Horrible cat problem

Aveline it’s a hard decision.
Vets now seem to prolong animal life no matter what the cost,
Both in pain for pets and in £’s.
You do what you think is best for him.

This research finding may help with your decision Aveline
‘Following tooth extraction, 37 (39.0%) cats had substantial clinical improvement and 27 (28.4%) cats had complete resolution of stomatitis; of these 64 cats, 44 (68.8%) required EMM for a finite period to achieve positive outcomes.’
15 Mar 2015
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › ...
Effect of tooth extraction on stomatitis in cats: 95 cases (2000-2013) - PubMed

I've just googled the condition and this is an extract ...
"Feline stomatitis is curable in the sense that surgical removal of teeth and affected bone can lead to complete resolution of the pain and inflammation in the mouth, but there are no other medications or treatments that offer a true cure for this disease."
However, I know it would probably be an incredibly expensive procedure. Do you have insurance?
It's such a hard decision. Knowing how much we love our pets I really feel for you

That's the research I mentioned earlier. About 60% benefit to a greater or lesser extent. Sample of only 30 cats. 40% still need medical intervention or are no better. I didn't find it very convincing somehow.

I’m sorry to say I’m very suspicious of some vet practices after they’ve been taken over by ‘big names’. Surgeries will probably have been updated with the latest machinery, but that has to be paid for - by the pet owner’s insurance companies and those owners (like we were) without cover.
As we had a decent amount of knowledge, we argued against certain procedures we knew were unnecessary and in the end, moved to an old fashioned (in thought only) vet who placed the animal’s welfare and quality of life over profit.
All I’ve ever said to friends coming to terms with an elderly or sick pet who is suffering and with little quality of life, is that a day too soon is better than an hour too late.
Difficult decisions ahead Aveline whatever route you chose to go down. Sorry.

I agree Georgesgran. We were a bit startled last time to be told that among other things our cat had feline acne under his chin and had been given ointment for it. We just glanced at it and saw that he didn't have acne. The vet, 'Oh, neither he does. Oh well I'll just take that off the bill.'

I had a cat who had all her teeth extracted. It didn’t limit her one bit. She crunched dry food with her gums.

This is going to sound awful but perhaps the vet sees pound signs in preserving your cat

Because it can is not always because it should

I don't understand why healthy teeth have to be removed .

A different set of circumstances , but one of my cats was hit by a car and it smashed her jaw .
When I picked her up -it was hanging off .
The vet wired it up and removed her teeth .

How I deeply regret sanctioning the surgery .

She had been super active and became very quiet .
It was painful to watch her eating -licking her food from her paws .
We all took it in turns to nurse and pet her and she bit and scratched us .

Within a year , cancer was diagnosed and I had her put down immediately .

Firstlyi am sorry your cat is poorly. 9 is no age for a cat if the surgery would help. Our cats all lived to late teens and my dd has a cat in its early 20s now. We did have a dog which required every tooth to be removed. She was found emaciated weighing half what she should, had mammary tumours and a totally wrotten mouth. She did extremely well after all her surgeries and would eat anything. Her tongue would always be hanging out.
Try to find a vet who hasnt been taken over by the huge business conglomorates as vets working for such companies are “encouraged” towards expensive treatments. Vets tend to be salaried employees who are expected to follow company policy. We only have one local practice left which hasnt been taken over - in fact 3 vets left after their whole working ethos changed overnight after the takeover. Some decided to retire. The 3 who set up the Community Practice had to wait a year before they could practice again. Best wishes to you and your cat with whatever decision you make. Dont doubt yourself you are only wanting what is best for yourcat.

I don't understand why absolutely healthy teeth in great condition should be removed either. I've just googled the meds she gave us and they're not antibiotics as she told us but just anti inflammatories. Also there's not enough for a week as we were told and they still don't have the ointment prescribed (and paid for). Sadly there are no independent vets round us any more. Things just seem to get worse and worse. At least the poor boy still has a good appetite and gobbles up the cat food I lace with the meds. Still drooling and very smelly though. As he tries to clean himself he's spreading the smelly saliva. He's not a treat to be near!

Can you travel to a different vet ? It all sounds very unprofessional at this ladies practice, wrong medication and not enough of it for your payment made
Obviously the poor cat can’t go on like this 9 isn’t a bad age for a cat it is surely middle age at least 60ish he and you can’t live in this smelly limbo

Having read the first part of your post Aveline your poor boy is in a sorry state. Being an auto immune condition it's likely to come back even if he had his teeth taken out.
Imagine if you were suffering like this every minute of every day and night would you want it.
I would get a second opinion from another practice. If there's no full cure then I would have to have him put to sleep.
I know all to well it would break your heart.
I've had five cats over the years and just got the one now. He's fifteen and a half.
I've had to have two cats put to sleep. Both elderly. Both suffering but held on to them because I couldn't bare the thought of it. I, we, knew they were suffering and in hindsight how I wish we had ended their suffering earlier and had them put to sleep.
It was a peaceful ending and gone to sleep in seconds.
Yes, it's an awful decision to make but you have to put yourself in your pets position and make your decision.
I know what mine would be.

A sad update. We're just back from the vets with an empty cat carrier. The vet was very kind and talked through all sorts of alternatives including trying to access interferon but the bottom line was that there was no certainty of improvement far less cure. We didn't want to put him through all sorts of procedures that he wouldn't understand but with not necessarily a positive outcome. Horrible decision to have to make.
He was put to sleep and drifted away with us cuddling him.

I’m sorry to read that, but it was a kindness, RIP puss.

Aveline So sorry to hear about your lovely cat. You did the kindest thing possible for your boy. x

I know it feels horrible to have to do that but you’ve made the best decision you could, in his best interests. Sleep tight, lovely old boy.

Years ago we had an elderly cat who had nearly all his teeth removed. I was concerned he wouldn’t be able to eat but the vet said their gums harden up and they manage fine. That was true, he could eat a bowl of food by the time I walked across the kitchen! He lived several more years.

Thanks. The Grans were really helpful in trying to make up our minds.

Aveline i usually read back to front. So sorry ….. I just saw your updated post.

Aveline I am so sorry to read your update. You've done the kindest thing for your lovely boy. Sending you a hug.

Sorry it came to that Aveline, but at least your lovely cat isn't struggling any more. Taking care of pets includes hard decisions sometimes. Thinking of you tonight.

One of the hardest decisions one ever has to make. So sorry to hear your sad news Aveline but obviously the right thing to do. That unconditional love has to work both ways. 💐

Aveline, I am so sorry to read about your final decision regarding your poorly cat.
I am not a cat lover but I do understand how people become so attached to their animals.
for Aveline and other GNetters with sick animal companions.

Thanks all. I haven't really taken it in that he's gone.