Vincents News
AnimalCare 
Jun 14, 2016 
AnimalCare, NGOs 
0 comments
| Tweet |  |
Vincent had his dental extraction (4 good molars and 2 (already loose) incisors) last Wednesday. It was quite a trying time in the following days because he only started eating after 24 hours. The vet had said most animals eat (even kibble) the moment the anaesthesia wears off. Vincent took 24 hours before he began to eat (forcefed and handfed, intially).
The vet had recommended that kibble be given as it would have less chances of getting stuck in the gum cavity. There was no gum suturing too (this is supposed to decrease the chances of infection settling in). Cats usually swallow kibble whole, they hardly chew. Gradually, in time, despite the extraction of teeth, the gums will harden and these hardened gums can actually crush kibble.
On another note, both Heidi and Daffodil have no more molars at all (they are both very elderly). In fact, both only have one single canine left. We saw Heidi and Daffodil’s respective canines dropping off, actually. Yet, both of them have no problems at all eating even Tuscan kibble (which is bigger in size).
Back to Vincent – he couldn’t bring himself to eat kibble, even Go! which is very small in size. So I gave him wetfood and voila…he started eating after 24 hours! During the 24 hours after surgery, I saw him licking his mouth and pawing his mouth. Poor Vincent, he needed to get used to not having his 4 molars anymore. My heart went out for him, but it was for a greater good – between saving his life and saving his teeth, of course there would be no questions which gets priority.
Before opting for tooth extraction, I had already consulted another vet and he said while he had heard about other options like laser treatment, the success rate was not very good. This vet also recommended tooth extraction (even the good teeth). In fact, he said extract all except the canines (to maintain the jaw).
Vincent’s vet only extracted the 4 molars. Even then, we had already tried other treatments for 2 months before resorting to this. Vincent was beginning to starve himself already – we couldn’t let this go on. I figured I didn’t want him to start to lose weight; it would be better to do the tooth extraction while he was still in prime health so that he would be able to withstand the anaesthesia better and also recover more quickly. Also, the dangers of hepatic lipidosis is very real once a cat goes into starvation mode.
During the weekend, while I was at Pet World, Vincent was let out of the cage every morning so that he could defecate (he only urinated in the litter box in cage, but refused to defecate, that is why we had to let him out). Vincent is a community cat and is not used to being caged. At night, he came back so we caged him until the next morning. This also allowed me to give him his antibiotics twice a day (morning and night).
From the initial hand-feeding, we progressed to him eating on his own. Inititally, he was given Recovery, which is blended soft food. Then, very quickly, he could already eat Monge. And he ate on his own too (no more being handfed).
Now, we no longer cage him. There’s just one more day to go for his antibiotics. Vincent is free and he spends most of his time in the porch. In the morning, he even comes upstairs to wake me up.
It’s going back to “normal” behaviour and I suppose this is a really good sign.
Ginger no longer bullies him now. I think this means Vincent is getting his confidence back because there is no more pain in his gums?
He also allows me to touch his mouth now and I am able to open his mouth quickly to plop in the antibiotic (but he hates swallowing the pill, though). From what I could see, his gums look pink and healthy. It’s not red, inflamed and furious as before. From what I could smell (and this is the best ever news) – there is no more foul smell!! Previously, even after the steroid jabs, he wouldn’t let me touch his mouth area and you could still smell the bad breath.
The bad breath seems to be gone now. At least, for now.
I have started Vincent back on Plague Off and Transfer Factor Advanced Plus. There are quite a number of things I could do for him and feed him and I haven’t quite decided on his maintenance protocol. There’s turmeric, fish oil, nano-silver mouth spray, etc.
There is no cure for stomatitis – only maintenance. It’s an auto-immune disease. In some cases, the simplest treatment works. In some, it resolves itself after teeth drop off naturally. Some even resolves itself without any treatment! It also largely depends on the individual cat and I think, the cat’s pain threshold as well. Some cats just live with it. Some cats cannot and they would rather starve than bear the pain of opening their mouths.
No two cases are alike and the human caregiver would just have to do what’s best for the particular cat.
I’ve spoken directly with a lady who is currently caring for her cat with stomatitis. Her cat also had tooth extraction, and is now well maintained on turmeric and daily tooth-brushing with sodium bicarbonate. The problem is under control and the cat can eat.
As long as a cat with stomatitis can eat – that’s really good enough.
Based on other sharing, I’m inclined towards giving Plague Off. In fact, I’ve started Cow and Indy on Plague Off too. Cow has a bad tooth (which isn’t affecting him in any way!) while Indy has always had some gingivitis.
Last night, Vincent was able to eat Go! kibble! Just a few pellets, for starters.
Another milestone is that he no longer needs to hide under the chair to eat alone. He is confident enough to eat with the rest.
Vincent is such a sensitive cat that I have learnt to measure his wellbeing with his confidence as a yardstick. The more he is unafraid of the others, the better and stronger he is feeling.
At Pet World, Natural Balance was going for a steal, so I bought 6 cans for Vincent. Well, not that Vincent needed it, but I just wanted to give him a treat. Natural Balance is blended food.
Ginger: It’s not fair, why is Vincent given yummy, tasty food?
Ginger, you wouldn’t want to have Vincent’s problem, believe me.
This morning, for the first time after his surgery, Vincent wanted to eat with the rest at the patio!
He not only ate Natural Balance and Monge, but he also ate Go! kibble!! And he polished up the other bowls too.
There is no cure for stomatitis, only maintenance. For some lucky cats, the problem resolves itself…somehow. For others, it is kept at bay.
For me, as long as Vincent is able to eat, I’m happy. If he is also confident and feels well, that would be a great blessing.
Vincent and all of us thank all of you for the healing and positive wishes sent his way. It has certainly helped a lot! Thank you so much!
Source: https://myanimalcare.org/2016/06/14/vincents-news-4/
| Tweet |
|
Facebook Comments