Should I Allow My 9/14-Year Old Cat To Be Put Under Anesthesia?

Just like in humans, dental disease leads to kidney failure and heart disease. All of the bacteria from the infected teeth and gums just pour into the system. While there is always a risk of anesthesia whatever the age of the animal, the risk of allowing this to continue is even greater. If she's got an infected tooth, it has to come out. It's going to end up abscessing and become extremely painful. So yes it *is* necessary. Would you allow a loose and infected tooth to remain in YOUR mouth, or would you have the dentist fix it? Your vet is correct - the antibiotics took care of the current round of inflammation, but that is merely a symptom of an underlying problem - dental disease. Until you fix the real problem, the infection is going to keep coming back, and getting worse not better.

Yes, you can get a second opinion from another vet, but it doesn't sound like the current one is recommending anything strange or unnecessary. Sooner or later her mouth is going to get so painful that she's going to stop eating all together, then you'll have an even bigger problem to deal with (meaning more expensive).

First, putting a pet under anesthesia with a heart murmur is always risky, but so is putting an animal under anesthesia that's perfectly healthy. The best thing to do, if you choose to do the dentistry, is to to have bloodwork done to make sure that everything else looks ok. The doctor will monitor your cat with machines just like in human hospitals to keep an eye on how the cat is doing during the dentistry.

As for removing the tooth, that's perfectly reasonable. It's loose and getting infected. And the cat doesn't actually need that tooth for anything.

As for your cat's low weight, either she hasn't been eating well due to the problem with her teeth over the last one and a half months, or she's naturally a small cat. Both of those are no HUGE concerns, but if she's thin due to something else, that will show up in the bloodwork. And if it's something major, the doctor wouldn't put her under anesthesia to do the dentistry anyway.

I think, if it was me, I would trust the doctor and do the dentistry because in the long run, it's healthier for the cat to have healthy teeth.

Good luck.

For you own sanity I would probably get the opinion of another vet. Our approx 13-15 year old cat just went in and was put under anesthetic. The vet assured us that she tests each cat for a reaction to the drugs before they are actually put under for any procedure. He had to have several teeth pulled and I can't imagine doing that without him being knocked out first. I am really not sure why he is only giving her clavamox. That is more of a respiratory infection kind of antibiotic. Our vet loves the new 2 week antibiotic shot...I wish I could remember what it was called. But I do not think Clavamox is enough in this situation. But I do agree with the vet that if the tooth is bad the cat will have to take a nap to have it pulled. Cats absolutely hate having their mouth touched, and if you can imagine a squirming freaking out cat while the doctor is trying to take out a tooth. Its not a pretty picture. Its safer for the vet and the cat if it is asleep. Also, when my cat was underweight I went to the vet and got a really good canned food that provides extra fat. Its really good for cats before or after surgery. I know it is D. I cannot remember the brand at the moment but if you look it up it should not be difficult to find. All my cats love the taste of it. But they only sell it at a vets office. That should help her pack on the pounds quickly. But with so much fat you have to watch out for diarrhea. Lets just say its a good supplement for their regular food.

It sounds as if all of her health problems stem from the condition of her teeth and gums. While there is always a risk from anesthesia, I think it would be best for her overall health to have the procedure done. If you don't, then she will not improve. The infections will come back. The teeth will rot out and the heart murmur will get worse. Her weight will also continue to decline. Ask your vet about using only gas anesthesia (no injectable) so that if she shows any signs of distress while under, they can immediately take her off and give her oxygen. That is typically the safest solution. Good luck!

I can very much empathize with you. I assure you that your daughter will be very closely monitored. My daughter will be 6 on 6/13. She was born with a cleft lip/palate and has had 7 surgeries before the age of 5, so far. Her first was when she was 3 months old. It's been a very challenging experience, I must say. But we trust her surgeon very much, she's always in very good hands. I wish your gal all the best. Hang in there. You and she will get through it. Sorry, I missed part of your post!... As for watching, most surgeons don't allow the parents to be in the room when their child is put under. Our's doesn't, and it's for good reason. It would be way too difficult. It doesn't make you a bad Mom by all means. It makes you human. Good luck!

Wait a few weeks, have a blood test done before the surgery and then make sure that the vet uses a blood pressure monitor or something similar After this, I would go for it