Cat needs some dental work (tartar removal) - £234?

mouseymousey99

My cat had some teeth out a few months ago (she is 13) it was £99. But - I've known the vet for years and she knows we have other cats and are on a low budget. Would it be worth having a chat with your vet? Please do get it done though - their is nothing worse than toothache if you've ever had it yourself you will know

clipclop_2

Your cat might not even need extractions, is he/she eating ok? Its likely the vet has just looked at his/her teeth seen they could do with a scale and polish and is pushing for it, i would definately seek another vets (from another practice) opinion, if you ask to see another vet at the same place its highly unlikely they will disagree with their college even if they dont necessarily agree
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bacardi66

When my cat was about 8 (I think) I was told that he would need a full dental under general anaesthetic. I was very reluctant to put him through an anaesthetic as I had previously lost a cat shortly after one so I started feeding him Hills Science Oral care dried food as well as his normal wet food.

Well since then every time I go to the vet they remark on his fantastic teeth and no one has ever mentioned him needing any dental work since! He is 17 now and has a full set of great teeth.

But obviously all cats are different and perhaps your cat's teeth at 10 really do need a proper dental. I would definitely get another vet's opinion, not only can the prices really vary from vet to vet but so can the advice.

Gingham_R

Having had scales done on several cats, and tooth extractions on a couple of them - including one who lost over half his teeth - I wouldn't expect to pay anywhere near that. I'm pretty sure we've never paid over £100 for that sort of work.

(Also, some breeds are more prone to this sort of problem.)

blizeH

Huge thanks for the replies guys, interesting that it seems to be overpriced for what a lot of you are paying, but also particularly interesting that some of you seem to think that brushing and an introduction of something like Hills Science Oral (will pop into Petsathome and get some of this later) could help just as much.

I just phoned the vet to ask if he definitely needed a dental, explained that I not only wasn't overly keen on the cost, but also the fact it'd mean an entire day for him in the vets (he's very nervy, probably due to spending 6 months in an animal shelter) and going under anesthetic, but she still said that it would help, but only once he'd already had the dental since me brushing his teeth, or the Hills Science Oral biscuits won't actually help remove the plaque he has.

Not sure if that's right though, on a humans teeth surely regular brushing, and exclusively eating things that help your teeth, would help remove any plaque/tartar? How is a cat different?

Gingham_R

blizeH wrote: »

Not sure if that's right though, on a humans teeth surely regular brushing, and exclusively eating things that help your teeth, would help remove any plaque/tartar? How is a cat different?

The tartar is already there. Starting a regime of tooth cleaning will not get rid of it - for that there needs to be a descaling which the dentist would do without an anaesthetic but vets obviously need to.

Is there another practice nearby where you can get a second opinion and another quote for cost?

blizeH

Many thanks, and I've called around, one local surgery quoted the same price, and the other said they couldn't give a quote without a £35 consultation! So dragging him to the vets yet again probably wouldn't do any good. For what very little it's worth, his front teeth are fine, it's just right at the very back on one side, but still not something we could fix I guess ourselves.

Gingham_R

blizeH wrote: »

Many thanks, and I've called around, one local surgery quoted the same price, and the other said they couldn't give a quote without a £35 consultation!

:eek:Not good. I guess if they're all sticking to the same fees they can charge whatever they like. I think that is FAR too high but it looks like you don't have many options.

rita-rabbit

I recommend regular application of Logic Oral Hygiene gel to their gums - I put it on my two moggies (with a cotton wool bud) & some of the tartar melted! I haven't been told they need a dental since I started doing it - previously I was warned one was on the verge of needing it & now they say they are fine.