Cat question with loose tooth

[Richard]

I hate it when things happen on Saturday's and our vet is closed! (I really don't want to go to the emergency Vet if I can help this)

I just noticed that our cat's lower canine tooth (one of them) is evidently pointing out his mouth.

Essentially, it looks like it's been rotated in its socket and he's now trying to "work it" like he has peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth.

I'm guessing it's going to have to come out but other than acting like he's got peanut butter stuck on top of his mouth, there are ZERO indications he's in pain.

Emergency vet is 40 minutes away and probably expensive.

I'm pretty sure I could get him into my vet on Monday.

Since he doesn't appear to be in any pain, what say you?

I'm guessing this happened today. My wife was cuddling with him just this morning and we didn't notice this.

You can see the tooth protruding from his mouth.

Again....right now as I'm typing, I just discovered this and he's as calm as calm can be.... just laying on my desk like he always does. I wouldn't have even known this (by his actions) had I not noticed that he had "a string hanging from his lip"

 

[Fuddy1952]

We have cats.
We're not veterinarians or experts, but what I would do is once you're holding him, and he's relaxed you should be easily able to squeeze the back of his neck, then other hand thumb/index finger gently squeeze at back, where jaw hinges and he should open his mouth.
We check ours like that. If it's red and has inflammation we may have a 24 hour clinic. We do about 15 miles away. Our local vet is about 6m away when we call her she'll meet us at her office.
If it's not inflamed and extremely loose I'd pull it so he doesn't swallow it accidentally.
We've had cats loose teeth, it's usually no big deal.
One thing if it's just loose, no inflammation, I'd roll him up in a towel first. We have five right now...if you're gentle, talk to them, you can work on them.
Ours I keep their claws trimmed, brush their teeth, baths...they're no problem.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Spell check goofed my reply, but basically if red and inflammation, I would get him to vet, otherwise if very loose...pull it. If not inflammed, not very loose, then veterinarian on Monday.

 

[plowhog]

pull it.

I've had cats before. That would be quite something .... can you get a video?

 

[Fuddy1952]

I'd be pulling a good tooth!
Cats are great, as are all animals...my opinion. Ours I've pulled real loose ones simply by hand, or pliers if necessary.

 

[RobertBrown]

He'll figure it out.......just leave it alone.
Watch for signs of infection, but I'm guessing that tooth will be gone soon and you will be wondering why you were worried.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Poor kitty! One of my cats has had teeth pulled and not many left. It makes eating difficult for the cat.

My vet is great but that whole industry is by and large just out to rip off animal lovers any way they can. It's a real shame.

 

[Richard]

I called the emergency vet. She said as long as he doesn't appear to be stressed or in pain at all (he doesn't), then to just wait until Monday and go to our regular vet. If he seems to be stressing or in pain....bring him in.

So I have a plan "A" and "B" now...

I've never seen this happen to a cats tooth.

 

[Richard]

My vet is great but that whole industry is by and large just out to rip off animal lovers any way they can. It's a real shame.

I had that feeling once.

Wife brought a stray dog home, dog was leaking just a bit. Took him to our vet. Ended up spending $1,500 on her before our Vet decided & recommended we take her to UT (University of TN Vet School where they do more in depth procedures) and have a urethera collegen injection.

No problem. Took her to UT and they ran a battery of tests (happened to be EXACTLY what he did). THEY charged me $1,500 and then came out and said "yes.... after the tests we've done, we recommended she have a urethera collegen injection....we think it might help" (cost was another $1,500)

I went pretty ballistic on them telling them that was the EXACT reason why I was here and they wasted $1,500 doing the same tests that my vet (their prior student) did....

"Well, we're a teaching school and our students have to learn the process"

'Well, they can learn on a new case, not when it's coming in on a referral.... You know that $1,500 will buy a LOT of doggie-diapers"

Paid their bill, walked out and just kept her in diapers.

 

[plowhog]

that whole industry is by and large just out to rip off animal lovers.

There are veterinarians that run a business, and there are businessmen who happen to practice in the veterinary industry. If you hear words like "gold standard care," go find a vet that is running a business, not the other way around.

