Dental care is a vital part of the ongoing care your cat needs to stay healthy. Without proper care, or in the case of certain conditions, your cat may need to have a tooth removed. Here, our Perry vets discuss tooth extraction surgery in cats, and what to expect after and during recovery.
Cat Dental Surgery
Your cat's oral health is important to their overall health and well-being. Your cat uses their mouth, teeth, and gums to eat and vocalize, so when their oral structures are diseased or damaged, and stop functioning properly, they will experience pain, which will interfere with their ability to eat and communicate normally.
Also, the bacteria and infections that cause many oral health issues in cats won't remain in their mouth. Left untreated, the infection and bacteria from your cat's mouth may begin to circulate throughout their body, damaging organs such as their kidneys, liver, and heart, and leading to more serious impacts on your feline friend's overall health and longevity. Routine dental exams can help monitor your cat's overall oral health and note signs of dental conditions before they become too serious. These dental exams for your cat are much like when you visit your dentist.
A comprehensive dental exam consists of:
- Probing the teeth and gumline to measure the depth of the pockets
- Taking X-rays of the teeth, soft tissue, and bone to help visualize tooth roots and dental ligaments
- Extracting (removing) any diseased teeth
- Scaling and polishing (cleaning) the teeth
- Assessing oral tumors and abnormalities
In some cases, your vet may discover a serious issue affecting a tooth, resulting in your cat needing dental surgery. This procedure is known as a tooth extraction. To determine if removal is the right course of action, your vet will note the signs and complete their examination. After that, they will likely perform additional diagnostics to confirm their findings.
Once confirmed, they will share the information and treatment plan with you before scheduling (or performing, if time permits) the dental surgery. Your vet will also perform pre-anesthetic bloodwork before the surgery to ensure that your cat is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.
Signs of Complications After Tooth Extraction Surgery
Sutures are used to close gum tissue where teeth have been removed during your cat’s surgery. These sutures often dissolve on their own to avoid having another round of anesthesia for suture removal. In some cases, gum tissue is left open to drain and heal.
Some signs that something has gone wrong after took extraction surgery include:
- A foul odor coming from your cat’s mouth
- A slight swelling on the lower or upper jawline or under the eye area
- The eye may seem to bulge or protrude from your cat’s head
- Refusal of food
- Drainage from the nose or mouth
- General sluggishness
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth or rubbing their face on the ground
- Dropping food while eating
Antibiotics may have already been sent home with you to prevent infection, but call your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs.
What can your cat eat after a tooth extraction?
Offer soft foods for several days after your cat’s tooth extraction surgery. These include moist food, semi-moist food, and even kibble that is soaked in water.
Speak with your veterinarian about any special feeding instructions after surgery to help decrease your cat’s discomfort and pain and encourage healing.
Your veterinarian may also recommend changing your cat’s diet to a therapeutic dental or oral care diet. These diets have been formulated and balanced to help control and decrease the incidence of dental disease.
Dental diets are not a replacement for dental examinations, but they can help decrease the risks associated with dental disease.
How can you manage your cat's pain after dental surgery?
Locally injected numbing agents may have been used in your cat’s mouth to control pain during the tooth extraction surgery. Those local blocks can last anywhere from 6-24 hours, depending on the medication given.
After these blocks wear off, you will likely be instructed to give your cat oral medication to control the pain at home.
Do not stop giving medications unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian.
How long is recovery after cat tooth extraction surgery?
Recovery for cats after tooth extraction surgery usually takes about two weeks. Many vets schedule a follow-up to assess the healing process after about a week. Sometimes, sedation is necessary, but the examination is usually quick and simple.
What can you do to prevent the need for tooth extractions?
To prevent future cat tooth extractions, your veterinarian may suggest certain products and activities to reduce plaque accumulation. These may include:- Dental treats
- Therapeutic dental diets
- Water additives
- Toothbrushing
- Mouth rinsing
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.