Dentals FAQ
If my cat is sick or has another medical problem, can you still do the procedure?
Contact us right away if you see signs of injury or sickness so that we can discuss whether to proceed. If anything significant is found during the pre-surgical exam, we’ll call you to discuss the situation. If the issue is beyond the scope of what we can address in our clinic, we will document it so you can follow-up with your regular veterinarian.
What is the expected cost of the dental?
All dentals start at $225 for radiographs, scaling, and polishing.
For cats requiring extractions, every 15 minutes needed for the procedure is an additional $25. Most procedures take anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on the number and location of teeth needing extracted. All diseased teeth WILL be removed at time of service, unless the patient is doing poorly under anesthesia, in which case the patient will be woken up and a follow up appointment with a full service veterinarian will be recommended.
Additional costs include IV fluids + catheter ($15), antibiotics ($20), and post-op pain medications ($15).
What if my pet is not eating after the surgery?
It is common for pets to have nausea or GI upset following anesthesia.
We recommend:
Try slightly warming canned food
Try Gerber chicken or turkey baby food. This is not a complete diet and should not be maintained long term, but can help stimulate your cat’s appetite.
Petting or stroking your cat at their bowl can help stimulate their appetite
If your cat is still not interested in eating 24 hours after surgery, please text or email us to come up with a plan. We may be able to offer additional medications to help improve appetite.
What about recovery and care after the surgery?
Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with information about caring for your cat after surgery, what complications might look like, and what to do if you have a question or concern. Read this carefully as soon as you receive it. You can contact us at clinic@madisoncatproject.org with any questions.
What do I need to do to get ready for surgery?
We STRONGLY recommend you get pre-anesthetic bloodwork within 6 weeks of the procedure at your full service veterinary clinic to decrease the risk of underlying illness.
After the procedure, your cat will be on a canned food diet only for 14 days. If your cat is not used to eating canned food, we recommend offering a variety of options until a diet is found that is readily eaten.
Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with the specifics of how to get ready. Read this carefully as soon as you receive it. You can contact us at clinic@madisoncatproject.org with any questions.
Is anesthesia necessary for my cat’s dental?
Yes! Anesthesia is required to protect the cat’s airway, decrease pain associated with scaling and extractions, and allow for complete visualization of the tooth to provide proper care.
What happens during a dental surgery?
Dental radiographs are performed to visualize the entire tooth including the root below the gum line to allow for a full assessment of the mouth. The teeth will be scaled and polished and if extractions are necessary, any affected teeth will be removed. If extractions are performed, post-op radiographs will be repeated to check for retained roots.
How do I keep my cat’s teeth healthy after?
At home dental care will not prevent your pet from needing another dental cleaning in the future. It will decrease the frequency of dental cleanings needed and the rate of tartar and plaque buildup. At home dental care can begin 14 days after their dental to allow for healing of the gums.
The best thing you can do is brush your cat's teeth daily. Make sure to use a pet toothbrush or finger brush and enzymatic toothpaste designed for pets, NOT human toothpaste.
If brushing is not an option, dental rinses/water additives or dental treats with a VOHC label are available to help slow the progression of dental disease.
For helpful information regarding toothpaste, treats and toys that reduce tartar accumulation, please visit www.VOHC.org (Veterinary Oral Health Council).