Cat dentist?

[Small pleasures]

Yeah, I know...people on an escort review board would rather discuss pussy than real cat's but thought I'd give it a go.

I recently discovered that my 14 year old cat needs to see a dentist. My vet gave me an estimate of $1200-$1500. I find this shocking.

If anyone has experience with this, can make any recommendations/give advice I'd appreciate it.

A little more info...the cat is otherwise in excellent health so the thought of putting him down just because he has a potentially, eventually life threatening gum infection/bad teeth seems a bit overkill (pun intended).

He currently doesn't seem to be in discomfort, he eats hard and soft food, no weight loss, etc. But the vet showed me the signs of a bad mouth and assures me that it must be uncomfortable/painful for the cat.

I adore my cat and I give monthly to my #1 charity: the SPCA, but am a realist. I'm from farm country and the idea of spending that kind of money on a pet seems silly to me. The vet didn't offer me any other option. It seems to be all or nothing?

 

[edmontonsubbie]

Yeah, I know...people on an escort review board would rather discuss pussy than real cat's but thought I'd give it a go.

I recently discovered that my 14 year old cat needs to see a dentist. My vet gave me an estimate of $1200-$1500. I find this shocking.

If anyone has experience with this, can make any recommendations/give advice I'd appreciate it.

A little more info...the cat is otherwise in excellent health so the thought of putting him down just because he has a potentially, eventually life threatening gum infection/bad teeth seems a bit overkill (pun intended).

He currently doesn't seem to be in discomfort, he eats hard and soft food, no weight loss, etc. But the vet showed me the signs of a bad mouth and assures me that it must be uncomfortable/painful for the cat.

I adore my cat and I give monthly to my #1 charity: the SPCA, but am a realist. I'm from farm country and the idea of spending that kind of money on a pet seems silly to me. The vet didn't offer me any other option. It seems to be all or nothing?

noooo....not my buddy Cole (even though he dislikes me, but then...I'm a dog....what choice would he have?)....this is impossible! Actually, it's entirely possible and part of that whole circle thing....which you obviously know and realize. I would suspect that the initial quote of $1200 to $1500 is quite reasonable and will only develop into additional fees in an effort to eke out X number of years. I have personal experience with pet owners who overspend in a desperate attempt to keep the pet alive...who doesn't?

Logically, it makes little sense. Emotionally, budgets and figures don't enter the picture. Putting myself into your shoes, and seeking advice from any and all corners, I would hope to get a reply something like......

"Why don't you take him and yourself out for a two day cruise over to the island...ride the ferry each way...indulge yourself in silly things...buy him crazy stuff that makes no sense....take lots of pictures...then take him down to the vet for his final appointment...and book three days off so that no one will see the bloodshot eyes that come from missing someone you love".

most respectfully,

eddie.

 

[Small pleasures]

noooo....not my buddy Cole (even though he dislikes me, but then...I'm a dog....what choice would he have?)....this is impossible! Actually, it's entirely possible and part of that whole circle thing....which you obviously know and realize. I would suspect that the initial quote of $1200 to $1500 is quite reasonable and will only develop into additional fees in an effort to eke out X number of years. I have personal experience with pet owners who overspend in a desperate attempt to keep the pet alive...who doesn't?

Logically, it makes little sense. Emotionally, budgets and figures don't enter the picture. Putting myself into your shoes, and seeking advice from any and all corners, I would hope to get a reply something like......

"Why don't you take him and yourself out for a two day cruise over to the island...ride the ferry each way...indulge yourself in silly things...buy him crazy stuff that makes no sense....take lots of pictures...then take him down to the vet for his final appointment...and book three days off so that no one will see the bloodshot eyes that come from missing someone you love".

most respectfully,

eddie.

If I'm too cheap to get his teeth fixed I'm certainly too cheap to take him on a vacation...

 

[edmontonsubbie]

If I'm too cheap to get his teeth fixed I'm certainly too cheap to take him on a vacation...

I am often wrong. I hold that one thing to be true.

kindest,

eddie.

 

[Aeiyah]

The price seems a bit high to me, based on my experience.

I recently took my 8-year old cat to have his teeth cleaned. In addition to the cleaning, the vet extracted a badly abscessed tooth. The total bill was about $500.

A co-worker's was told her cat needed some teeth extracted. The figure she was quoted was in the $800 - $1,000 range.

 

[Small pleasures]

The price seems a bit high to me, based on my experience.

I recently took my 8-year old cat to have his teeth cleaned. In addition to the cleaning, the vet extracted a badly abscessed tooth. The total bill was about $500.

A co-worker's was told her cat needed some teeth extracted. The figure she was quoted was in the $800 - $1,000 range.

