Today we took our 15yr old cat to the vet and the vet told us he has two abcessed teeth. They would have to put him under to to what they do to fix it, we are worried since he is so old that he may not make it and not wake up. But at the same time we want him to get his teeth fixed because of the pain ect. Should I be worried about this??
2007-03-27 21:29:24 · 9 answers · asked by Jessica 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Firstly all anaesthetics do carry a risk, but most vets to have the latest in what I call knock out drugs. There is a particular type called Rapinovet that is very safe. Another good call would be to have a Pre-Anaesthetic blood test to check the liver and kidneys are ok before under going a GA. The liver and kidneys process the anaesthetic and if these are all in good working order it's a better chance things will go to plan. If these were slightly abnormal then your cat can be placed on a I.V Drip to aid her through-out the GA. They will have an emergency kit on site so that if any thing un-toward was to happen they have adrenaline etc to revive her. I know this a big worry but I feel you have to do it because you know how painful a tooth ache is but with it being abscessed as well it's gotta hurt ! Good luck - Let us know how things go.
2007-03-27 21:43:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand your concerns completely. My cat had to have 4 extractions last year apart from having his teeth cleaned. I pestered several vets about anesthesia, and the actual protocol when a cat goes under anesthesia to have his teeth cleaned. My cat was 8 yrs old then and considered a "senior." To ensure my kitty's safety as far as I could manage it:
1. I asked the vet to check his heart for any murmurs or other abnormalities. My cat passed that.
2. I asked for a bloodtest to determine if his organs (kidney, liver etc.) are functioning well. My cat passed that.
3. I asked the vet to use the safest gas anesthesia - "Isoflurane."
4. I asked the vet to use the safest induction agent possible.
5. I insisted on full organ and vitals monitoring while my cat is under anesthesia - fortunately, my vet does that as a matter of course in all his surgical procedures.
My cat was fine after the dental procedure - very much in pain, but fine and heaps happier about his teeth days later. I'm glad I had it done.
If your vet tells you that your cat is fit enough to undergo anesthesia, then you and your kitty just need to "bite the bullet" and go ahead with it. The rewards of having it done is immeasurable: kitty will no longer be in pain; he can eat better; he will be and feel healthier.
2007-03-27 21:56:39 · answer #2 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quite so, the best person to ask is the vet. The fact that she's old does not in itself make the anaesthetic riskier, it's just that with age tend to come renal/liver/thyroid/diabetic problems. Most vets will perform a pre-anaesthetic blood test on older animals to check on these conditions - if she is healthy there is no real reason she can't be anaesthetised.
My cat had a dental at 16 and she was fine, her pre-ops were all clear.
Chalice
2007-03-27 21:38:59 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is a little old for that, but it is not impossible. Usually though they do it when there is no other choice, because there is a high risk. At least check his renal function, liver and heart with a blood test before the anaesthesia. I really can't tell you if he'll be OK or not, maybe if the anaesthesia is very light and the vet is a very good and careful anaesthesiologist it can be done, but only the vet can tell you. There is a high risk factor, though.
2007-03-27 22:24:36 · answer #4 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a question for the vet. He knows from the exam if in his professional opinion the cat is in good enough health to be put under.
2007-03-27 21:34:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes and if the vet isn't you need a new vet. They should have already mentioned doing lab work and checing out his heart prior to the surgery unless this has recently been done. If he is healthy otherwise his age alone doesn't automatically rule out anesthesia.
2007-03-27 22:04:08 · answer #6 · answered by barbara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is always a risk of being put under but I think you should ask your vet about this....Good Luck to you and your cat.
2007-03-28 01:36:19 · answer #7 · answered by sky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mm, yes. i would go through with it because of the pain. if he didn't wake up well justthink that if he was alive he would be in pain.
2007-03-27 23:33:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
how much do you trust your vet?
2007-03-27 23:58:25 · answer #9 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