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We all know about Bad Breath In Dogs but I've never had a cat with bad breath. Langley has dental disease but his breath is not bad. he's 11 year old and I have been hesitating for almost 2 years to have his teeth cleaned. I'm afraid he is too old to be put under.
Well, when we do hear about bad breath in cats is tends to be kidney disease related.
I wonder if the lack of bad breath in healthy cats vs dogs has something to do with the way cats actually eat their food, compared to dogs and their grooming sessions following.
Kudzu, I don't think 11 is too old for a dental (assuming bloodwork and etc. are ok). My childhood cat had a dental at like age 16 (and she lived to 19)!
Our Tucker (15) has sort of bad breath and tartar build up. However, he has asthma and a slow-growing lung cancer so I'd rather not put him under if possible. For six months, I've been brushing his teeth daily. It's really made a difference in his breath. (FWIW, he's on an all wet diet.)
If he really needs the dental I'd go ahead and do it at age 11, unless there is some other contraindication. That doesn't seem even close to "too old" to me.
Agree about bad breath. In an older cat especially if you notice bad breath where it wasn't present in the past, it's probably cause for a vet visit (unless you're already treating for kidney disease perhaps).
Well, when my cats are in my face I notice what I call their "stinky kitty breath"...just smells like their food. But we're lucky that they both have healthy teeth. If the cleaning will help with his dental disease I think you should do it. I agree with the others that 11 isn't too old.
Cats do have bad breath but it is worse if they have bad teeth or a gum infection going on. If you suspect or know for a fact that Langley needs a cleaning do not let his age stop you from getting him checked out. Your vet will likely run some bloodwork prior to the procedure to make sure that he is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. If your vet is very familiar with him he will already be aware of any chronic problems Langley may have and your vet would be a very good source of info to find out how safe the anesthesia would be for him. If he is healthy, and has no heart problems he would probably be fine. The blood work would tell the story and then you decide from there. The down side to not having regular dental checks ups is gingivitis, painful gums, red gums, receeding gums, infection leading to loss of teeth - this has happened to several of our guys. I never realized how important it was to check their teeth until they started having problems. If Langley gets to the point where he seems to be having trouble eating - you'll have to do something anyway - so sooner will be better than later in that regard. His age in itself is not the factor - it's his general state of health. I know how hard it is to pull the trigger - trust me!!!!
I couldn't agree more the CFoulke. I don't think cats should have bad breath, if they do it is a sure sign of a problem. Bob had horrible breath last Oct. when we rushed him to the Vet because he stopped eating and was just not himself. He was treated for dehydration and given antibiotics and pain pills for one week. The next week he had his teeth cleaned.
His food was immediately changed from dry only to raw, then to home made raw. He has since had his teeth cleaned again and it going to have it done in Jan. He has gained weight and it very active again. Most importantly, his breath does not smell near as bad as it did, somedays not at all. He still has a few bad days. I baby him with food that is easy for him to eat on those days. He is a brave and strong boy for all the crap he has been dealt. He is doing fine with lots of help from us.
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