$500-$800 I could deal with. May I have the contact info for your vet/dentist? A big part of the quote seems to be xrays. I'm convinced that there's a cheaper way to deal with the serious problems without doing everything that you would for a human.

Eddie: I appreciate your comments. I should have put a smiley face after my comment about being too cheap to take him on vacation. It was meant to be funny...but true .

 

[Aeiyah]

Vancouver Veterinary Hospital

It's on the corner of Kingsway and King Edward, next door to a Rona Store.

address and phone number are:

1541 Kingsway
604-876-2231

 

[Small pleasures]

Vancouver Veterinary Hospital

It's on the corner of Kingsway and King Edward, next door to a Rona Store.

address and phone number are:

1541 Kingsway
604-876-2231

Thank you.

Anyone else with advice please feel free to share it. Purrrfect.

 

[edmontonsubbie]

$500-$800 I could deal with. May I have the contact info for your vet/dentist? A big part of the quote seems to be xrays. I'm convinced that there's a cheaper way to deal with the serious problems without doing everything that you would for a human.

Eddie: I appreciate your comments. I should have put a smiley face after my comment about being too cheap to take him on vacation. It was meant to be funny...but true .

thank you Miss T...I was short in my reply...but the original reply stands. Ultimately, it is you, the owner, that will need the solace. The pet has seen its days end....and I don't mean to paint veterinarians as a blood sucking money grubbing lot....they are some cool people who work with things that scratch and bite. Just trust the advice, they are professionals, and they see a thousand cases like Cole....I don't mean to diminish things....but....you know what I mean. Anything can be done on the cheap, we have all found that out....you get just about exactly what you pay for.

Cole will need the best of the best....I doubt you would accept less. Only you will be the judge of where it stops. Don`t feel silly about spending the money, you are the one that sleeps with your own self during the evenings....do the best you can.....and remember your logical farm upbringing. Such a dichotomy!!!!....is that that the right word?...I sure hope so...because I really meant to say such a dilemna...but I like that word.

kindest,

eddie.

 

[dan1]

cats, dogs, and other things we let into our lives

Hi

Spending money on your "PETS"

I guess it all depends on what you have signed up for. I have been owned by a number of cats and dogs. As you know dog spelled backwards is "GOD". Cats obviously did not need to be so blatant!

I have damn near bankrupt myself on my cats and dogs. Oh, and as I don't live in the urban centres, factor in 10 - 20 hour drives to the vet (10 on a summer day 20 - 30 on a snowy one). For me, it is a reciprocal relationship. I love them, they take my money. Love is where we find it.

So, T, you need to do what you need to do. No one else, is in your boots today. I am really sorry to hear about your cat. I would like to think that whatever you decide to do, your kitty will understand. It knows it has had a good life, and it loves you.

now i am crying

dan

 

[edmontonsubbie]

Hi

Spending money on your "PETS"

I guess it all depends on what you have signed up for. I have been owned by a number of cats and dogs. As you know dog spelled backwards is "GOD". Cats obviously did not need to be so blatant!

I have damn near bankrupt myself on my cats and dogs. Oh, and as I don't live in the urban centres, factor in 10 - 20 hour drives to the vet (10 on a summer day 20 - 30 on a snowy one). For me, it is a reciprocal relationship. I love them, they take my money. Love is where we find it.

So, T, you need to do what you need to do. No one else, is in your boots today. I am really sorry to hear about your cat. I would like to think that whatever you decide to do, your kitty will understand. It knows it has had a good life, and it loves you.

now i am crying

dan

you need to take the ferry crossing with gratuitous pictures dan.....Cole could never love Miss T....she is just mean....she made me cut up his food....oh wait...that means she LOVES cole....damn.

nice to see you up in the lounge area dan...I would buy you a drink any day....and I don't mean sailor.

kindest,

eddie.

 

[leelee]

What does your cat have?

Small pleasures:

My cat recently had to get all of his teeth extracted. He had a recurring gum disease known as stomatatisis. Is that what your cat has? The only cure is to pull all of their teeth. I was a little hesitant at first; however, ever since I got it done my cat is 100% better. It was worth every penny - I absolutely love my cat!

The bad news is that it cost me $2,000 to extract all of his teeth. Yikes I know that is alot but I feel that it was worth it. Besides, when you work in this business it is not impossible to find that kind of money. I am sure that the animal lovers on this site would help you out by visiting you more frequently.

I would give you my vet info, but I live in Ontario so I doubt that it would be useful.

I hope that your cat gets better.

P.S. if your cat has stomatitisis I can tell you all about its symptoms, conditions, etc. Just drop me a pm.

