Help! Advice on what to ask vet for dental extraction please!!!

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Alessandra, Apr 20, 2019.

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  1. Alessandra

    Alessandra New Member

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    Apr 18, 2019
    Hi all, today I am taking Knox to get his preop bloodwork done at the vets. He has a tooth that definitely needs to be pulled.I’m not quite sure all the questions to ask. I’ve read that metacam and covenia are bad. I know they are using sevoflurane gas. I know that he will be hooked up to an EKG, he will be on heating pads, but I’m not quite sure what else to ask. I am a home tester, I check for bg always as well as ketones. He’s 17 and I’m really nervous. Any advice on what to ask the vet would be appreciated thanks
     
  2. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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  3. Tina and Gracie (GA)

    Tina and Gracie (GA) Member

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    Is this is first dental? Or first dental since the Dx? It is normal to be scared and nervous. I cry at drop off, I cry on the way home too.
    Are they doing the dental today?? My vet does labs, but only on the day of surgery.

    In terms of antibiotics after . . . I’m not sure if you always get a choice? When Gracie had her dental a few weeks ago they gave her a shot of Covenia and didn’t inform me. Maybe that was because it was a one and done thing?

    I don’t know how your vet operates. I know mine has me sign a bunch of “what if waivers”. For example if they can’t get ahold of me and Gracie needed 3 teeth pulled. Do the have the permission, or I have to put a dollar amount of what I would be willing to spend if they couldn’t get ahold of me.

    Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
     
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  4. Tina and Gracie (GA)

    Tina and Gracie (GA) Member

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    PS: Nice seeing you @FurBabiesMama. I was looking for you the other day when I made my "reentrance". I was hoping Mia would be OTJ, but at least she is steady.
     
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  5. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Hi! I don't post as much as I used to. Mia is apparently a 'hardcore' diabetic, so I'm not sure remission will happen for her. I keep hope alive though. :) She teeters on the edge. I'm sorry you had to start insulin again for Gracie. Hopefully, it will just be temporary.
     
  6. Tom & Thomas (GA)

    Tom & Thomas (GA) Member

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    While some doubt the necessity of an antibiotic after dental work, Clavamox is commonly prescribed. You should have a choice between pill and liquid form, whichever is easier for you to administer. I would decline any offer of a Convenia injection. Some cats react badly to it and it takes a couple months to move out of the cat's system. Not worth the risk for what's just a precautionary measure.

    To help with the pain afterwards, you will most likely get some pre-measured doses of Buprenorphine that you just squirt into the cats's mouth. Works best if you can squirt onto the inside of cheek.

    If an NSAID, like metacam/meloxicam, is part of the story, this should be OK as long as it is dosed properly and the cat doesn't have compromised kidneys.

    The scariest part of this for me was having to sign a form stating whether or not I would want my cat resuscitated if his heart stopped. There is always some risk to general anesthesia.
     
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  7. Tina and Gracie (GA)

    Tina and Gracie (GA) Member

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    @FurBabiesMama Understandable. I'm finding that many members have backed off some, or aren't posting as much as they used to. Life happens.

    I'm hoping this need for Insulin is short lived too. Her last dental seemed to have messed with her taste buds, or GI system.

    I will keep my fingers crossed for Mia!
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2019
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  8. Tina and Gracie (GA)

    Tina and Gracie (GA) Member

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    What @Tom & Thomas said is correct. Some cats have reacted negatively; however, this doesn't mean yours will.
    Take our advice with a grain of salt.

    If you opt for no injection just keep in mind that it isn't always easy getting liquid or a pill down our felines. Especially if they just had dental work. Their mouth will be sore.

    Also, I would only suggest antibiotics if there was a risk of infection. Obviously, we all risk getting an infection after surgery, but some surgeries pose more of a risk. Precautionary measures are nice, but not medically necessary.
     
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  9. Jill & Alex (GA)

    Jill & Alex (GA) Senior Member Moderator

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  10. Alessandra

    Alessandra New Member

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    Hi @Jill & Alex (GA) @Tina R @FurBabiesMama @Tom & Thomas Thank you so much for answering! We went and saw a new vet, she seemed alot more confident. She also LISTENED to me which was unlike the last vet. Knox will definitely need 2 teeth out, possibly 2 more but she wont know until she gets into his mouth and sees the xrays. I asked her for no Metacam or Covenia, Ive read Metacam is very harsh and my poor boy is old. I also read covenia can have terrible side effects. She agreed and said she will send him home with a shot of Clyndamycin and some bupesporin (sorry, not sure how to spell that) She is going to use valium and propofonol and then sevoflurane gas. She has confidence in his blood work, told me to increase his Hyper-T meds to twice a day. I feel better after speaking with her but Im a wreck and already crying thinking of having to Sign a DNR and all these waivers. I am praying he makes it out of this and when he gets home, he'll recover quick but I dont know what to expect. And yes, this is his first dental which I could kick myself for letting it get to this point.:( Thank you
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2019
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  11. Tom & Thomas (GA)

    Tom & Thomas (GA) Member

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    It sounds, thank goodness, like you wound up in very good hands.

    I put off taking Thos in for dental surgery much too long, and for no good reason. But he bounced back nicely after having an upper canine extracted and some other work.

    Have you considered I-131 treatment to take hyperthyroidism out of the picture?
     
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  12. Alessandra

    Alessandra New Member

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    @Tom & Thomas i wasn’t even aware of I-131! Reading up on it now and looks like a great option! Thank you!!!!
     
  13. Tom & Thomas (GA)

    Tom & Thomas (GA) Member

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    Jun 23, 2018
    Yep, it is. The Methimazole is just supressing the symptoms of the underlying condition, which could turn cancerous. The I-131 treatment is effectively a cure.

    As in so many things, Dr Lisa Pierson offers some great perspectives. And here is a thread where a couple of us talk about what going through the treatment was like.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2019
    Reason for edit: clarity
  14. Alessandra

    Alessandra New Member

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    Apr 18, 2019
    @Tom & Thomas thanks again. I definitely want to look into this as soon as he’s done with his cleaning and extractions. I never heard of it! Good stuff thank you
     
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