 

[Fuddy1952]

My wife, looking at picture, thinks your cat probably was hit by something.
If he will let you I would still look carefully to see what's going on.

 

[Richard]

He's usually pretty casual about being "man handled" (will even let you rub his belly for a brief while before getting annoyed and standing up unlike a prior cat we had that would go into immediate claws & daggers at your hand!)

Anyways... I was able to grab the tooth between two fingers and that pressure (understandably) seemed to put him into pain, he didn't seem to like it at ALL.

Doing "nothing" with him, he seems absolutely fine. Just this morning, was sitting on my desk eating his breakfast (we feed him on the desk so the dogs won't push him aside and eat his food.....he can have peace & quiet while eating)

He's currently just laying over where he lays in the mornings.... I would have zero indications of any issues had I not seen it.

We're planning on taking him to our vet tomorrow. I'm guessing he'll go even if the tooth falls out just to try to be sure everything else is ok.

 

[Richard]

Some of his favorite sleeping spots.... (fortunately he doesn't do the toilet now that it's installed)

He loves laying on my desk.... yes.... sometimes right in my way.

Perhaps it might be better worded that he sometimes allows me to use his lounge??

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

What a great kitty. I'm sure he'll be fine but I'll bet you can't wait 'til Monday.....

 

[plowhog]

Perhaps it might be better worded that he sometimes allows me to use his lounge??

I remember the quote: "Dogs have owners; cats have staff."

Any update on your kitty? All well?

 

[bunyip]

Have had cats uin the past and pulling a tooth by hand is fine if you don't mind a shredded limb, they are deceptively fast.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Have had cats uin the past and pulling a tooth by hand is fine if you don't mind a shredded limb, they are deceptively fast.

True, which is why you wind them in a towel then squeeze back of their neck.
We always had dogs, then I met my wife 46 years ago. I thought cats were worthless compared to dogs, but after having them for years, they're great.

 

[Hiptfarms]

I'd say not to worry that he may swallow the tooth. Heck they swallow the teeth of all of their prey and dont have any issues. I currently have a cat who lost all four canine teeth over time and we wound up having to have all except 2 molars removed due to stomatitus. I resisted the concept of removing his teeth but once we finally had it done, he is actually much happier and healthier. All the inflammation went away and he is much more playful.

Good luck with your boy.

 

[Richard]

"Most" of the rest of the story...

I was at work today and didn't get done until around 5:30.

At 10:00 this morning, my wife took Carrot Top to our Vet. I called around 1;30 to let them know I was working out of town and would be a race against time to get there by 6:00 when they closed but I'd give it **** trying.

She said he was already done (!!!)

So, instead of him having four Canine teeth.... he now has a K-1 tooth. (pardon my investment humor there)

He had one Canine dangling and they pulled it along with two others so now, he's got a single Canine left. I don't know anything else as he won't open and go "ahhhhhhhh" for me while he's eating.

So, I'm still at work... and now realize there's no way I can get to Vet by 6:00. Call my wife's cousin who lives next door and is a great guy. (we always try to help each other when we can AND.... he's retired so he's got time!)

Asked if I could drop a favor on him (yes) so he left to go get the cat. I called the vet (while working and had someone with me) when the gal answered I basically told her who I was and here's my C-card number so Tom could pick up the cat.

Right now, Carrot is on my desk, eating his dinner AND sneaking off to go steal some of the dog's dinner (he seems to prefer theirs)...

And the bottom line?

I have NO idea how much this cost me.

I didn't ask the vet, they didn't tell me and they didn't give my wife's cousin the receipt (I usually don't bother with them)

I'm left currently scratching my head... Did I pay $100? Did I pay $1,200??

Right now, I literally don't know and have no clue.

He's home and acting just as calm as he was before (save for the bandage wrapped around his wrist where they gave him an IV to knock him out)

We'll find out in due time.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Sounds great! Wonder what happened though to Carrot. You could call cc co. & they'll tell you $.
My wife had a tomcat Meese, nicknamed monofang since he only had one tooth.
He did well and made it to 21.