 

[Small pleasures]

Small pleasures:

My cat recently had to get all of his teeth extracted. He had a recurring gum disease known as stomatatisis. Is that what your cat has? The only cure is to pull all of their teeth. I was a little hesitant at first; however, ever since I got it done my cat is 100% better. It was worth every penny - I absolutely love my cat!

The bad news is that it cost me $2,000 to extract all of his teeth. Yikes I know that is alot but I feel that it was worth it. Besides, when you work in this business it is not impossible to find that kind of money. I am sure that the animal lovers on this site would help you out by visiting you more frequently.

I would give you my vet info, but I live in Ontario so I doubt that it would be useful.

I hope that your cat gets better.

P.S. if your cat has stomatitisis I can tell you all about its symptoms, conditions, etc. Just drop me a pm.

Hmmm, thanks. Stomatitisis / recurring gum disease didn't come up. Seems like a standard older, indoor cat problem. Teeth need to be cleaned, maybe a couple extractions and they want to do a bunch of xrays.

I don't want anyone to interpret this as a plea for business or an omission of financial problems. Being financially secure means you're probably not frivolous your money and I'm honestly just shocked at the cost of dental care. I think it's unreasonable.

I have asked Aeiyah's vet for a quote and I will continue to shop for the best price/best service option. Putting to sleep an otherwise perfectly healthy animal is an option I would still have a hard time dealing with when it came down to reality.

 

[Miss January]

My story is different

My cat had 22 teeth removed,...1800$ later, his demise weeks later..I believe that this sort of condition is an indication of lupas, aids and lukemia,..felines apparently recieve this diagnosis in 3's,...blood tests reveal a positive prognosis,...so check with your Vet. Wish you both the best,.xoxo Sharla

 

[Small pleasures]

My cat had 22 teeth removed,...1800$ later, his demise weeks later..I believe that this sort of condition is an indication of lupas, aids and lukemia,..felines apparently recieve this diagnosis in 3's,...blood tests reveal a positive prognosis,...so check with your Vet. Wish you both the best,.xoxo Sharla

Thanks...blood tests and urine tests all came back clear. (Sorry to hear about you cat.)

 

[festealth]

Just treat the vet as a regular store, just shop around until you find the best rate.
I find that SPCA is more on the pricier side of things (since they have extra costs compared to other vets). I usually go to Atlas when my dog has a little problem, it's on 41st and Fraser. They were on CBC marketplace, talking about how vets charge a large amount and stuff.... if they're open about their pricing, it must be a good sign, lol.

But yeah, just get a copy from your current vet on what is required for your cat and then just go to other places to get a price quote.

Of course, if the price is still high.... your cat is already 14 years old.... and as much as pet owners love their pets, you can't make your pet immortal.

 

[dan1]

Cole?

MT

How is he doing or is he in the place where the mice are always a bit slow?

Eddie

I would gladly accept your offer - soldier

 

[Pantherdash]

Just remember that Veterinarians are NOT regulated by the government which means they can charge whatever their market can bear. They usually take advantage of that and prescribe overpriced medicines that you can make at home.

Panther

 

[westcoast555]

Just do it...

Yeah, I know...people on an escort review board would rather discuss pussy than real cat's but thought I'd give it a go.

I recently discovered that my 14 year old cat needs to see a dentist. My vet gave me an estimate of $1200-$1500. I find this shocking.

If anyone has experience with this, can make any recommendations/give advice I'd appreciate it.

A little more info...the cat is otherwise in excellent health so the thought of putting him down just because he has a potentially, eventually life threatening gum infection/bad teeth seems a bit overkill (pun intended).

He currently doesn't seem to be in discomfort, he eats hard and soft food, no weight loss, etc. But the vet showed me the signs of a bad mouth and assures me that it must be uncomfortable/painful for the cat.

I adore my cat and I give monthly to my #1 charity: the SPCA, but am a realist. I'm from farm country and the idea of spending that kind of money on a pet seems silly to me. The vet didn't offer me any other option. It seems to be all or nothing?

I had to get my cat fixed up... needed dental surgery and had to have some extractions. My cat was 14 and she had stinky breath too.

It's a fair amount of money but if you 'amortize' it over the 14 years that you've had that cat isn't the pleasure and companionship worth it?

For me it's not the money... it's about whether it's your pet's time to go or not. So no, I wouldn't give my cat a liver transplant or put it on dialysis - but fixing the teeth so it doesn't suffer and has a few more good years of life?

Just do it... take care of your kitty.

 

[Small pleasures]

Good news actually! I received quotes from 2 different vets recommended by helpful perbites and both quotes came in closer to $500.

I'm pretty choked that my vet would quote me $1100-$1500. There's no way it should be anywhere near that high.

Coleman will be getting his teeth fixed, at a price I can live with.

Thank you to everyone who helped and cared.

xo