He's rather dim. But Boudreaux is the cuddliest cat that has ever owned me.

I think he has remained relatively healthy, despite his issues, because he is pretty thin, even though he eats a lot. In my experience, pudgy cats have a harder time as they age.

Poor baby is on pain meds for the next few days.

[catbyte]

1. Oh, poor guy! If it doesn't hurt his kidneys,

he'd probably appreciate some baby food for the next few days. Just make sure it doesn't have onion powder in it. I think Beechnut is the best. Give the old man a hug for me!

[fleur-de-lisa]

4. I have been giving him extra juciy pate

since he came home and he is eating quite a bit considering what he went through.

Thanks for your great advice and kind words!

[irisblue]

2. very gentle ear skritchies for Boudreaux.

[fleur-de-lisa]

5. Thank you!

[JustAnotherGen]

3. 18 years old!

Oh my! Missing teeth or not - he sounds like a gem!

[fleur-de-lisa]

6. He is sometimes a pain in the butt

but I love him as much as I love my daughter! He is my second child.

[Lisa0825]

7. The shelter I used to foster for had 2 cats that had all their teeth pulled

and they did just fine. Like nothing ever happened.

((((hugs)))) to you and Boudreaux!

My Mr. Jennings is only 12, and he already broke one tooth off several months ago. A dental vet was going to do a full dental workup on him and see how many extractions he'd need, but he nixed it after looking at his previous body x-ray because of a hernia that made him a high risk for anesthesia. So far, he seems to be doing fine, but it makes me squirm when I see him biting his toenails! (He strongly prefers to do his own pedicures, despite my best efforts.)

[fleur-de-lisa]

10. Awww, poor Mr. Jennings.

Give him a smoochie from Boudreaux and me!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. He'll be OK without fangs since he doesn't have to do his own hunting.

I hope he feels better soon!

[fleur-de-lisa]

11. The vet said the same thing when I asked how he would eat.

Thanks for your kind words!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. The fangs are just for killing prey, so he won't need them.

Cats don't do a lot of chewing like we do; they kind of slice up their prey with the scissor-like teeth along the sides of their mouths and swallow it in chunks. Your little old guy will be able to eat soft food and even small bits of dry food just fine. He might even be able to eat better than before, now that he doesn't have discomfort from his bad teeth.

[Daemonaquila]

9. In some ways it's a good thing.

I hope Boudreaux feels better fast. The silver lining here, though, is that he was at good enough shape at 18 to have that dental work done, and he'll probably be even better off afterward healthwise. My little old beast at 18 was too sick for such things, and the oral disease probably helped push his diabetes into overdrive. Cheers to Boudreaux having more years as your healthy (mostly) and happy cuddle-bug!

[fleur-de-lisa]

12. Thanks so much! eom

[KT2000]

14. check out Lil Bub

she never had teeth so she is a pro and I bet your little old man will be too. Lil Bub's favorite is yogurt!
Fast healing wishes to your guy.

[shenmue]

17. Lil Bub is cool!

[pansypoo53219]

15. my mom's cat had to have most removed. he had BAD cheap DRY kitten food. my male cat had a feline

tooth issue. same for tigers and such, the teeth just go bad. but just lose them.

[shenmue]

16. Dr. Tinycat recommends hugs and kisses