Sometimes it is necessary to remove the diseased tooth to cure the pain and discomfort a cat might suffer. Although there are alternative dental solutions like tooth filling, root canal therapy, and orthodontic treatments, they are effective only in the early stages of tooth damage. At an advanced stage of a dental condition, your vet mostly suggests a tooth extraction surgery.
Even when you can’t completely avoid a dental condition, being on top of your cat’s dental routine and taking your cat for bi-annual oral/dental checkups can slow the progression of dental disease. It might hurt to see your cat in such a vulnerable condition; however, the dental diagnostics and treatment costs can agonize you more.
Consider purchasing pet insurance for cats that includes dental cover, so the unplanned hefty dental bills are more manageable. Pet health insurance is available in various levels of cover, and the policies that cover dental conditions are comparatively costly. So, assess your furball’s health needs and your budget to purchase a suitable cat plan.
Meanwhile, read answers to these frequently asked questions about teeth extraction surgery in cats. Perhaps, some of your doubts will be cleared.
1.What should my cat eat after teeth extraction surgery?
Provide your furball soft food for a few weeks post teeth extraction. You can offer dry kibble soaked in water or chicken broth, wet food, and semi-moist food. Follow your vet’s feeding instructions to help alleviate your furball’s trauma and promote healing.
Additionally, your vet can advise a special therapeutic oral/dental care diet. These formulated diet plans help lower the chances of recurrence of dental disease. In short, these diets help maintain positive dental conditions.
However, it is worth noting that these special diets aren’t a substitute for dental health routines and checkups. Still, they can reduce the risks associated with dental problems.
2.What to do after tooth extraction surgery?
The effects of local anesthesia used in your cat’s mouth during the surgery can last six hours to a day. Mostly your vet will suggest orally administering a pain killer to help manage your cat’s pain once this period elapses, by the end of which the anesthesia effects wear off.
3.Is there nothing to worry about after this?
You must monitor your cat vigilantly after the teeth extraction surgery. Look out for signs that indicate your cat is still in pain. For instance, excessive vocalization, pawing at the mouth, denying meals, drooling, withdrawing from social situations, and lethargy should be concerning. Contact your vet to understand the basis of such behaviors and seek further medical advice. One word of advice, never stop the medication unless your vet instructs, even if your cat appears to be recovering rapidly.
4.In how many days will my cat recover?
Most vets schedule follow-up visits after a week or two post teeth extraction surgery. Don’t skip follow-up vet visits because they are as important as the surgery. The healing rate depends on post-operative care, and your vet should look in your cat’s mouth to confirm things are fine for the cat. Usually, it takes only a few moments to examine the healing progress.
Before using a dental product, speak with your vet. Now, you don’t want your cat to suffer from new problems by picking the wrong product. To navigate through all this, consider having a medical financial backup in terms of pet health insurance covering dental issues. Pet insurance for cats can significantly lower your financial stress during unplanned vet visits and health emergencies. So, consider signing up for a suitable pet policy now.
