Dental for cats?

KatBudz · 12-09-2011, 08:29 PM

I want to get both of my cats dentals. My 7 year old female Kiichi isnt too bad, her teeth have always been decent. But my male Sam who just turned 3 has always had really bad gums and teeth. i adopted him when he was 6 months old and he already had gingivitis and bad teeth. But now that hes 3, hes obviosuly gotten worse. I've thought about dentals in the past but never really looked into it too much until now. Im assuming someone on this forum has had a cat who needed a dental cleaning done at one time or another.

How much do dentals usually cost? What should I look for in a good vet for dental work? Iv been calling around, but no vets will quote me over the phone which is lame, they want me to bring my cats in for a physical first. I wouldnt get it done where I live because the vets in my area are ridiculously over priced, I would most likely go to either Toronto or Brantford.

Iv tried switching my cats to raw, but its nearly impossible, and at this point, brushing wont do anything, especially for Sam, they both need their teeth scaled, and Im sure some of Sams teeth would have to be extracted. Any info any of you might have on dental would be so helpful!

**marie73** · 12-09-2011, 09:25 PM

Here in the states, February is pet dental month, and there's usually a 20% discount, which is what I'm waiting for to get Cleo's teeth cleaned. It is ridiculous that you can't get at least an estimate. My vet will give me a written "starter" estimate and then the price of everything that can be added on, such as teeth being pulled. The most expensive thing is the anesthesia.

I think dentals start at about $350 in San Diego.

KatBudz · 12-09-2011, 09:50 PM

350... hopefully in my area it is cheaper. Hmm, I wonder if my area does a special for dental month, I never thought of that.

**marie73** · 12-09-2011, 09:58 PM

I did a quick search online and some sites said their vets (in Canada) also observed February as cat dental month. It would be worth checking out.

laurief · 12-10-2011, 01:25 AM

$350 is the cheapest dental I've ever heard of. I have, however, heard of dentals priced as high as $1600-$2000.

Consider yourself fortunate, indeed, if you can find a vet who will do a competent dental scaling for a mere $350.

Laurie

spotty cats · 12-10-2011, 01:33 AM

I would expect to pay minimum $500 with extractions, perhaps when you call for quotes make it clear that you understand it's just a base price and there are loads of variations in the price based on what needs to be done.

**marie73** · 12-10-2011, 03:40 AM

Just looked it up, Gigi's final cost was $680 back in June. She had teeth pulled, too.

I think "starting at $350" was a couple years ago......

princessbear · 12-10-2011, 07:10 AM

Funny that this topic comes up less than a week before Mimi goes in for her SECOND dental in 3 months! The first was in September, shortly after I adopted her - upon examination at her checkup, it was discovered that her upper left canine was falling out, loose and abscessed! A week later she was in for an extraction (which turned out to be 3 extractions) and a cleaning. All told, that bill was $510. Because she has tooth resoprtion (FORL), I was referred to a veterinary dental practice in the area for xrays because her mouth still seemed to be bothering her 2 months later. My vet doesn't have a dental xray machine. The consultation for the veterinary dentist was $130, plus pre-anesthesia bloodwork for a total of $295. She goes back in Thursday for xrays, ANOTHER cleaning because she already has tarter buildup, and at least one extraction - the lower canine where the upper one was extracted is impinging on her upper lip and the lip is getting stuck on the canine, giving her an Elvis-type scowl. All told, for the procedure this Thursday - it will cost me between $1100 and $1500! The dental vet suggested filing the lower canine down and doing a root canal on it for an additional $600 - and I said absolutely NOT! This would require twice yearly visits with anesthesia for xraying the root canal to make sure it is okay - and because she has tooth resorption, the tooth will end up being pulled eventually. I'm opting for the extraction. These specialists sure are expensive - but my girl is worth every penny.

The technician also showed me how to brush Mimi's teeth - it's been a long, slow process of "training" her and I'm still not at the point where I am introducing toothpaste yet, but we are getting there.

Good luck with your cat's dental - I do strongy suggest that whereever you go, you make sure they have xrays done if there are any extractions. I love my vet, they are attentive, thorough and never make me feel like I am a neurotic PITA, but I won't have them do any more dental work because of the lack of xrays, which I've found out is important to make sure that no fragments are left after extraction, among other things.

KatBudz · 12-10-2011, 08:30 PM

Well, I better start saving up now haha. Ill put away $1000 for both cats, and hopefully that will be enough. I would get pet insurance, but most dont even cover dental work, which is really too bad.

KatBudz · 12-11-2011, 10:19 AM

There are two clinics in Simcoe, Ontario who start dental cleanings at $100 for cats. My friend goes to one as it is her regular vet and she says they are amazing. The one clinic even works with a greyhound rescue for teeth cleaning. Apparently there is a one month waiting list to even get an appointment because they do so many dental cleanings. I would rather make the one hour drive then pay a minimum of $350 for each cat at a local vet!

