Cally and Princess' visit to the vet

[stephbg]

I try to keep on top of the cats' dental health, but since they're all getting on I sent them off for a teeth clean. Well, that was the plan back in September when they had their shots. Pumpkin got done last year, but life intervened as it tends to do, so Cally and Princess didn't get done until today. $700 later... (actually over a thousand all up for the three of them) *wince*



All went well. Mostly. In the interests of recycling I've included a rough copy of the notes I gave to the vet. They liked my notes. They liked them A LOT. Given that most of my professional writing probably gets professionally ignored most of the time it's nice to be appreciated. Tradesmen like my notes too :-)

Physically they're both in good condition for their age (my cats and my car seem to share that assessment). Princess needed another extraction, but rather to my surprise Cally didn't. Princess needed a painkilling shot so she's still pretty wonky, with one droopy eyelid and damp and scraggly fur around her ears.

They've both still got a foreleg bandage on from the drip, but I'll take those off soon. They have been around for smooches but right now they're in hiding somewhere doing some serious post-trauma washing.

Cally was "a little bit naughty" according to the vet nurse. Since Cally has inflicted considerable damage to vet staff in the past I wonder what that meant this time. I did not inquire further.

There's a new option for pain relief for Cally, so I've got a backup plan there. It's not an anti-inflammatory; actually it's a painkiller called Tramol that I've had myself when I had shingles. I wouldn't take it myself by choice, but I'm prepared to try it on my cat if necessary.

Cally and Princess Twinkle Toes Bxxx-Gxxx
Vet notes Friday 12 Feb 2010
Contact: Stephanie Bxxx-Gxxx xxxx xxx xxx

Cally (grey and white domestic short hair)
If the vet considers it necessary and worth the risk in light of her age:
" Anaesthetic with fluids for dental clean and extractions as required.
" Clip claws

She's about 16-17 years and feeling her arthritis, but heart, lungs and kidneys seem to be working fine. No recent changes in feeding, drinking or elimination behaviour.

Has been on occasional .36ml Metacam for definitely observable pain relief, but only for short periods as it inevitably makes her vomit. Last dose Tuesday night.

Princess (tortie and white domestic long hair)
" Anaesthetic with fluids for dental clean and extractions as required.
" Clip claws
" Brush out fur
" Check/clean ears
" Check small lump at base of right ear opening.

No recent changes in feeding, drinking or elimination behaviour.

Comments

[jennyblackford.livejournal.com]

If your cats won't eat the vet-recommended chicken necks or chicken-wings to keep their teeth nice - and my old cat and new cat both abominate/d them - you could try quail, which are much more like small birds. Expensive, but one a week compares very favourably with a vet tooth-clean, and it's much more fun for the cat.

[stephbg.livejournal.com]

I've never managed to persuade a cat to do any more than sniff a raw chicken wing, including dangling one from a piece of string. Enticingly! I've been feeding them special teeth crunchies as part of the crunchie cocktail for years, but only found out last year that they're effective only if eaten separately.

[jennyblackford.livejournal.com]

The cocktail doesn't work? Really? I'm giving Felix alternating top-ups of Hills Science Diet Dental Care (or whatever it is) and Indoor Cat in his huge bowl - so how does the Indoor Cat portion nullify the toothy bit?

Let me know how your cats deal with quail, if you try it. Brucey used to attack his whole, but fussy Felix requires them sectioned. The drumsticks are the best, he says, followed by the backbones. He's not at all keen on the meaty torso, especially the breasts - so I remove the backbone and drumsticks, give them to Felix, and freeze the yummy butterflied remainder for us, to be grilled when we accumulate enough for a decent feed.

Brucey used to leave the room, pointedly, if I tried to tempt him with raw chicken.