Cat has lost a fang

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Discussion

jurbie

Original Poster:

2,339 posts

200 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
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On Friday evening he casually spat out a fang onto the living room carpet and then carried on as normal with no obvious ill affects. He doesn't seem bothered however twice now I've noticed when eating, something has spooked him which results in him turning tail and legging it to his safe place in the airing cupboard.

I guess the area around the fang might be a little tender so just wondering is there anything else I should do or keep an eye out for. Would a vet visit be in order? The vet has mentioned in the past that the tooth would probably need removing at some point so he's at least saved himself a fairly unpleasant visit for a tooth extraction but I wonder if there might be any complications I need to consider.

FGB

312 posts

91 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
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If it was my cat I'd take it to the vets. If nothing else to get it cleaned up etc.

Doofus

25,732 posts

172 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
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One of ours had a canine removed by an unscrupulous vet, and subsequently another fell out. He's fine. If it were me, I'd keep an eye on it, and make sure he's eating happily. If he is, all good, if not, go to the vets.

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
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If he were mine, I'd take him to the Vet or at least ring for advice

I'd be worried that he could get food stuck in the hole & have complications

But I'm a neurotic cat mum... I'm sure others more qualified could advise better

jurbie

Original Poster:

2,339 posts

200 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
quotequote all
Thanks all, he's a picky eater at the best of times so it's hard to tell if he's off his food but I'll keep an eye on him with a view to taking him to the vets.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
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Doofus said:
One of ours had a canine removed by an unscrupulous vet, and subsequently another fell out. He's fine. If it were me, I'd keep an eye on it, and make sure he's eating happily. If he is, all good, if not, go to the vets.
I am intrigued as to why a vet was unscrupulous for removing a tooth?!

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
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jurbie said:
Thanks all, he's a picky eater at the best of times so it's hard to tell if he's off his food but I'll keep an eye on him with a view to taking him to the vets.
How old is he? If elderly the chances are there was little root left so it should heal over without treatment. A younger cat shouldn't really lose a canine tooth like that so should be checked. The main thing is to check no swelling, redness, bad smell or difficulty eating esp on that side of the mouth (jaw chattering will indicate this) Though A vet check may be sensible just so you know all is well (and ck the other teeth)

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 6th November 18:49

Doofus

25,732 posts

172 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
quotequote all
bexVN said:
I am intrigued as to why a vet was unscrupulous for removing a tooth?!
My (good) Vet retired and sold his practice to a national chain. They were the subject of a tv documentary, and there are many bad stories about them on the net.

In short, his canine didn't need to be removed. He broke the point off when he was about eight months old, and it never caused him any problems. When he was seven years old, he went to the vets (which was run by the chain by this time) for an operation on his back leg, and the vet decided to remove his 'damaged' tooth, without our permission, and charged us two hundred quid for doing it.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
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Doofus said:
bexVN said:
I am intrigued as to why a vet was unscrupulous for removing a tooth?!
My (good) Vet retired and sold his practice to a national chain. They were the subject of a tv documentary, and there are many bad stories about them on the net.

In short, his canine didn't need to be removed. He broke the point off when he was about eight months old, and it never caused him any problems. When he was seven years old, he went to the vets (which was run by the chain by this time) for an operation on his back leg, and the vet decided to remove his 'damaged' tooth, without our permission, and charged us two hundred quid for doing it.
Wow!!! The biggest no no of all,especially if they then charge!! Hope you refused to pay it.

Doofus

25,732 posts

172 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
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bexVN said:
Wow!!! The biggest no no of all,especially if they then charge!! Hope you refused to pay it.
More than that, Mrs Doofus threatened them with all kinds of legal fallout. Needless to say, we changed vets.

It actually had a permanent effect on the poor cat, and he is now absolutely petrified of going to the vets. When my wife picked him up form that particular operation, he was severely stressed, and didn't stop shaking for about three days. One of the aspects of the documentary was about the horrible way the staff treated animals in their care. Hitting dogs to stop them whining, for example. It is now a major expedition for us to take him to the vet, because he gets so stressed.

Edited by Doofus on Sunday 6th November 22:00

jurbie

Original Poster:

2,339 posts

200 months

Monday 7th November 2016
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I took him in this morning and it seems some of the root is still in there so he's back tomorrow for the works including removal of some others and clean and polish of whatever is left behind.

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Monday 7th November 2016
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Poor boy frown

shep1001

4,599 posts

188 months

Monday 14th November 2016
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Doofus said:
My (good) Vet retired and sold his practice to a national chain. They were the subject of a tv documentary, and there are many bad stories about them on the net.

In short, his canine didn't need to be removed. He broke the point off when he was about eight months old, and it never caused him any problems. When he was seven years old, he went to the vets (which was run by the chain by this time) for an operation on his back leg, and the vet decided to remove his 'damaged' tooth, without our permission, and charged us two hundred quid for doing it.
Which chain is this? the one with a number in the middle of their name?

Doofus

25,732 posts

172 months

Tuesday 15th November 2016
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shep1001 said:
Which chain is this? the one with a number in the middle of their name?
No, it's the one which begins with the letters m, e, d and i. Not necessarily (but very possibly) in that order.

shep1001

4,599 posts

188 months

Tuesday 15th November 2016
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Doofus said:
No, it's the one which begins with the letters m, e, d and i. Not necessarily (but very possibly) in that order.
wink

jurbie

Original Poster:

2,339 posts

200 months

Monday 28th November 2016
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A quick update, everything seemed fine despite him now missing his top set of fangs however without them pushing his lips out it appears that his bottom set is cutting his upper lip as per the picture. Any suggestion as to how to manage this?


bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 28th November 2016
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No that is a tricky on, my mum and dad's cat had a similar predicament after losing an upper canine, though he never actually made his lips sore.

You probably need to ask your vet if they have any tips (keeping it clean with eg a chlorhexadine wash will help.)

bomb

3,691 posts

283 months

Monday 28th November 2016
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Our little chap had the teeth in between his fangs removed,( top and bottom), when he was rescued. Not sure what happened to him, but he did get proper dental treatment. Consequently, he now sits with his tongue hanging out as it just slides out ! Quite cute. Hasn't done him any real harm.





Edited by bomb on Monday 28th November 23:02