12-09-2011, 08:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
KatBudz Tom Cat Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 386	Dental for cats? I want to get both of my cats dentals. My 7 year old female Kiichi isnt too bad, her teeth have always been decent. But my male Sam who just turned 3 has always had really bad gums and teeth. i adopted him when he was 6 months old and he already had gingivitis and bad teeth. But now that hes 3, hes obviosuly gotten worse. I've thought about dentals in the past but never really looked into it too much until now. Im assuming someone on this forum has had a cat who needed a dental cleaning done at one time or another. How much do dentals usually cost? What should I look for in a good vet for dental work? Iv been calling around, but no vets will quote me over the phone which is lame, they want me to bring my cats in for a physical first. I wouldnt get it done where I live because the vets in my area are ridiculously over priced, I would most likely go to either Toronto or Brantford. Iv tried switching my cats to raw, but its nearly impossible, and at this point, brushing wont do anything, especially for Sam, they both need their teeth scaled, and Im sure some of Sams teeth would have to be extracted. Any info any of you might have on dental would be so helpful!

12-09-2011, 09:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
marie73 Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 27,447	Here in the states, February is pet dental month, and there's usually a 20% discount, which is what I'm waiting for to get Cleo's teeth cleaned. It is ridiculous that you can't get at least an estimate. My vet will give me a written "starter" estimate and then the price of everything that can be added on, such as teeth being pulled. The most expensive thing is the anesthesia. I think dentals start at about $350 in San Diego. __________________ Marie, and Always in my heart, my lovely Cinderella, running free at the Bridge. http://www.catforum.com/forum/member...signature2.jpg

12-09-2011, 09:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
marie73 Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 27,447	I did a quick search online and some sites said their vets (in Canada) also observed February as cat dental month. It would be worth checking out. __________________ Marie, and Always in my heart, my lovely Cinderella, running free at the Bridge. http://www.catforum.com/forum/member...signature2.jpg

12-10-2011, 03:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
marie73 Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 27,447	Just looked it up, Gigi's final cost was $680 back in June. She had teeth pulled, too. I think "starting at $350" was a couple years ago...... __________________ Marie, and Always in my heart, my lovely Cinderella, running free at the Bridge. http://www.catforum.com/forum/member...signature2.jpg

12-09-2011, 09:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
KatBudz Tom Cat Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 386	350... hopefully in my area it is cheaper. Hmm, I wonder if my area does a special for dental month, I never thought of that.

12-10-2011, 01:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
laurief Cat Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: northern Minnesota Posts: 2,576	$350 is the cheapest dental I've ever heard of. I have, however, heard of dentals priced as high as $1600-$2000. Consider yourself fortunate, indeed, if you can find a vet who will do a competent dental scaling for a mere $350. Laurie

12-10-2011, 01:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
spotty cats Cat Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 211	I would expect to pay minimum $500 with extractions, perhaps when you call for quotes make it clear that you understand it's just a base price and there are loads of variations in the price based on what needs to be done.

12-10-2011, 07:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
princessbear Tom Cat Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hudson, Massachusetts Posts: 341	Funny that this topic comes up less than a week before Mimi goes in for her SECOND dental in 3 months! The first was in September, shortly after I adopted her - upon examination at her checkup, it was discovered that her upper left canine was falling out, loose and abscessed! A week later she was in for an extraction (which turned out to be 3 extractions) and a cleaning. All told, that bill was $510. Because she has tooth resoprtion (FORL), I was referred to a veterinary dental practice in the area for xrays because her mouth still seemed to be bothering her 2 months later. My vet doesn't have a dental xray machine. The consultation for the veterinary dentist was $130, plus pre-anesthesia bloodwork for a total of $295. She goes back in Thursday for xrays, ANOTHER cleaning because she already has tarter buildup, and at least one extraction - the lower canine where the upper one was extracted is impinging on her upper lip and the lip is getting stuck on the canine, giving her an Elvis-type scowl. All told, for the procedure this Thursday - it will cost me between $1100 and $1500! The dental vet suggested filing the lower canine down and doing a root canal on it for an additional $600 - and I said absolutely NOT! This would require twice yearly visits with anesthesia for xraying the root canal to make sure it is okay - and because she has tooth resorption, the tooth will end up being pulled eventually. I'm opting for the extraction. These specialists sure are expensive - but my girl is worth every penny. The technician also showed me how to brush Mimi's teeth - it's been a long, slow process of "training" her and I'm still not at the point where I am introducing toothpaste yet, but we are getting there. Good luck with your cat's dental - I do strongy suggest that whereever you go, you make sure they have xrays done if there are any extractions. I love my vet, they are attentive, thorough and never make me feel like I am a neurotic PITA, but I won't have them do any more dental work because of the lack of xrays, which I've found out is important to make sure that no fragments are left after extraction, among other things.

12-10-2011, 08:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
KatBudz Tom Cat Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 386	Well, I better start saving up now haha. Ill put away $1000 for both cats, and hopefully that will be enough. I would get pet insurance, but most dont even cover dental work, which is really too bad.

12-11-2011, 10:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
KatBudz Tom Cat Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 386	There are two clinics in Simcoe, Ontario who start dental cleanings at $100 for cats. My friend goes to one as it is her regular vet and she says they are amazing. The one clinic even works with a greyhound rescue for teeth cleaning. Apparently there is a one month waiting list to even get an appointment because they do so many dental cleanings. I would rather make the one hour drive then pay a minimum of $350 for each cat at a local vet!

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